What Prophets Did The Jews Kill?

[Mark Beesley]

In 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15, Paul writes:

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judæa are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

And In Hebrews11:32-37, the death of prophets by sundry means is decried:

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

The Qur'an, in numerous passages, accuses the Jews of killing their prophets, though curiously it denies the Jewish boast that they killed Jesus Christ, claiming instead the He was taken up by God.

Anyway, as far as I can tell, the Old Testament is devoid of any descriptions of the Jews killing any prophets. The New Testament describes the stoning of Stephen and the beheading of John the Baptist.

Is there any canonical account of pre-New Testament Jews killing prophets?

[CV75]

Is there any canonical account of pre-New Testament Jews killing prophets?

It seems the level of wickedness among a particular cohort that would kill prophets was still getting worked up.

Edited May 2, 2012 by CV75

[zerinus]

In 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15, Paul writes:

And In Hebrews11:32-37, the death of prophets by sundry means is decried:

The Qur'an, in numerous passages, accuses the Jews of killing their prophets, though curiously it denies the Jewish boast that they killed Jesus Christ, claiming instead the He was taken up by God.

Anyway, as far as I can tell, the Old Testament is devoid of any descriptions of the Jews killing any prophets. The New Testament describes the stoning of Stephen and the beheading of John the Baptist.

Is there any canonical account of pre-New Testament Jews killing prophets?

There are many references in the OT to the Jews having killed their prophets; but the situation is complicated by the existence of false prophets. The Jews always wanted to have prophets; but in the times of their wickedness they preferred the false prophets to the true ones; therefore they killed the true ones and saved the false ones. The situation is further complicated by the fact that those atrocities were often perpetrated they their wickedest kings; and the people basically suffered for the wickedness of their kings. They were held accountable for the wickedness of their kings.

[Vance]

Is there any canonical account of pre-New Testament Jews killing prophets?

1 Nephi 1: 20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

[Mark Beesley]

There are many references in the OT to the Jews having killed their prophets;

Where?

[Vance]

Although not canonical,

A passage of the Targum to Isaiah quoted by Jolowicz ("Die Himmelfahrt und Vision des Prophets Jesajas," p. 8 ) states that when Isaiah fled from his pursuers and took refuge in the tree, and the tree was sawn in half, the prophet's blood spurted forth. From Talmudical circles the legend of Isaiah's martyrdom was transmitted to the Arabs ("Ta'rikh," ed. De Goeje, i. 644).

http://www.jewishenc...s/8235-isaiah#1

Seems to match.

Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

Edited May 2, 2012 by Vance

[Mark Beesley]

1 Nephi 1: 20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

Thanks. The allegation is made but no specifics are given.

Alma 33:17 refers to the stoning of Zenock, but we don't know where he lived.

Helaman 8:19 refers to Zenos being slain, but again, we don't know where he lived.

interesting that the only named Old Testament era prophets who were slain have such a dearth of information in recorded history.

[Vance]

interesting that the only named Old Testament era prophets who were slain have such a dearth of information in recorded history.

More non-canonical info.

• Isaiah: said to be of Jerusalem, suffered martyrdom by being sawn in two by Manasseh (in agreement with the Martyrdom of Isaiah), buried near a place usually identified by scholars as the Pool of Siloam.
  
• Jeremiah: said to be of Anathoth (Jeremiah 1:1), suffered martyrdom by stoning at Tahpanhes in Ancient Egypt where he was also buried. It is said that who prayed with faith over the seer's grave is healed from asps bites. His remains were later moved to Alexandria. Before the First Temple was destroyed, Jeremiah hid miraculously in the rock the Ark of the Covenant.
  
• Ezekiel: said to be of Arira^[8] and to be of a priesthood family. He suffered martyrdom in the land of the Chaldeans and was buried in the grave of Shem and Arpachshad. A description of the grave is given. Same stories of Ezekiel in the Babylonian captivity are then narrated.
  
• Daniel: said to be of the Tribe of Judah and born at Beth Horon^[8]. He is described as a man devoted to fast and prayer, and the story, full of miraculous details, of Nebuchadrezzar's conversion is narrated.
  
• Hosea: said to be of the Tribe of Issachar and born at Belemot^[8] where he was buried.
  
• Micah: said to be of the Tribe of Ephraim. He suffered martyrdom by Jehoram^[9] and buried in his land near the cemetery of the Anakim.
  
• Amos: said to be born in Tekoa (Amos 1:1), tortured by Amaziah (the priest of Beth-el of Amos 7:10) and martyred by the son of this one. He laid in his birth-land.
  
• Joel: said to be of the Tribe of Reuben, born and buried in Bethomoron^[10].
  
• Obadiah: said to be born in Beth-acharam^[8] in the land of Sichem.
  
• Jonah: said to be born in the land of Kariathmos^[8] near the Greek town of Azotus. After his predication in Nineveh he went to live with his mother in Sur. He returned in Judea, died, and was buried in the cave of Kenaz (the one referred to in Genesis 36:11).
  
• Nahum: said to be of Elkesi (Nahum 1:1), in front of Isbergabin ^[8] of the Tribe of Simeon. He died in peace and was buried in his land.
  
• Habakkuk: said to be from the land of Bethzuchar^[11] and of the Tribe of Simeon. After the fall of Jerusalem he went to live in the land of Ishmael and then returned to help the Hebrews who remained. He later went in Babylonia during the Babylonian captivity where he met Daniel. He died two years before the end of the captivity and was buried in his land.
  
• Zephaniah: said to be from the land of Sabaratha^[11] and of the Tribe of Simeon. He was buried in his land.
  
• Haggai: said to come in Jerusalem from Babylonia when he was young, and he saw the reconstruction of the Temple. He was buried near the graves of the priests (probably in the Kidron Valley).
  
• Zechariah: said to come in Jerusalem from Babylonia when already old. He blessed both Jozadak (the father of Joshua) and Zerubbabel. He died old and was buried near Haggai.
  
• Malachi: said to be born in Sofa^[8]. He died young and was buried with his fathers.
  
• Nathan: said to be from Gaba^[11]. He taught the Torah to David. Beliar caused he couldn't stop David to kill Bathsheba's husband. He died very old and was buried in his land.
  
• Ahijah the Shilonite (1 Kings 11:29): said to be from Shiloh. He was buried near the oak of Shiloh.
  
• Joad or Ioad (named Jadon in Antiquities of the Jews VIII,8,5 and referred to as the man of God in 1 Kings 13:1): said to be of Samareim^[11] and was buried as told in 2 Kings 23:18.
  
• Azariah (2 Chronicles 15:1): said to be from the land of Subatha^[11]. He was buried in his land.
  
• Elijah the Tishbite: is said to be from the land of the Arabs, of the tribe of Aaron that was in Gilead. The birth of Elijah was miraculous: when he was to be delivered, his father Sobacha saw white figures of man who greeted him, wrapped him up and fed him with flames.
  
• Elisha: is said to be of Abelmaul (1 Kings 19:16) in the land of Reuben. When he was born a calf of gold screamed so loudly it was heard in Jerusalem. He was buried in Samaria.
  
• Zechariah ben Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:20-22): said to be of Jerusalem, he was killed by Jehoash near the altar of the Temple. He was buried near his father Jehoiada. After his death, the priests of the Temple could no more, as before, see the apparitions of the angels of the Lord, nor could make divinations with the Ephod, nor give responses from the Debir.
  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lives_of_the_Prophets

[Log]

interesting that the only named Old Testament era prophets who were slain have such a dearth of information in recorded history.

In light of the fact that the winners write the histories, it's really not interesting, but expected. Not only were they slain, their works were dropped down the memory hole.

50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;

51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

Dunno 'bout you, I never saw any writings from Zacharias (father of John the Baptist, whom they also slew).

Lest we forget, they slew even Christ, and many of his apostles.

Edited May 2, 2012 by Log

[Michael Sanders]

Mark,

How about Zacharias, son of Barachias? See Matthew 23:27-32 JST referring to 2 Chronicles 24:19-21 "...they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king..."

Wrong Zacharias log.

Mike Sanders

Book of Mormon Believer

Independence, MO

Edited May 2, 2012 by Michael Sanders

[Mark Beesley]

In light of the fact that the winners write the histories, it's really not interesting, but expected. Not only were they slain, their works were dropped down the memory hole.

While I tend to agree with you, I seem to recall reading somewhere something to the effect that scripture is sacred history and is free from bias.

Edited May 2, 2012 by Mark Beesley

[Log]

While I tend to agree with you, I seem to recall reading somewhere something to the effect that scripture is sacred history and is free from bias.

Well, you probably did not read it from me. There is a reason I discount the reliability of the Bible in favor of the modern scriptures, of course, but I believe the very notion of "objectivity" is a philosopher's canard.

Wrong Zacharias log.

Possibly - I've been wrong before.

Edited May 2, 2012 by Log

[Mark Beesley]

Mark,

How about Zacharias, son of Barachias? See Matthew 23:27-32 JST referring to 2 Chronicles 24:19-21 "...they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king..."

Wrong Zacharias log.

Mike Sanders

Book of Mormon Believer

Independence, MO

This is probably the best evidence, together the references in Alma and Helaman. Thanks.

[Mark Beesley]

Well, you probably did not read it from me.

No, it wasn't you.

[Michael Sanders]

Or Urijah, whose fate is described in Jer 26:19-23.

Mike Sanders

Book of Mormon Believer

Independence, MO

[zerinus]

Where?

1 Kings 19:

14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

1 Kings 18:

22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

When it says that they had killed all the prophets, that means a lot, it doesn’t mean one or two. In those days their prophets ran into hundreds. So a lot of them had been killed (at that time).

1 Kings 22:

6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

7 And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might enquire of him?

8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

In another place Micah says:

Micah 3:

11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: . . .

Jeremiah says something similar:

Jeremiah 2:

8 . . . the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

Jeremiah 23:

13 And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.

14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.

These all refer to false prophets. In other words, the true prophets had disappeared, and been replaced by false ones.

These evils were committed for the most part by their kings, with the consent of the governed (though not all of them). Ahab in the northern kingdom was particularly remembered for his wickedness; and Manasseh in the southern kingdom was his match. But that was not always the case in their history. There were times then they had hundreds, if not thousands of true prophets, and did not kill or ill-treat them; but held them in esteem and listened to them.

[The Nehor]

Isaiah was reportedly sawed in half by a Jewish king. Jeremiah was arrested and thrown in a dungeon by the elders of the Jews. Jewish people fleeing the Babylonian invasion stoned him to death on the way to Egypt. If you take a broader take on the term "Jews" to meant Israelites then there are many many more that were killed.

[Mark Beesley]

Thanks all for your input.

[volgadon]

Mark,

How about Zacharias, son of Barachias? See Matthew 23:27-32 JST referring to 2 Chronicles 24:19-21 "...they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king..."

Wrong Zacharias log.

Mike Sanders

Book of Mormon Believer

Independence, MO

That is a very prominent example. The problem is that there are Jewish traditions of at least 3 different Zechariahs martyred, and 1 Christian tradition that it was John the Baptist's father.

Edited May 2, 2012 by volgadon