1. Moses (c. 13th century BCE)
- Tradition: Judaism, Christianity, Islam
- Significance: Moses is considered one of the most important prophets in the Abrahamic religions. He is traditionally credited with leading the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery and receiving the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai. Moses is also the central figure in the Torah, the first five books of the Bible.
2. Isaiah (8th century BCE)
- Tradition: Judaism, Christianity
- Significance: Isaiah was a major prophet in the Hebrew Bible. He is known for his prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and the salvation of the Jewish people. The Book of Isaiah contains some of the most well-known prophecies in the Bible, many of which are also interpreted as foretelling the coming of Jesus Christ in Christian theology.
3. Zoroaster (Zarathustra, c. 1500–1000 BCE)
- Tradition: Zoroastrianism
- Significance: Zoroaster is the founder of Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions. His teachings emphasized the duality of good and evil and the importance of individual choice in the battle between these forces. Zoroaster's prophecies include the coming of a savior and the eventual triumph of good over evil.
4. Jeremiah (7th-6th century BCE)
- Tradition: Judaism, Christianity
- Significance: Known as the "Weeping Prophet," Jeremiah is famous for his prophecies of doom and lamentations over the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the First Temple. He is also credited with authoring the Book of Jeremiah, the Book of Lamentations, and other biblical texts.
5. Muhammad (c. 570–632 CE)
- Tradition: Islam
- Significance: Muhammad is the final prophet in Islam, believed to have received revelations from Allah (God) that were later compiled into the Quran, the holy book of Islam. His prophecies and teachings form the foundation of Islamic belief, law, and practice.
6. John the Baptist (c. 1st century CE)
- Tradition: Christianity, Islam
- Significance: John the Baptist is considered a prophet in both Christianity and Islam. In Christianity, he is known for baptizing Jesus and heralding the coming of the Messiah. In Islam, he is recognized as a prophet (known as Yahya) and a precursor to Jesus (Isa).
7. Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama, c. 563–483 BCE)
- Tradition: Buddhism
- Significance: While not a prophet in the traditional sense of receiving divine messages, Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, is revered as the founder of Buddhism. His teachings about suffering, the path to enlightenment, and the nature of existence have influenced countless followers and continue to be a central part of Buddhist philosophy.
8. Joseph Smith (1805–1844)
- Tradition: Latter Day Saint movement (Mormonism)
- Significance: Joseph Smith is the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement and is considered a prophet by its followers. He claimed to have received visions and revelations from God, including the golden plates that were translated into the Book of Mormon.
9. Baha'u'llah (1817–1892)
- Tradition: Bahá'í Faith
- Significance: Baha'u'llah is the founder of the Bahá'í Faith and is considered by Bahá'ís to be the latest in a line of prophets that includes Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, and others. His teachings emphasize the unity of all religions and the oneness of humanity.
10. Edgar Cayce (1877–1945)
- Tradition: New Age, Christian mysticism
- Significance: Known as the "Sleeping Prophet," Edgar Cayce claimed to channel messages while in a trance-like state, providing readings on topics ranging from health to future events. His followers believe he made accurate predictions about major events, although many of his prophecies are open to interpretation.
Conclusion:
These prophets have significantly influenced religious thought, culture, and history. Their teachings and prophecies continue to resonate with millions of followers around the world, shaping belief systems and guiding spiritual practices.