A minor prophet refers to a term within the sphere of religious studies, specifically in the context of Judaism and Christianity. It denotes a group of individuals who served as prophets, though their works and messages are relatively smaller in scale compared to the major prophets. The minor prophets are a collection of twelve books found in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and are also recognized within the Christian biblical canon.
These twelve books are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. While their prophetic messages are varied, collectively, they cover a wide range of themes including social justice, warnings of impending judgment, the promised restoration of Israel, and the coming of the Messiah.
The term "minor" in this context does not imply the importance or significance of these prophets, but rather refers to the relatively shorter length of their written prophecies compared to the major prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. Despite being referred to as "minor," these prophets were still regarded as important figures in the religious and historical context of their time, serving as intermediaries between God and the people, bringing divine messages and guidance.
In summary, a minor prophet signifies those twelve individuals in the Hebrew Bible who authored shorter prophetic books that convey God's messages and serve as important sources for understanding religious beliefs, moral teachings, historical events, and theological concepts in Judaism and Christianity.
