Zechariah 13:4 - It will happen in that day, that the prophets will each be ashamed of his vision, when he prophesies; neither will they wear a hairy mantle to deceive:

Generated Verse: Zechariah 13:4

What does "Zechariah 13:4" mean?


Zechariah 13:4 speaks of a future day when false prophets will be exposed and ashamed of their false prophecies. Let's break down the verse:

"It will happen in that day": This refers to a specific time, often interpreted as the messianic era or a time of significant spiritual renewal and judgment.
"that the prophets will each be ashamed of his vision, when he prophesies": This means that those who claimed to be prophets and delivered false prophecies will be deeply ashamed and embarrassed when their lies are revealed. They will no longer boast about their visions or prophecies.
"neither will they wear a hairy mantle to deceive": In the Old Testament, prophets like Elijah and Elisha wore hairy mantles as a symbol of their prophetic office and their identification with the poor. False prophets would often imitate this attire to appear legitimate and gain credibility. This part of the verse suggests that false prophets will abandon this deceptive practice to avoid being identified as such.

In essence, the verse describes a time when false prophecy will be discredited and its practitioners will abandon their deceptive practices out of shame.

Interpretations and Significance:

Messianic Era: Some interpret this verse as a prophecy about the coming of the Messiah (Jesus Christ). With the arrival of the true prophet, the false prophets would be exposed and their lies would be evident.
Purification of Religion: The verse can also be understood as a broader promise of religious purification, where false teachings and deceptive practices will be eliminated.
Honesty and Truth: It highlights the importance of honesty and truth in spiritual matters and condemns those who use deception for personal gain or influence.

In Summary:

Zechariah 13:4 is a prophecy about a time when false prophets will be exposed, ashamed, and will abandon their deceptive practices. It signifies a period of spiritual cleansing and a renewed emphasis on truth and authenticity.