King James Bible Dictionary

Or prediction, was one of the functions of the prophet. It has been defined as a "miracle of knowledge, a declaration or description or representation of something future, beyond the power of human sagacity to foresee, discern, or conjecture." (See PROPHET.)

The great prediction which runs like a golden thread through the whole contents of the Old Testament is that regarding the coming and work of the Messiah; and the great use of prophecy was to perpetuate faith in his coming, and to prepare the world for that event. But there are many subordinate and intermediate prophecies also which hold an important place in the great chain of events which illustrate the sovereignty and all-wise overruling providence of God.

Then there are many prophecies regarding the Jewish nation, its founder Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 13:16; 15:5; 17:2, 4-6, etc.), and his posterity, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants (12:7; 13:14, 15, 17; 15:18-21; Exodus 3:8, 17), which have all been fulfilled. The twenty-eighth chapter of Deuteronomy contains a series of predictions which are even now in the present day being fulfilled. In the writings of the prophets Isaiah (2:18-21), Jeremiah (27:3-7; 29:11-14), Ezekiel (5:12; 8), Daniel (8; 9:26, 27), Hosea (9:17), there are also many prophecies regarding the events which were to befall that people.

There is in like manner a large number of prophecies relating to those nations with which the Jews came into contact, as Tyre (Ezekiel 26:3-5, 14-21), Egypt (Ezekiel 29:10, 15; 30:6, 12, 13), Ethiopia (Nahum 3:8-10), Nineveh (Nahum 1:10; 2:8-13; 3:17-19), Babylon (Isaiah 13:4; Jeremiah 51:7; Isaiah 44:27; Jeremiah 50:38; 51:36, 39, 57), the land of the Philistines (Jeremiah 47:4-7; Ezekiel 25:15-17; Amos 1:6-8; Zephaniah 2:4-7; Zechariah 9:5-8), and of the four great monarchies (Daniel 2:39, 40; 7:17-24; 8:9).

But the great body of Old Testament prophecy relates directly to the advent of the Messiah, beginning with Genesis 3:15, the first great promise, and extending in ever-increasing fulness and clearness all through to the very close of the canon. The Messianic prophecies are too numerous to be quoted. "To him gave all the prophets witness." (Comp. Micah 5:2; Haggai 2:6-9; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6, 7; 11:1, 2; 53; 60:10, 13; Psalms 16:11; 68:18.)

Many predictions also were delivered by Jesus and his apostles. Those of Christ were very numerous. (Comp. Matthew 10:23, 24; 11:23; 19:28; 21:43, 44; 24; 25:31-46; 26:17-35, 46, 64; Mark 9:1; 10:30; 13; 11:1-6, 14; 14:12-31, 42, 62; 16:17, etc.)

Concerning Jesus
Jesus, The Christ, Prophecies Concerning

Concerning church
Church, The Collective Body of Believers, Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of

Inspired
Isaiah 28:22; Luke 1:70; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21

The word of the Lord came unto, etc.

To Elijah
1 Kings 17:8; 1 Kings 21:17; 1 Kings 21:28

To Isaiah
Isaiah 2:1; Isaiah 8:5; Isaiah 13:1; Isaiah 14:28; Isaiah 38:4

To Jeremiah
Jeremiah 1:4; Jeremiah 7:1; Jeremiah 11:1; Jeremiah 13:8; Jeremiah 16:1; Jeremiah 18:1; Jeremiah 25:1-2; Jeremiah 26:1; Jeremiah 27:1; Jeremiah 29:30; Jeremiah 30:1; Jeremiah 30:4; Jeremiah 32:1; Jeremiah 32:6; Jeremiah 32:26; Jeremiah 33:1; Jeremiah 33:19; Jeremiah 33:23; Jeremiah 34:12; Jeremiah 35:12; Jeremiah 36:1; Jeremiah 37:6; Jeremiah 40:1; Jeremiah 43:8; Jeremiah 44:1; Jeremiah 46:1; Jeremiah 49:34; Jeremiah 50:1

To Ezekiel
Ezekiel 3:16; Ezekiel 6:1; Ezekiel 7:1; Ezekiel 11:14; Ezekiel 12:1; Ezekiel 12:8; Ezekiel 12:17; Ezekiel 12:21; Ezekiel 13:1; Ezekiel 14:12; Ezekiel 15:1; Ezekiel 16:1; Ezekiel 17:1; Ezekiel 17:11; Ezekiel 18:1; Ezekiel 20:45; Ezekiel 21:1; Ezekiel 21:8; Ezekiel 21:18; Ezekiel 22:1; Ezekiel 22:17; Ezekiel 22:23; Ezekiel 23:1; Ezekiel 24:1; Ezekiel 24:15; Ezekiel 24:20; Ezekiel 25:1; Ezekiel 26:1; Ezekiel 27:1; Ezekiel 28:1; Ezekiel 28:11; Ezekiel 28:20; Ezekiel 29:1; Ezekiel 29:17; Ezekiel 30:1; Ezekiel 30:20; Ezekiel 31:1; Ezekiel 32:1; Ezekiel 32:17; Ezekiel 33:1; Ezekiel 33:23; Ezekiel 34:1; Ezekiel 35:1; Ezekiel 36:16; Ezekiel 37:15; Ezekiel 38:1

To Amos
Amos 7:14-15

To Jonah
Jonah 3:1

To Haggai
Haggai 2:1; Haggai 2:10; Haggai 2:20

To Zechariah
Zech 1:7; Zech 4:8; Zech 6:9; Zech 7:1; Zech 7:4; Zech 7:8; Zech 8:1; Zech 8:18

Publicly proclaimed
Jeremiah 11:6

Exemplified in pantomime
Jeremiah 26:4; Ezekiel 5:1-4; Acts 21:11

Written by an amanuensis
Jeremiah 45:1

Written in books
Jeremiah 45:1; Jeremiah 51:60

Proof of God's foreknowledge
Isaiah 43:9

Sure fulfillment of
Ezekiel 12:22-25; Ezekiel 12:28; Habakkuk 2:3; Matthew 5:18; Matthew 24:35; Acts 13:27; Acts 13:29

Cessation of
Lamentations 2:9

Of apostasy
1 John 2:18; Jude 1:17-18

Of false teachers
2 Peter 2:3

Of tribulations of the righteous
Revelation 2:10

Concerning the Messiah, and the fulfillment;

Gen. 12.3, And I will bless them that bless thee...
Genesis 12:3; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 22:18; Acts 3:25; Galatians 3:8

Gen. 17.7, And I will establish my covenant...
Genesis 17:7; Genesis 17:19; Genesis 22:16-17; Luke 1:55; Luke 1:72-74

Deut. 18.18, I will raise them up a Prophet...
Deuteronomy 18:15; Deuteronomy 18:18; Acts 3:22-23

Psa. 2.1, Why do the heathen rage...
Psalms 2:1-2; Acts 4:25-26

Psa. 2.7, Thou art my Son...
Psalms 2:7; Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 5:5

Psa. 8.2, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings...
Psalms 8:2; Matthew 21:16

Psa. 8.4, What is man, that thou are mindful of him...
Psalms 8:4-6; Hebrews 2:6-8

Psa. 16.8, I have set the Lord always before me...
Psalms 16:8-11; Acts 2:25-28; Acts 2:31

Psa. 16.10, Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One...
Psalms 16:10; Acts 13:35

Psa. 22.1, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Psalms 22:1; Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34

Psa. 22.18, They part my garments among them...
Psalms 22:18; Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:24

Psa. 22.22, I will declare thy name unto my brethren...
Psalms 22:22; Hebrews 2:12

Psa. 31.5, Into thine hand I commit my spirit...
Psalms 31:5; Luke 23:46

Psa. 41.9, ...hath lifted up his heel against me.
Psalms 41:9; John 13:18; Acts 1:16

Psa. 45.6, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever...
Psalms 45:6-7; Hebrews 1:8-9

Psa. 68.18, Thou hast ascended on high...
Psalms 68:18; Ephesians 4:8-10

Psa. 69.21, ...and in my thirst they gave me vinegar...
Psalms 69:21; Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36; Luke 23:36; John 19:28-29

Psa. 69.25, Let their habitation be desolate...
Psalms 69:25; Psalms 109:8; Acts 1:20

Psa. 95.7, To day if ye will hear his voice...
Psalms 95:7-11; Hebrews 3:7-11; Hebrews 4:3; Hebrews 4:5-7

Psa. 102.25, Of old hast thou laid the foundation...
Psalms 102:25-27; Hebrews 1:10-12

Psa. 110.1, ...until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Psalms 110:1; Matthew 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42; Acts 2:34-35; Hebrews 1:13

Psa. 110.4, Thou art a priest for ever...
Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 5:6

Psa. 118.22, The stone which the builders refused...
Psalms 118:22-23; Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11

Psa. 118.26, Blessed be he that cometh in the name...
Psalms 118:25-26; Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9; John 12:13

Psa. 132.17, There will I make the horn of David...
Psalms 132:11; Psalms 132:17; Luke 1:69; Acts 2:30

Isa. 7.14, Behold, a virgin shall conceive...
Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23

Isa. 9.2, The people that walked in darkness have seen...
Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:15-16

Isa. 9.7, Of the increase of his government...
Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 7:14; Daniel 7:27; Luke 1:32-33

Isa. 11.10, ...there shall be a root of Jesse...
Isaiah 11:10; Romans 15:12

Isa. 25.8, He will swallow up death in victory...
Isaiah 25:8; 1 Corinthians 15:54

Isa. 28.16, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone...
Isaiah 28:16; Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:6

Isa. 40.3, The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness...
Isaiah 40:3-5; Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4-6

Isa. 42.1, Behold my servant, whom I uphold...
Isaiah 42:1-4; Matthew 12:17-21

Isa. 49.6, I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles...
Isaiah 49:6; Luke 2:32; Acts 13:47-48; Acts 26:23

Isa. 53.1, Who hath believed our report...
Isaiah 53:1; John 12:38; Romans 10:16

Isa. 53.3, He is despised and rejected of men...
Isaiah 53:3-6; Acts 26:22-23

Isa. 53.4, Surely he hath borne our griefs...
Isaiah 53:4-6; Isaiah 53:11; 1 Peter 2:24-25; Matthew 8:17

Isa. 53.9, ...neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Isaiah 53:9; 1 Peter 2:22

Isa. 53.12, ...and he was numbered with the transgressors.
Isaiah 53:12; Mark 15:28; Luke 22:37

Isa. 54.13, And all thy children shall be taught...
Isaiah 54:13; John 6:45

Isa. 55.3, ...even the sure mercies of David.
Isaiah 55:3; Acts 13:34

Isa. 59.20, And the Redeemer shall come to Zion...
Isaiah 59:20-21; Romans 11:26-27

Jer. 31.31, ...I will make a new covenant...
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8-12; Hebrews 10:16-17

Hos. 1.10, ...Ye are the sons of the living God.
Hosea 1:10; Romans 9:26

Hos. 2.23, ...Thou art my people...
Hosea 2:23; Romans 9:25; 1 Peter 2:10

Joel 2.28, I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh...
Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21

Amos 9.11, In that day will I raise up the tabernacle...
Amos 9:11-12; Acts 15:16-17

Mic. 5.2, But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah...
Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:5-6; John 7:42

Hab. 1.5, Behold ye among the heathen, and regard...
Habakkuk 1:5; Acts 13:40-41

Hag. 2.6, Yet once ... and I will shake the heavens...
Haggai 2:6; Hebrews 12:26

Zech. 9.9, ...behold, thy King cometh unto thee...
Zech 9:9; Matthew 21:4-5; John 12:14-15

Zech. 11.13, Cast it unto the potter...
Zech 11:13; Matthew 27:9-10

Zech. 12.10, ...look upon me whom they have pierced...
Zech 12:10; John 19:37

Zech. 13.7, ...smite the shepherd...
Zech 13:7; Matthew 26:31; Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:27; Mark 14:50

Mal. 3.1, Behold, I will send my messenger...
Malachi 3:1; Matthew 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:27

Mal. 4.5, Behold, I will send you Elijah...
Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 11:13-14; Matthew 17:10-13; Mark 9:11-13; Luke 1:16-17
Jesus, The Christ, Prophecies Concerning; Prophetess; Prophets

Miscellaneous, fulfilled;

The birth and zeal of Josiah
1 Kings 13:2; 2 Kings 23:1-20

Death of the prophet of Judah
1 Kings 13:21-22; 1 Kings 13:24-30

Extinction of Jeroboam's house
1 Kings 14:5-17

Extinction of Baasha's house
1 Kings 16:2-3; 1 Kings 16:9-13

Concerning the rebuilding of Jericho
Joshua 6:26; 1 Kings 16:34

The drought, foretold by Elijah
1 Kings 17:14

Destruction of Ben-Hadad's army
1 Kings 20:13-30

The death of a man who refused to smite a prophet
1 Kings 20:35-36

The death of Ahab
1 Kings 20:42; 1 Kings 21:18-24; 1 Kings 22:31-38

The death of Ahaziah
2 Kings 1:3-17

Elijah's translation
2 Kings 2:3-11

Cannibalism among the children of Israel
Leviticus 26:29; Deuteronomy 28:53; 2 Kings 6:28-29; Jeremiah 19:9; Lamentations 4:10

The death of the Samaritan lord
2 Kings 7:2; 2 Kings 7:19-20

The end of the famine in Samaria
2 Kings 7:1-18

Jezebel's tragic death
1 Kings 21:23; 2 Kings 9:10; 2 Kings 9:33-37

The smiting of Syria by Joash
2 Kings 13:16-25

Conquests of Jeroboam
2 Kings 14:25-28

Four generations of Jehu to sit upon the throne of Israel
2 Kings 10:30; 2 Kings 15:12

Destruction of Sennacherib's army, and his death
2 Kings 19:6-7; 2 Kings 19:20-37

The captivity of Judah
2 Kings 20:17-18; 2 Kings 24:10-16; 2 Kings 25:11-21

Concerning Christ
Jesus, The Christ, Prophecies Concerning; Prophecy, Concerning the Messiah

Concerning John
Matthew 3:3

Rachel weeping for her children
Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:17-18

Deliverance of Jeremiah
Jeremiah 39:15-18

Invasion of Judah by the Chaldeans;

Prophecy
Habakkuk 1:6-11

Fulfilled
Habakkuk 12:25; 2 Chronicles 36:17-21

Betrayal of Jesus by Judas;

Prophecy
Psalms 41:9

Fulfilled
John 13:18; John 18:1-9

Judas' self-destruction;

Prophecy
Psalms 69:25; Acts 1:16; Acts 1:20

Fulfilled
Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:16-20

Outpouring of the Holy Spirit;

Prophecy
Joel 2:28-29

Fulfilled
Acts 2:16-21

Spiritual blindness of the Jews;

Prophecy
Isaiah 6:9; Isaiah 29:13

Fulfilled
Mark 7:6-7; Acts 28:25-27

Mission of Jesus;

Prophecy
Psalms 68:18

Fulfilled
Ephesians 4:8; Ephesians 4:10
Jesus, The Christ, Mission of

Captivity of the Jews
Jeremiah 25:11-12; Jeremiah 29:10; Jeremiah 29:14; Jeremiah 32:3-5; Daniel 9:2; 2 Kings 25:1-8; Ezra 1:1-11

Of the destruction of the ship in which Paul sailed
Acts 27:10; Acts 27:18-44

PROPH'ECY, noun [Gr. to foretell, before and to tell. This ought to be written prophesy.]

1. A foretelling; prediction; a declaration of something to come. As God only knows future events with certainty, no being but God or some person informed by him, can utter a real prophecy The prophecies recorded in Scripture, when fulfilled, afford most convincing evidence of the divine original of the Scriptures, as those who uttered the prophecies could not have foreknown the events predicted without supernatural instruction. 2 Peter 1:19.

2. In Scripture, a book of prophecies; a history; as the prophecy of Ahijah. 2 Chronicles 9:29.

3. Preaching; public interpretation of Scripture; exhortation or instruction. Proverbs 31:1.