For centuries, believers and scholars have debated one fascinating question: Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the Bible? While his name does not appear directly in modern Bible translations, several verses in both the Old and New Testaments contain remarkable descriptions that align perfectly with the life and mission of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
This article explores those biblical passages, linguistic evidence, and how they reveal the coming of Islam’s final messenger.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the Bible: 7 Hidden Prophecies Revealed
1. The Promise of a Prophet Like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18)
“I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and I will put My words in his mouth; and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” — Deuteronomy 18:18
This verse from the Old Testament is one of the strongest proofs.
God promises to raise a prophet like Moses — not from the Israelites themselves, but from their brethren.
The “brethren” of the Israelites are the Ishmaelites — the descendants of Ishmael, the brother of Isaac.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, being a descendant of Ishmael, fulfills this perfectly.
Furthermore:
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Moses and Muhammad were both prophets, leaders, lawmakers, and heads of state.
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Both were born naturally and married.
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Jesus (peace be upon him), though a mighty prophet, had a miraculous birth and never led a nation, making Muhammad ﷺ closer in likeness to Moses.
2. The Prophet Who Could Not Read (Isaiah 29:12)
“Then the book will be given to the one who is not learned, saying, ‘Read this,’ and he will say, ‘I am not learned.’” — Isaiah 29:12
This verse directly mirrors the event of the first revelation in the cave of Hira.
When Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) commanded Muhammad ﷺ to “Read,” the Prophet replied, “I am not learned.”
(Reported in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 3)
The prophecy is strikingly clear — a revelation to an unlettered man who receives a divine book, the Qur’an.
3. The Comforter or “Paraclete” in the Gospel of John (John 14:16, 16:7)
“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” — John 14:16
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” — John 16:7
Jesus (peace be upon him) promised his followers that another Comforter (Greek: Parakletos) would come after him.
Many early Christian and Muslim scholars argue that the original word was Periklytos, which means “the praised one” — the exact meaning of Muhammad in Arabic.
This Comforter was said to:
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Speak not from himself but only what he hears.
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Guide mankind into all truth.
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Glorify Jesus.
All of these descriptions align with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who:
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Spoke only what was revealed to him from Allah.
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Guided humanity through the Qur’an.
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Honored and defended the name of Jesus (‘Isa عليه السلام) as a noble prophet.
4. The “Altogether Lovely” in Song of Solomon 5:16
“His mouth is most sweet; yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend…” — Song of Solomon 5:16
In the original Hebrew text, the phrase “altogether lovely” is written as “Mahmadim” (מַחְמַדִּים).
The root word “Mahmad” (מַחְמַד) translates to “the praised one.”
In Arabic, Muhammad also means “the praised one.”
When read in Hebrew, the verse literally says:
“His mouth is most sweet; he is Muhammad-im (Muhammad, with a plural of respect).”
This remarkable linguistic link adds further evidence that the verse refers to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
5. A Universal Message Foretold
Unlike previous prophets sent to specific tribes or nations, Muhammad ﷺ came with a universal message.
The Qur’an confirms this:
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” — (Qur’an 21:107)
This universality was hinted at in the Bible, where the awaited prophet would be a “light to the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6) — another clear sign of the final messenger’s global mission.
6. What These Verses Mean for Christians and Muslims
These biblical references show a continuation — not a contradiction — between Islam and earlier revelations.
They affirm that all prophets came with one core message: to worship the One True God.
The Qur’an says:
“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel…” — (Qur’an 7:157)
This verse directly invites reflection upon the scriptures that preceded the Qur’an, highlighting that Muhammad ﷺ was not a new invention but a fulfillment of divine prophecy.
7. The Prophecy of a Pure Language — Zephaniah 3:9
“For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one accord.” — Zephaniah 3:9
This verse describes a future time when all nations will worship God with one pure language and serve Him together in unity.
Context:
Zephaniah’s prophecy speaks of a time of spiritual harmony and universal worship.
It symbolizes the removal of barriers — linguistic, cultural, and religious — that once divided people.
Interpretation:
The “pure language” has both a spiritual and linguistic dimension.
Spiritually, it refers to a unified faith and worship of the One God.
Linguistically, Muslims understand it as a powerful sign — because Islam is the only major faith that worships God in one preserved language: Arabic.
From Indonesia to Nigeria, from Turkey to America, Muslims pray in the same Arabic words, recite the same Qur’an, and call upon the same Lord — Allah — in one pure, unchanging tongue.
This unity in worship across all nations fulfills the divine vision described in Zephaniah 3:9.
| Reference | Key Description | Relation to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ |
|---|---|---|
| Deuteronomy 18:18 | Prophet like Moses, from brethren of Israelites | Descendant of Ishmael, law-bearing prophet |
| Isaiah 42 | Servant of God, from Kedar (Arabia), brings justice | Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah |
| John 14–16 | Comforter / Spirit of Truth, speaks what he hears | Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, brings revelation |
| Song of Solomon 5:16 | “Machmadim” — the praised one | Name linguistically identical to Muhammad ﷺ |
8. Arabia: The Land of the Promised Prophet (Isaiah 21:13–17)
“The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companions of Dedanim. The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled. For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war. For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of a hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail: And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the Lord God of Israel hath spoken it.” — (Isaiah 21:13–17)
This prophecy from the Book of Isaiah is profoundly significant — it points directly to Arabia as the scene of a divine revelation and the rise of a great prophet.
1. Arabia as the Scene of Revelation
The prophecy explicitly mentions Arabia, which is unique among biblical prophecies.
No other major prophet after Moses and Jesus arose in Arabia except Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The region of Kedar — mentioned in the verse — refers to the descendants of Kedar, the second son of Ishmael, from whom the Quraysh tribe of Makkah descended.
2. “Him That Fled” — The Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
The phrase “him that fled from the sword” is a striking reference to the Hijrah, the Prophet’s migration from Makkah to Madinah.
When the Quraysh plotted to kill him, they surrounded his home with drawn swords.
By Allah’s will, he escaped unharmed and migrated to safety — an event so momentous that it marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
3. “Within a Year… the Glory of Kedar Shall Fail”
Isaiah’s prophecy continues: “Within a year… all the glory of Kedar shall fail.”
This was fulfilled exactly one year after the Hijrah, during the Battle of Badr, when the Quraysh (the descendants of Kedar) suffered a decisive defeat.
Their “mighty men” — the powerful leaders who had persecuted the Prophet ﷺ — were struck down, fulfilling the verse in perfect detail.
4. Historical Validation
Even Christian scholar Rev. C. Forster identified Kedar with the Quraysh of the Hijaz, confirming that this prophecy centers around the Arabian region — precisely where Islam arose.
(See: The Historical Geography of Arabia, Rev. C. Forster, pp. 244–265.)
Thus, Isaiah 21:13–17 stands as a clear biblical foretelling of the coming of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the one who fled from persecution and triumphed by the command of God.
9. The Lord Shines Forth from Mount Paran (Deuteronomy 33:2)
“And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from Mount Paran, and he came with ten thousand saints; from his right hand went a fiery law for them.” — (Deuteronomy 33:2)
This verse is another profound prophecy often overlooked.
It describes three major revelations of divine guidance — from Sinai, from Seir, and from Paran — each representing a distinct prophet and era.
1. Sinai – The Prophethood of Moses (AS)
“The Lord came from Sinai.”
This refers to Prophet Moses (AS) receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai — the beginning of divine law for the Children of Israel.
2. Seir – The Mission of Jesus (AS)
“He rose up from Seir.”
Seir is a mountain region in Palestine, associated with the ministry of Prophet Jesus (AS).
It represents the light of faith spreading through the teachings of the Gospel.
3. Mount Paran – The Revelation to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
“He shined forth from Mount Paran.”
Paran is the ancient name for the part of Arabia where Ishmael (AS) and his descendants settled — the very region of Makkah.
Islamic and historical sources identify Mount Paran with the mountains surrounding Makkah.
As noted by Jacut in Geographisches Wörterbuch (Vol. III, p. 834), Faran (Pharan) is the Arabic form of Paran — a name synonymous with the holy city of Makkah.
4. “He Came with Ten Thousand Saints”
This phrase powerfully aligns with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s return to Makkah during the Conquest of Makkah, accompanied by ten thousand believers.
At that moment, he entered the city peacefully, declared a general amnesty, and purified the Ka‘bah of idols — fulfilling this prophecy word for word.
5. “A Fiery Law for Them”
The verse adds: “From his right hand went a fiery law for them.”
This alludes to the Qur’an, the final divine law revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — a book of spiritual fire that purifies, enlightens, and guides all of humanity.
Conclusion
The Bible may not name Prophet Muhammad ﷺ directly in today’s versions, but the descriptions it contains — a prophet like Moses, unlettered, truthful, guiding all nations, and praised by name — align perfectly with his life and mission.
For those who sincerely seek truth, these verses serve as a bridge of understanding between Islam and Christianity. They remind us that revelation is one chain — from Adam to Noah, Abraham to Moses, Jesus to Muhammad ﷺ — all calling humanity to worship one God.
