In the biblical narrative, prophets hold a significant and revered position as holy men chosen by God to deliver His messages to the people. Their role is not only to foretell future events but also to call the people to repentance, provide guidance, and reveal God's will. The esteem in which prophets were held is evident throughout the Scriptures, where they are often depicted as intermediaries between God and humanity.

Divine Calling and Authority

Prophets were considered holy because of their divine calling and the authority bestowed upon them by God. In the Old Testament, the calling of a prophet is often marked by a direct encounter with God, as seen in the call of Isaiah: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (Isaiah 6:8). This divine commissioning set prophets apart as God's chosen messengers.

Moral and Spiritual Integrity

The holiness of prophets is also reflected in their moral and spiritual integrity. They were expected to live lives that exemplified the messages they preached. The prophet Samuel, for instance, is described as a man of integrity and righteousness. When he addressed the people of Israel, he said, "Here I am; testify against me before the LORD and His anointed. Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to overlook something? Tell me, and I will restore it to you" (1 Samuel 12:3). Samuel's life of integrity reinforced his status as a holy man.

Reverence and Respect

The esteem in which prophets were held is further demonstrated by the reverence and respect they commanded from the people. When the prophet Elisha passed by, the Shunammite woman recognized his holiness and said to her husband, "Behold, now I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God" (2 Kings 4:9). This recognition of Elisha's holiness led her to provide for him, acknowledging his role as a servant of God.

Prophetic Authority and Influence

Prophets wielded significant authority and influence, often advising kings and leaders. Nathan the prophet, for example, confronted King David about his sin with Bathsheba, saying, "You are the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7). Despite David's status as king, Nathan's authority as a prophet allowed him to speak boldly and directly, leading to David's repentance.

Persecution and Suffering

Despite their esteemed status, prophets often faced persecution and suffering. Their messages were not always welcomed, especially when they called for repentance or delivered warnings of judgment. Jesus Himself acknowledged this when He lamented over Jerusalem, saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her" (Matthew 23:37). The suffering of prophets underscores their commitment to their divine mission, even in the face of adversity.

Conclusion

The prophets of the Bible were esteemed as holy men due to their divine calling, moral integrity, and the reverence they commanded. Their lives and messages continue to serve as a testament to their role as God's chosen messengers, guiding and instructing His people throughout history.2 Kings 4:9
And she said to her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passes by us continually.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

History of the Septuagint.
... and of the rest of the prophets were also written ... and specially from those wise and
esteemed men who have ... evidently appear, that the laws which were written by ...
/.../chapter xiii history of the septuagint.htm

Paul in Ephesus.
... spoken many ages before by the Prophets, but that ... were comparatively rare, and copies
were slowly multiplied ... all men, that what they lately esteemed wisdom was ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxii paul in ephesus.htm

A Look into the Hebrew Bible.
... is not clear; perhaps because they were supposed to ... been written by prophets; perhaps
because prophets have a ... This group of writings was esteemed by the Jews ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter i a look into.htm

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of ...
... from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not ... From the cradle the sons of Abraham
were taught to ... of their King, one of their own prophets foretold that ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter five the fulfilled prophecies.htm

He Attacks the Doctrine of the Manich??ans Concerning Evil, God ...
... and nails?""and, "Are they to be esteemed righteous who ... The written word is as it
were the swaddling ... divers manners unto the fathers by the prophets (Hebrews 1 ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter vii he attacks the doctrine.htm

Thoughts Upon the Mystery of the Trinity.
... the Law above three Thousand, and the Prophets above two ... the Son, and in god the
Holy Ghost, and ... Christians; and they who did not, were esteemed Infidels or ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon the mystery of.htm

The Lives of Primitive Christians Another Means of Bringing ...
... no Christian, nor ought to be esteemed as such ... The learned Heathen converts were
astonished to see the whole ... to find that the evangelists and prophets, in their ...
/.../sect ix the lives of.htm

Concerning the Martyrs.
... partakers of their persecution, as knowing that they are esteemed blessed by ... is great
in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before us ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i concerning the martyrs.htm

The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
... on these accounts, Galilee was lightly esteemed by the ... The Law and the Prophets were
read in the synagogues ... incapable of regaining it, if we were left under ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon viii the sun rising.htm

The Coming of a Deliverer
... He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. ... Thus, through patriarchs and prophets,
as well as through types ... and the time of His appearance were minutely specified ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 58 the coming of.htm

What does the Bible say about false prophets? | GotQuestions.org

What are the Major Prophets and Minor Prophets? | GotQuestions.org

What was the school of prophets? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus