Who Are the Minor Prophets in the Bible?
Who Are the Minor Prophets in the Bible? The twelve Minor Prophets—Hosea through Malachi—are called 'minor' not because of lesser importance but because of the shorter length of their books.
Key verse: Micah 6:8 (KJV)
The twelve Minor Prophets—Hosea through Malachi—are called 'minor' not because of lesser importance but because of the shorter length of their books.
The twelve Minor Prophets—Hosea through Malachi—are called 'minor' not because of lesser importance but because of the shorter length of their books.
"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" — Micah 6:8 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
The Minor Prophets are twelve Old Testament books: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. They are called 'minor' only because their books are shorter than those of the 'major' prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel). Despite their brevity, these prophets deliver powerful messages about justice, repentance, God's faithfulness, and the coming Messiah. Micah 6:8 summarizes their ethical call: 'to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.' Together, they span several centuries of Israel's history and address both judgment and hope.
Key Scripture References
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who Is the Prophet Hosea in the Bible?
Hosea was a prophet God commanded to marry an unfaithful woman, symbolizing God's enduring love for Israel despite their spiritual adultery.
Who Is the Prophet Amos in the Bible?
Amos was a shepherd and fig farmer whom God called to prophesy against social injustice and religious hypocrisy in Israel.
Who Wrote the Bible?
The Bible was written by approximately 40 human authors over 1,500 years, but ultimately inspired by God through the Holy Spirit.
Is the Bible True and Reliable?
Yes — the Bible's historical accuracy, fulfilled prophecy, internal consistency, and transformative power confirm its divine reliability.
How Many Books Are in the Bible?
The Bible contains 66 books — 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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The answer above sits inside Micah. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Micah on day 207 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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