they did not enjoy positions of privilege, palaces, many wives, hereditary lands, or anything like that.
This is too broad: some biblical prophets did hold privileged court positions. Daniel is explicitly called a prophet in Matthew 24:15, and the Book of Daniel says he was promoted, given many gifts, made ruler over Babylon, and remained in the king’s court.
Full reasoning
The statement overgeneralizes. While many prophets were not wealthy courtiers, not all biblical prophets fit that description.
A clear counterexample is Daniel:
- Matthew 24:15 refers to him as "the prophet Daniel".
- Daniel 2:48 says the king promoted Daniel, gave him many generous gifts, and made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over the wise men.
- Daniel 2:49 adds that Daniel remained in the king's court.
- Daniel 6:3 says the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
Those passages show a biblical prophet occupying a highly privileged political position at court, which contradicts the article's blanket claim that biblical prophets did not enjoy positions of privilege or palaces.
4 sources
- Matthew 24:15
So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination of desolation,' described by the prophet Daniel...
- Daniel 2:48
Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.
- Daniel 2:49
...while Daniel remained in the king's court.
- Daniel 6:3
...the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.