Zechariah 13:4 Meaning and Explanation
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The false prophets, exposed, will be ashamed of their visions and will abandon the prophet's hairy mantle they once wore to deceive.
What Does Zechariah 13:4 Mean?
The rough or hairy garment was the recognized dress of a prophet, the kind of mantle Elijah wore. False prophets had adopted it as a costume, a way to borrow credibility they had not earned. In that day the disguise is dropped. Each is ashamed of the very visions he once paraded.
What was worn for show becomes a source of shame once the light comes. The verse quietly warns against every outward sign of holiness used to mask an empty heart. God is not impressed by the costume of devotion; He looks for the reality beneath it. When His truth fills the land, pretense cannot survive, and those who traded on appearances find nowhere left to hide.
Zechariah 13:4 in the Original Language
adderet (אַדֶּרֶת), 'rough garment' -- the hairy prophet's mantle, like Elijah's, here worn falsely to feign a calling from God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zechariah 13:4
What does Zechariah 13:4 mean?
The false prophets, exposed, will be ashamed of their visions and will abandon the prophet's hairy mantle they once wore to deceive.