How many prophecies are in the Bible?
Approximately one-third of the Bible is devoted to prophecy, which contains around 1,817 prophecies. How many prophecies are in the Bible that are fulfilled? Scholars generally use four ways to describe how any particular prophecy was carried out within documented biblical history:
The 4 ways to describe how a prophecy was fulfilled
- Real event, as told through a literal description: The prophecy describes a real event literally, and the biblical wording closely matches the historical context. Examples include Micah 5:2 (Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem) and Zechariah 9:9 (Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem).
- Real event, as told through a plainly obvious figure of speech: The prophecy describes a real event using figurative language, but the symbolism is clear in retrospect. An example is Isaiah 53:5 (“wounded for our transgressions”), which refers to Jesus’s crucifixion.
- Real event, as told through a symbolic description: A prophecy foretells a real event using less obvious symbolic language. Examples include Jesus’s statement in John 2:19 (“destroy this temple”) and Psalm 118:22 (“the stone the builders rejected”). Ezekiel 10:1-22, prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem using symbolic language of angels scattering coals, also falls under this category.
- Real spiritual theme, as told through a symbolic description: The prophecy conveys general spiritual themes without direct ties to specific historical events, places, or people. Some argue that God’s blessings to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 exemplify this type of prophecy.
It is important to note that some prophecies may span multiple categories, and the degree of literalness or figurative language varies greatly across the Bible. Understanding the literary style of a passage is crucial for interpreting how a prophecy was fulfilled.
Examples of fulfilled prophecies in the Bible
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times
Micah 5:2
This prophecy foretold Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem. The New Testament confirms this literal
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.Zechariah 9:9
This passage prophesied Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding a donkey. The Gospels corroborate this literal event.
And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
Zechariah 12:10
This prophecy described the piercing of the Messiah, which is interpreted by Christians as referring to Jesus’s crucifixion. The method of crucifixion is highly specific and fits the description.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.Isaiah 53:5
This prophecy speaks of the Messiah being “wounded for our transgressions”. While not explicitly mentioning crucifixion, the imagery clearly alludes to the manner of Jesus’s death.
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
John 2:19
Jesus’s statement about destroying and rebuilding the temple is interpreted symbolically as referring to his own death and resurrection.
The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.Psalm 118:22
This psalm’s reference to “the stone the builders rejected” is interpreted as a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus.
Some prophecies may have multiple stages of fulfillment.
And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
30 I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
31 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
32 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be deliverance,
as the Lord has said,
even among the survivors
whom the Lord calls.Joel 2:28-32
The prophecy, for instance, is seen as having been fulfilled in Acts 2 and also pointing to a future event.
Conditional Prophecies: Some prophecies are conditional, dependent on human actions.
These prophecies may or may not be fulfilled depending on whether the conditions are met.
Interpretational Differences: The interpretation of prophecies can vary across different theological perspectives, as highlighted in the different ways the Millennium and events like the destruction of Babylon are understood. This means that what constitutes a “fulfilled prophecy” can depend on the perspective of the reader.
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