The phrase "latter prophets" refers to the biblical prophets who lived after the Babylonian exile. The spelling of the word is as follows: /ˈlætər/ /ˈprɒfəts/. The first part, "latter," is pronounced with stress on the first syllable and features the short "a" sound at the beginning. The second part, "prophets," is also pronounced with stress on the first syllable and features a long "o" sound followed by the "f" and "ts" consonant sounds. Together, these syllables create the correct pronunciation of "latter prophets."
Latter Prophets refer to a specific group of biblical prophets that appear towards the end of the Hebrew Bible. This term encompasses four major prophetic books, namely Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Book of the Twelve (also known as the Twelve Minor Prophets). These prophets are referred to as the "latter" because they succeeded the earlier prophets, such as Moses, Samuel, and Elijah, who are often referred to as the "former" prophets.
The Latter Prophets are distinct from the Former Prophets, which include the historical books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings that chronicle Israel's early history. While the Former Prophets focus more on historical events and leadership, the Latter Prophets primarily emphasize prophetic messages, visions, and teachings delivered by these four individuals.
These prophetic books contain a wide range of genres, including oracles, lamentations, prophecies, sermons, and symbolic actions, attempting to convey divine revelations and communicate God's will to the people. The messages delivered by the Latter Prophets often revolve around themes of repentance, social justice, fidelity to the covenant, and the impending consequences of disobedience.
The Latter Prophets are highly revered within Jewish and Christian traditions for their profound spiritual and moral teachings. The writings of the Latter Prophets not only played a significant role within ancient Israelite religious practices but continue to serve as an essential source of inspiration, guidance, and ethical teachings for believers today.
The term "latter prophets" refers to a specific group of biblical prophets in Judaism, including Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets. The etymology of the phrase can be understood by breaking it down into its constituent parts.
- "Latter" is derived from the Old English word "lǣt(e)", which means "late" or "recent". It ultimately traces back to the Proto-Germanic word "laitis", meaning "slower" or "sluggish". In this context, "latter" refers to the prophets who came later in historical sequence compared to the earlier prophets in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the "former prophets" (such as Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings).