Zechariah 13:4

And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:

And it shall come to pass in that day {H3117}, that the prophets {H5030} shall be ashamed {H954} every one {H376} of his vision {H2384}, when he hath prophesied {H5012}; neither shall they wear {H3847} a rough {H8181} garment {H155} to deceive {H3584}:

When that day comes, each one of the prophets will be shamed by his vision when he prophesies. He will stop wearing a hair cloak to deceive people;

And on that day every prophet who prophesies will be ashamed of his vision, and he will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive.

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he prophesieth; neither shall they wear a hairy mantle to deceive:

Zechariah 13:4 delivers a powerful prophetic word concerning the future exposure and disgrace of false prophets. This verse is part of a larger section in Zechariah that describes a day of profound spiritual purification and judgment for Israel, leading to the establishment of God's righteous kingdom. It specifically addresses how those who have misled God's people with deceptive visions will be utterly shamed, losing their ability to masquerade as true messengers of the Lord.

Context

This verse falls within Zechariah Chapters 12-14, a highly prophetic segment often referred to as "The Burden of the Word of the LORD concerning Israel." This section vividly portrays future events, including a time of national repentance, the defeat of hostile nations, and the ultimate triumph of the Messiah. The purification of the land and its inhabitants is a key theme, as seen in Zechariah 13:1, where a fountain is opened for sin and uncleanness. In this context, the exposure and removal of false prophets are essential steps in God's cleansing process, ensuring that His people are no longer led astray by spiritual deception.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Exposure of Falsehood: The verse vividly portrays a future where divine judgment will reveal and disgrace those who prophesied lies in God's name. Their "visions" will be proven false, leading to deep shame.
  • Divine Purification: The eradication of false prophecy is an integral part of God's broader plan to purify His people and land. Just as idols are to be cut off (Zechariah 13:2), so too are the deceptive voices that lead people away from truth.
  • Authenticity vs. Deception: False prophets often mimicked the appearance and actions of true prophets to gain credibility. This verse highlights the end of such deceptive practices, emphasizing that true spiritual authority comes from God, not from outward appearance or manipulation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "rough garment" translates the Hebrew 'addereth sa'ar (אדרת שער), which literally means "mantle of hair" or "hairy cloak." This was the characteristic attire of genuine prophets, famously worn by Elijah and later by John the Baptist. False prophets adopted this distinctive look to deceive people into believing they were true servants of God. Zechariah 13:4 prophesies a time when this symbol of prophetic authority will no longer be used as a tool for spiritual fraud.

Practical Application

Zechariah 13:4 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual deception and underscores the importance of discernment for believers today. In every age, there are those who claim to speak for God but operate out of their own imaginations or malicious intent. This verse reminds us that:

  • Discernment is Crucial: We must always test what is proclaimed in the name of God against the unchanging truth of His Word (1 John 4:1). True prophecy aligns with Scripture and bears good fruit.
  • Beware of Appearances: Just as false prophets used a "rough garment" to deceive, modern deceptions can come in various attractive forms. We should look beyond outward show or charismatic personalities to the substance of their message and their character.
  • God's Truth Will Prevail: Ultimately, God will expose all falsehood and bring shame to those who have misled His people. This provides comfort and assurance that divine justice will be served, and His church will be purified.

This prophecy encourages believers to cling to the authentic Word of God and to pray for wisdom to recognize and reject all forms of spiritual deception.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Micah 3:6

    Therefore night [shall be] unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.

  • Micah 3:7

    Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for [there is] no answer of God.

  • Matthew 3:4

    And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

  • Isaiah 20:2

    At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.

  • 2 Kings 1:8

    And they answered him, [He was] an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It [is] Elijah the Tishbite.

  • Revelation 11:3

    ¶ And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

  • Mark 1:6

    And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

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