Zechariah 13 4

Zechariah 13:4 kjv

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:

Zechariah 13:4 nkjv

"And it shall be in that day that every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies; they will not wear a robe of coarse hair to deceive.

Zechariah 13:4 niv

"On that day every prophet will be ashamed of their prophetic vision. They will not put on a prophet's garment of hair in order to deceive.

Zechariah 13:4 esv

"On that day every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies. He will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive,

Zechariah 13:4 nlt

"On that day people will be ashamed to claim the prophetic gift. No one will pretend to be a prophet by wearing prophet's clothes.

Zechariah 13 verses

Zechariah 13 4 Meaning

Zechariah 13:4 prophesies a future "day" of profound spiritual cleansing and divine judgment within Israel. In this period, all those who falsely claim to be prophets will face deep shame and humiliation, as their deceptive "visions" and prophecies are exposed as lies. As part of this divine purification, they will abandon the symbolic "rough garment"—an attire traditionally associated with genuine prophets like Elijah—which they had adopted purely to mimic spiritual authority and mislead the people. The verse signifies the complete eradication of spiritual deception and fraudulent religious practices from among God's people.

Zechariah 13 4 Context

Zechariah 13:4 is nestled within a powerful prophetic vision of Judah's restoration and purification after the Babylonian exile. The preceding chapter, Zechariah 12, foretells Jerusalem's future glory and the nation's spiritual mourning over their pierced Messiah. Zechariah 13 opens with a fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, signaling a comprehensive spiritual cleansing (v. 1). This cleansing extends to the eradication of idolatry (v. 2) and, importantly, the removal of false prophets and unclean spirits from the land (v. 2). Verse 3 reinforces the severity of this purging, where even parents will disown or condemn a child who prophesies falsely. Against this backdrop of divine purification, verse 4 specifically details the shame and cessation of deceptive practices by these false prophets. Historically, post-exilic Israel, though purged of gross idolatry, remained vulnerable to spiritual deception, hence the necessity of this strong prophetic word. The passage uses terms and imagery (like the rough garment) familiar to the original audience to convey the definitive end of spiritual fraud in a coming, eschatological "day."

Zechariah 13 4 Word analysis

• And it shall come to pass in that day: This phrase (וְהָיָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, wəhāyāh bayyôm hahûʾ) is a standard prophetic formula in Zechariah and other prophetic books (e.g., Zech 13:1, 14:4; Isa 2:11). It consistently points to a future, decisive time of divine intervention, judgment, and restoration, often linked to the "Day of the Lord." It signals the shift to a major prophetic theme with eschatological significance, marking a specific period of divine action and ultimate fulfillment within God's redemptive plan for Israel.
• that the prophets: The Hebrew (הַנְּבִאִים, hannᵉviʾîm) refers to those who claim to speak God's word. In this specific context of Zechariah 13, following the eradication of idols and unclean spirits, the primary reference is to false prophets who led Israel astray with their own visions rather than God's truth. Their elimination is part of God's purification of His people, where deception will no longer find a foothold.
• shall be ashamed: The word (יֵבֹשׁוּ, yēvōšû) conveys deep public humiliation, disgrace, and exposure. It implies that their true nature as deceivers will be unveiled for all to see, leading to utter self-reproach. This is not mere embarrassment but a profound internal and external recognition of their fraudulent claims, directly opposite to the confidence true prophets had in God's message.
• every one of his vision: This specifies that the shame will be personal and direct. Their "vision" (מֵחֲזוֹנוֹ, mēḥăzōnōw) refers to the purported divine revelations or prophecies they claimed to receive. The implication is that these 'visions' were self-generated or inspired by deceit, and "that day" will demonstrate their utter falsehood and worthlessness.
• when he hath prophesied: This clause directly links the shame to the act of false prophecy itself. It underscores the responsibility and accountability of those who falsely claim divine inspiration. Their very activity, once a source of perceived authority, will become the cause of their public and personal disgrace.
• neither shall they wear: This marks a definitive cessation of a specific deceptive practice. It's a prophetic command or declaration that such practices will no longer occur, symbolizing the thoroughness of God's spiritual purging. The "neither" signifies a complete end to this particular form of spiritual fraud.
• a rough garment: The Hebrew (אַדֶּרֶת שֵׂעָר, adderet sēʿār) literally means "a hairy mantle" or "cloak of hair." This was the characteristic attire of ancient prophets like Elijah (2 Ki 1:8) and John the Baptist (Matt 3:4). It signified austerity, devotion, and a distinct prophetic calling, often made of camel hair or sheepskin. However, false prophets began to adopt this appearance to feign authenticity, mimicking genuine authority.
• to deceive: The term (לְכַחֵשׁ, lᵉkhaḥēš) explicitly states the purpose behind wearing the rough garment. It means "to lie," "to deceive," "to deny," or "to conceal falsely." This revelation clarifies that their outward prophetic appearance was not a mark of sincerity but a calculated strategy for spiritual fraud, intended to mislead people into believing they possessed true divine authority.

• "in that day... shall be ashamed": This phrase group points to a future, divinely orchestrated time when the truth about false prophecy will be irrevocably revealed. It’s an act of divine justice and purification where pretension is replaced by exposure.
• "prophets... ashamed... of his vision": This links the identity of the false prophet directly to the fraudulent nature of their "vision." Their spiritual source will be exposed, bringing intense personal and public humiliation for all their previous pronouncements.
• "neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive": This specific phrase highlights the end of a long-standing, outwardly visible deception. The rough garment, a powerful symbol of authentic prophecy, will no longer be misappropriated to mimic divine authority. It signifies the cleansing of even external, symbolic religious practices that have been corrupted. This specific prophetic judgment illustrates the thoroughness of the purification.

Zechariah 13 4 Bonus section

The concept of prophets dressing in particular attire (e.g., sackcloth, hairy garments) often carried multiple meanings: it could signify humility, mourning, or intense commitment to God's message, distinguishing them from ordinary people. The misapplication of this prophetic tradition by deceivers highlights a persistent problem throughout biblical history: the tendency for spiritual authority to be counterfeited through outward appearances rather than genuine internal connection to God. Zechariah's prophecy here serves not only as a warning but also as an assurance that God will not forever tolerate such spiritual fraud among His chosen people. The ultimate removal of false prophets prepares the way for a more pure worship and understanding of God, fitting for the Messianic era. The definitive and active role of God ("I will cut off...") in this cleansing further underscores divine sovereignty over even human spiritual deception.

Zechariah 13 4 Commentary

Zechariah 13:4 acts as a vivid description of God's future and ultimate purification of His people, where the pervasive issue of false prophecy will be decisively addressed. The "day" mentioned is a time of ultimate clarity and judgment, part of the wider eschatological context of Zechariah. False prophets, once holding sway through their fabricated "visions" and adopted spiritual appearances, will face inescapable shame as their deceit is unmasked by divine light. The detail of abandoning the "rough garment"—a visual cue adopted to impersonate true prophets like Elijah—is particularly striking. It signifies the comprehensive nature of this cleansing: not just their words but their very outward persona of spiritual authority will be stripped away, leaving them exposed in their fraudulent intent. This marks an era when all spiritual pretense is purged, and only genuine faith and truth remain in the land. It’s a powerful promise of spiritual integrity restored.