Who Was The Last Prophet In The Bible?

The question of who was the last prophet in the Bible is an interesting one that many readers want to know the answer to. This comprehensive 3000 word article will provide all the details you need to fully understand who the last biblical prophet was and why they held that distinction.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The last prophet of the Hebrew Bible is traditionally considered to be Malachi. Malachi likely lived in the 5th century BCE and his prophecies are recorded in the Book of Malachi, which is the last book of the Nevi’im (Prophets) section in the Hebrew Bible.

In this in-depth article, we will look at the evidence for Malachi being the last biblical prophet. We will examine his life, the context of his prophecies, and the significance and legacy of his message. Keep reading to learn all about this fascinating final prophet of the Hebrew Bible.

Introducing the Prophet Malachi

His name and identity

Malachi means “my messenger” and refers to a prophet who delivered God’s message to post-exilic Judah (the area around Jerusalem) after the Israelites returned from the Babylonian exile in 515BC. Not much is known about Malachi’s identity besides his name, but he is revered as a prophet of God who spoke truth to the people.

Dating his life and prophecies

Scholars believe Malachi served as a prophet sometime between 500-450 BC. His prophecies came after the first exiles returned from Babylon in 586 BC to rebuild Jerusalem.

So Malachi came after the rebuilding projects in Jerusalem and prophesied to a struggling community lacking faith and obedience towards God. His call to repentance came at a pivotal time for God’s people.

Context and setting of Malachi’s oracles

Malachi addressed the priests and people of Judah who were struggling to rebuild Jerusalem and follow God after returning from 70 years of Babylonian captivity. He prophesied during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah when efforts to rebuild the walls, city, and temple had stalled due to opposition.

Malachi confronted issues like the priests’ poor leadership, broken covenants, compromised tithing practices, skepticism toward God, cynicism about His justice, divorce, and other sinful behaviors that needed correction (see Malachi’s Confrontations and Rebukes).

He challenged the priests and people toward revival while awaiting the coming Messiah and day of the Lord.

Content and Themes of Malachi’s Prophecies

Calls out religious corruption and laxity

Malachi sharply criticizes the priests for failing to uphold righteousness and allowing corruption in the temple. He condemns their offering of defective sacrifices and animals to God (Malachi 1:6-14). Malachi warns that God rejects such empty rituals without sincere devotion.

He urges the priests to change their ways and serve faithfully as messengers between God and the people.

Foretells the coming messenger and day of the Lord

Malachi prophesies the coming of a messenger who will prepare the way for God’s arrival (Malachi 3:1). Many Christians believe this foretells John the Baptist announcing the coming of Jesus Christ. Malachi also warns of the “day of the Lord” when God will carry out final judgment on the wicked (Malachi 4:5).

He calls people to repent in anticipation of this reckoning.

Emphasizes social justice and righteous living

A significant theme in Malachi is upholding social justice and living righteously. He condemns divorce and intermarriage with foreign women who lead the people into idolatry (Malachi 2:10-16). Malachi calls out the people for failing to bring their full tithes and offerings, robbing God of what they owe (Malachi 3:8-12).

He urges economic reforms and renewed commitment to God’s righteous standards.

Malachi as the Last Prophet

Final prophet in ordering of the Nevi’im

Malachi is considered the last prophet in the ordering of the Nevi’im (the Books of the Prophets) in the Hebrew Bible. His prophecies come centuries after the major and minor prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel and others.

Malachi lived in the latter half of the 5th century BCE after the Israelites had returned from the Babylonian exile.

As the final writing prophet of the Nevi’im, Malachi helps close out that section of inspired revelations. His placement shows he chronologically came after Haggai, Zechariah and possibly others not canonized. The Talmud refers to him as the “seal of the prophets” (BT Megilla 15a).

Closes out the prophetic period of Israel’s history

More broadly, Malachi concludes the period of biblical prophecy which began in the days of Moses. His inspired writings cap off centuries of God sending prophets to warn, inspire and give revelation to His people down to that point in Israel’s tumultuous history.

There would be no further direct prophetic words from God till the coming of John the Baptist (and later Jesus Christ) about 400 years later.

So while Malachi was the last specifically in the ordering of the Prophets, his final words signify the close of the prophetic era. From Malachi till the time of Christ is sometimes called the “intertestamental period” where there was silence from heaven.

This makes Malachi’s ending words all the more important as the final prophecies to national Israel till the coming of the Messiah.

Later prophets not included in the Hebrew biblical canon

There were prophet figures over the next centuries like the Maccabean martyrs and later religious leaders. But none of their writings were deemed inspired enough by the religious Jews of the time to be included in the developing Hebrew canon.

So Malachi retained his distinction as the last recognized prophet.

Even prophets during Jesus’ day and later were not canonized either, like:

• Zechariah son of Jehoiada (Matthew 23:35)
• Anna the prophetess (Luke 2:36)
• The book of Enoch, an apocryphal work from around Malachi’s time, was respected but not canonized

So Malachi holds the honor as last prophet and prophetic writer in the bible. His final words about remembering God and looks ahead to Elijah (John the Baptist) make a fitting close to the inspirations of the Prophets.

Malachi’s Lasting Impact and Legacy

Influence on later messianic and eschatological expectations

As the last prophet in the Old Testament, Malachi’s prophecies had a significant influence on Jewish expectations about the coming Messiah and end times. His prediction that Elijah would return before the “great and dreadful day of the Lord” led to the Jewish belief that Elijah would appear as the forerunner of the Messiah (Malachi 4:5-6).

Malachi also reinforced the necessity of righteous living while waiting for God’s deliverance, rather than presuming upon God’s favor.

In the 400 years between Malachi and the coming of Christ, Malachi’s prophecies fueled Jewish anticipation of the Messiah’s imminent arrival. Several Jewish rebel groups led insurrections against foreign oppressors, inspired by messianic zeal.

While misguided, these movements reflected how Malachi’s words kept alive the eager expectancy for Israel’s prophesied King.

Malachi’s eschatological warnings about the day of the Lord established a pattern adopted by later apocalyptic writers. His dramatic portrayal of God’s judgment on the wicked combined with restoration for the righteous resonated in extrabiblical Jewish apocalypses like 1 Enoch and 4 Ezra.

New Testament writers similarly drew imagery and concepts from Malachi to describe Christ’s second coming (Matthew 17:10-13; 2 Peter 3:7).

Example of courage in speaking out for righteousness

Malachi spoke boldly against the corrupt priests and injustice in Israel, despite opposition and apathy. His bravery established an inspiring example of fearlessly denouncing sin and calling God’s people to repentance.

While prophets like Isaiah and Amos also rebuked Israel’s sins, Malachi uniquely confronted the presumptuous attitudes and cynicism of the priests and people in his day. His daring pronouncements of coming judgment took courage in the midst of religious formalism and disbelief.

Malachi’s dire warnings reveal his deep concern for restoring Israel’s covenant relationship with God.

Malachi’s fortitude motivated later prophets like John the Baptist, who courageously confronted Herod’s adultery despite the cost (Mark 6:18). Malachi exemplified how speaking difficult truths, though unpopular, can be an act of love when calling people towards righteousness.

His brave witness reminds believers in every age of the need for moral courage in a fallen world.

Reminder of God’s constant love for Israel

Malachi reassured Israel of God’s unchanging love despite their sin and doubts. His prophecies emphasized God’s patient grace and enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises. Though Israel deserved judgment, God would send a Messianic messenger to purify and restore them (Malachi 3:1-4).

Malachi’s final words implore Israel to remember the law of Moses and prophets who urged them towards an obedient relationship with Yahweh (Malachi 4:4-6). This concluding plea reveals Malachi’s heartfelt concern for Israel’s covenant welfare despite their failures.

It underscores God’s persistent love in sending prophets to turn His people back to Him.

In the centuries after Malachi, his words would inspire hope in God’s love amidst suffering and oppression. Malachi assured Israel that their gracious God had not forgotten them but would send a deliverer.

His message reminds believers today that God patiently works to draw us close to Himself when we stray.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the biblical prophet Malachi has the distinction of being the last prophetic voice heard in the Hebrew Bible. Though little is known for certain about his personal identity, the message he delivered to the people of Israel in the 5th century BCE was impactful and remains relevant.

Malachi spoke boldly against corrupt priests and injustice, called the people to proper worship and morality, promised future restoration at the Lord’s coming, and proclaimed God’s unwavering love. His oracles closed the prophetic period of Israel’s history and shaped later eschatological hopes.

Understanding Malachi as the final prophet gives us a more complete picture of the biblical prophetic tradition.