Who Are the Minor Prophets in the Bible — In Biblical Context
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)
The Biblical Context
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.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Micah 6:8, sits inside Micah 6. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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?"
Supporting Passages
"But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream."
Explore this question from another angle
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Who Wrote the Bible?
History & Origins
Is the Bible True and Reliable?
History & Origins
How Many Books Are in the Bible?
History & Origins
Bible Verses About False Prophets
10 curated KJV verses
The Creation
Genesis 1–2 • Origins and Purpose
Queen Esther Saves Her People
Esther 1-10 • Kings & Prophets
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.