The answer is: Elisha

2 Ki 2:23

In the scriptures, Elisha certainly stands out—a prophet of equal parts humility and directness. It’s notable in 2 Kings 2:23 that he’s labeled as a “bald” man. This isn’t just a passing detail, as it often prompts us to explore cultural perspectives on baldness at that time, which ranged from unfortunate to noble, depending on context. Hebrew customs revered certain appearances as reflections of divine favor or fraternity with God.

What’s hilarious about this moment? The passage unfolds when Elisha is met by a rowdy bunch of youths who jeer at him, calling out “Get out of here, baldy!” which makes them sound more like cheeky kids poking fun than serious critics. The episode famously ends with Elisha calling down a curse from heaven, resulting in some bears that jump out and scare off those mischief-makers. Talk about a brutal day on the job!

This little narrative echoes larger themes in scripture around respect for prophets and illustrates the shaky balance between reverence and ridicule. Interestingly, throughout the Bible, there are other descriptions of physical attributes linked with people—think of the strong, mighty, and beautiful—but there's something quite unique about Elisha being noted for his hairstyle, or lack thereof! It reminds us that even prophets experienced the common trials of life—and being mocked for something out of their control adds a very human touch to Elisha’s prophetic story.