"Major" prophets vs. "Minor" prophets

[wpe3bql]

Is there a very precise, objective set of standards by which a certain OT prophetic book is a "Major" prophet's (usually Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel & Daniel) in distinction to a book that is relegated to being written by a so-called "Minor" prophet (usually Hosea - Malachi)?

The only "standard" I've ever seen was that of a particular book's length, or possibly when that book was written.

To add a bit more confusion to this subject, there are some "scholars" who insist that most (if not ALL) OT prophetic books were written much later than traditionally thought.

Moreover, many of these same "scholars" will tell you that either a book wasn't really written by the person for whom it was named; or, even worse, most of these prophetic books are merely allegories whose validity is about as equivalent to Aesop's fables.

So.... Is there, in fact, an absolute set of criteria to determine whether a certain OT book is a "Major" prophet and by no means a "Minor" prophet (or vice versa?

 

[Revmitchell]

Yes, the size of the book.

 

[wpe3bql]

Yes, the size of the book.

By "size" do you mean the number of words in the original language of the book? The number of verses and/or chapters the book has?

If it's the number of chapters, then Zechariah (14 chapters) should be a "Major" prophet.

 

[Scarlett O.]

This might be helpful. I've always enjoyed the minor prophets, but since we are going through them again in our SS literature I am having a wonderful time all over again. They are very good studies.

http://www.gotquestions.org/major-minor-prophets.html

 

[wpe3bql]

http://www.gotquestions.org/major-minor-prophets.html

According to the link you gave, Lamentations is a major prophet.

I've learned something new today!!!:thumbsup:

 

[Scarlett O.]

According to the link you gave, Lamentations is a major prophet.

I've learned something new today!!!:thumbsup:

Probably because of it's link with the book of Jeremiah and both having the same author.

 

[Greektim]

The 12 minor prophets have been grouped together for a long time as the book of the 12... like BCE. And Daniel was not considered a prophet at all but part of the writings. So Isa, Jer, and Eze are significantly longer than the other 12.

 

[wpe3bql]

"Size Matters!" ..... I guess. :thumbsup:

 

[Greektim]

"Size Matters!" ..... I guess. :thumbsup:

It does when everything is written on scrolls which has space limitations.

 

[wpe3bql]

It does when everything is written on scrolls which has space limitations.

Scrolls tend to use up a lot of bandwidth, don't they.

 

[preachinjesus]

It is also helpful to consider the Hebrew order of the OT:

This order better visualizes the intent and layout of the books. That said, the difference between the 12 minor prophets and the three (four) major prophets is indeed their length. I still consider Daniel an Major Prophet. Lamentations (a book of poetry) is included alongside Jeremiah as it is his work.

Good thread.

 

[kyredneck]

Good post.

 

[Greektim]

It is also helpful to consider the Hebrew order of the OT:

This order better visualizes the intent and layout of the books. That said, the difference between the 12 minor prophets and the three (four) major prophets is indeed their length. I still consider Daniel an Major Prophet. Lamentations (a book of poetry) is included alongside Jeremiah as it is his work.

Good thread.

This was my point... the Hebrew Bible has in part played a role in why we have 12 minor prophets.

I disagree w/ Daniel being a prophetic book. Prophecy is simply tell God's message. It may or may not be about the future, but it is certainly God's messenger preaching to God's people about covenant fidelity. Daniel is not about that. Daniel is the beginnings of what would later become apocalyptic literature. Thus it fits well in the writings. And it is mostly narrative but not about a prophetic ministry (like Jonah) but his ministry in Babylon and Persian. Of course, there are prophecies in Daniel, but then there are also some in Deuteronomy.

 

[Van]

Lots of times people will draw distinctions to support a particular view. Was Daniel a prophet, someone who spoke for God? See Matthew 24:15.

I think this is a pretty good survey of the topic:
https://bible.org/seriespage/6-major-prophets