SONS OF PROPHETS (בְּנֵֽי־הַנְּבִיאִ֥ים). Members of a prophetic order or guild.

This Heb. term occurs eleven times, all during the period of Elijah and especially Elisha, and only in the books of 1 and 2 Kings. The term is a technical one referring to the members of a prophetic order or guild, and has no reference to physical descent from a prophet.

There were several different guilds or branches of the same guild located at various places: (1) at Bethel (2 Kings 2:3), (2) at Jericho (2:5), (3) at Gilgal (4:38), (4) in the hill country of Ephraim (5:22). Yet they were all “ruled” by the same prophet whom they called master (2:3, 5). When the master died or was taken, as Elijah was, one of the guild members took his place as the new master. The promotion had to be recognized by the guild members, and the test was whether the new master had the powers of the old master (2:8, 14) and whether the spirit of the old master rested on the new master (2:15). The guild may have lived in a monastic community. They erected community buildings (6:1ff.) and shared a common table (4:38-44). Yet some were married (4:1ff.). Some of their work was done at the command of the master (4:38; 9:1), and often they sought his approval before doing something (2:16-18; 6:1ff.). Yet they could act on their own (1 Kings 20:35).

Though the technical term בְּנֵֽי־הַנְּבִיאִ֥ים does not occur elsewhere, there may be other indications of prophetic guilds. Such may be the case with the “band of prophets” in Saul’s and Samuel’s day (1 Sam 10:5ff.; 19:20). Likewise, where a large number of prophets is mentioned (1 Kings 18:4, 19; 22:6) this is indicative of a guild. Groups acting in concert and designated only by “prophets’” are prob. also prophetic guilds (2 Kings 23:2; Jer 26:7, 8, 11). Thus prophetic guilds continued throughout the monarchy.

Finally, the phrase בֶּנ־נָבִ֖יא, “the son of a prophet” (Amos 7:14), though in the sing., should also be understood as referring to membership in a guild of prophets. Thus Amos affirms he is not a member of a prophetic guild.

Bibliography R. B. Y. Scott, The Relevance of the Prophets (1942), 46-49; H. H. Rowley, The Servant of the Lord (1952), 97-134.