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 on that dayThis phrase refers to a specific time of divine intervention and judgment, often associated with "the Day of the Lord" in prophetic literature. In the context of Zechariah, it points to a future time when God will purify His people and eliminate falsehood. The Hebrew word for "day" (יוֹם, yom) can signify a literal day or an extended period, emphasizing the certainty and significance of God's action. every prophet
The term "prophet" (נָבִיא, navi) traditionally denotes someone who speaks on behalf of God. However, in this context, it refers to false prophets who have misled the people. The comprehensive nature of "every" indicates a complete purging of deceitful voices, underscoring God's commitment to truth and righteousness. will be ashamed
The Hebrew root for "ashamed" (בּוֹשׁ, bosh) conveys a deep sense of disgrace and humiliation. This shame arises from the exposure of falsehood and the realization of having misrepresented God's word. It reflects a divine reversal where deceit is brought to light, and truth prevails. of his vision
A "vision" (חָזוֹן, chazon) in biblical terms is a divine revelation or message. Here, it refers to the false visions proclaimed by deceitful prophets. The shame associated with these visions highlights their lack of divine origin and the ultimate futility of opposing God's truth. when he prophesies
The act of prophesying (נָבָא, nava) involves declaring a message believed to be from God. In this verse, it underscores the false prophets' continued attempts to deceive, even as their shame becomes evident. This persistence in falsehood contrasts with the genuine prophetic call to speak truth. he will not put on a hairy cloak
The "hairy cloak" (אַדֶּרֶת שֵׂעָר, aderet se'ar) was a garment traditionally worn by prophets, symbolizing their role and authority. By stating that false prophets will no longer don this cloak, the verse signifies the end of their deception and the stripping away of their false authority. in order to deceive
The purpose of wearing the cloak was "to deceive" (לְכַחֵשׁ, lechachesh), indicating intentional deceit and manipulation. This phrase highlights the moral corruption of false prophets and the seriousness of their offense against God and His people. The removal of their deceptive practices signifies a restoration of integrity and truth within the community. Persons / Places / Events 1. ProphetsIndividuals who claim to speak on behalf of God. In this context, false prophets are being addressed. 2. Hairy CloakA garment traditionally worn by prophets, symbolizing their role and authority. Here, it is used deceitfully by false prophets. 3. That DayRefers to a future time of judgment and purification, often associated with the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom. Teaching Points Discernment in ProphecyBelievers must exercise discernment to distinguish between true and false prophets. This involves testing their messages against Scripture and observing their fruits. Authenticity in MinistryThose who serve in ministry should do so with authenticity and integrity, avoiding any form of deception or pretense. Repentance and HumilityThe shame of false prophets on "that day" serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and humility before God. True repentance involves turning away from deceit and embracing truth. The Role of Prophecy TodayWhile the office of prophet as seen in the Old Testament may not function in the same way today, the gift of prophecy still exists. Believers should seek to understand its role and function within the church. Preparation for the Day of the LordThe reference to "that day" calls believers to live in readiness for the return of Christ, ensuring that their lives align with His truth and righteousness. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we discern between true and false prophets in today's context, and what role does Scripture play in this process? 2. In what ways might believers today be tempted to "put on a hairy cloak" to deceive others, and how can we guard against this? 3. How does the concept of "that day" in Zechariah 13:4 encourage us to live with an eternal perspective? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure authenticity and integrity in our personal ministries or areas of service? 5. How do the warnings about false prophets in Zechariah 13:4 and other scriptures challenge us to examine our own hearts and motives? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 18:20-22Discusses the criteria for true and false prophets, emphasizing the importance of truth in prophecy. Matthew 7:15-20Jesus warns about false prophets, describing them as wolves in sheep's clothing, which connects to the deceitful use of the hairy cloak. 1 John 4:1Encourages believers to test the spirits to discern whether they are from God, highlighting the need for discernment in identifying false prophets. People David, ZechariahPlaces JerusalemTopics Account, Ashamed, Deceit, Deceive, Garment, Hair, Hairy, Mantle, Order, Pass, Prophesied, Prophesies, Prophesieth, Prophesying, Prophet, Prophetic, Prophets, Prophet's, Purposes, Robe, Rough, Shame, Shamed, Talking, Vision, WearDictionary of Bible Themes Zechariah 13:4 5155 hair Zechariah 13:4-5 5433 occupations Library The Open Fountain
"Wake, harp of Zion, wake again, Upon thine ancient hill, On Jordan's long deserted plain, By Kedron's lowly rill. The hymn shall yet in Zion swell That sounds Messiah's praise, And thy loved name, Immanuel! As once in ancient days. For Israel yet shall own her King, For her salvation waits, And hill and dale shall sweetly sing With praise in all her gates." Having said thus much, however, we shall now take our text as belonging to ourselves in common with Israel, for in the gospel no promise is …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871The Twenty-Second Psalm.
The Cross of Christ. THE Twenty-second Psalm contains a most remarkable prophecy. The human instrument through whom this prophecy was given is King David. The Psalm does not contain the experience of the King, though he passed through great sufferings, yet the sufferings he speaks of in this Psalm are not his own. They are the sufferings of Christ. It is written in the New Testament that the prophets searched and enquired diligently about the coming salvation. The Spirit of Christ, which was in …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory Messiah Unpitied, and Without a Comforter
Reproach [Rebuke] hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. T he greatness of suffering cannot be certainly estimated by the single consideration of the immediate, apparent cause; the impression it actually makes upon the mind of the sufferer, must likewise be taken into the account. That which is a heavy trial to one person, may be much lighter to another, and, perhaps, no trial at all. And a state …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Appendix xix. On Eternal Punishment, According to the Rabbis and the New Testament
THE Parables of the Ten Virgins' and of the Unfaithful Servant' close with a Discourse on the Last Things,' the final Judgment, and the fate of those Christ's Righ Hand and at His Left (St. Matt. xxv. 31-46). This final Judgment by our Lord forms a fundamental article in the Creed of the Church. It is the Christ Who comes, accompanied by the Angelic Host, and sits down on the throne of His Glory, when all nations are gathered before Him. Then the final separation is made, and joy or sorrow awarded …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Shepherd of Our Souls.
"I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep."--John x. 11. Our Lord here appropriates to Himself the title under which He had been foretold by the Prophets. "David My servant shall be king over them," says Almighty God by the mouth of Ezekiel: "and they all shall have one Shepherd." And in the book of Zechariah, "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts; smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered." …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII The Warning
"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered abroad. Howbeit, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto Him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that thou today, even this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt deny me thrice. But he spake exceeding …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation, …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting "Seek First the Kingdom of God," &C.
Matt. vi. 33.--"Seek first the kingdom of God," &c. It may seem strange, that when so great things are allowed, and so small things are denied, that we do not seek them. The kingdom of God and his righteousness are great things indeed, great not only in themselves, but greater in comparison of us. The things of this world, even great events, are but poor, petty, and inconsiderable matters, when compared with these. Yet he graciously allows a larger measure of these great things relating to his kingdom …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning His Future Work
The Lord Jesus Christ, who finished the work on earth the Father gave Him to do, who is now bodily present in the highest heaven, occupying the Father's throne and exercising His priesthood in behalf of His people, is also King. To Him belongeth a Kingdom and a kingly Glory. He has therefore a kingly work to do. While His past work was foretold by the Spirit of God and His priestly work foreshadowed in the Old Testament, His work as King and His glorious Kingdom to come are likewise the subjects …
A. C. Gaebelein—The Work Of Christ Judas' Betrayal and Peter's Denial Foretold.
(Jerusalem. Evening Before the Crucifixion.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 21-25, 31-35; ^B Mark XIV. 18-21, 27-31; ^C Luke XXII. 21-23, 31-38; ^D John XIII. 21-38. ^b 18 And ^d 21 When Jesus had thus said, ^b as they sat and were eating, ^d he was troubled in the spirit, and ^b Jesus ^d testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. ^b even he that eateth with me. ^c 21 But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. [The foreknowledge of Judas' crime …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Christian's Peace and the Christian's Consistency
PHILIPPIANS i. 21-30 He will be spared to them--Spiritual wealth of the paragraph--Adolphe Monod's exposition--Charles Simeon's testimony--The equilibrium and its secret--The intermediate bliss--He longs for their full consistency--The "gift" of suffering Ver. 21. +For to me, to live is Christ+; the consciousness and experiences of living, in the body, are so full of Christ, my supreme Interest, that CHRIST sums them all up; +and to die+, the act of dying,[1] +is gain+, for it will usher me in …
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies How to Make Use of Christ for Cleansing of us from Our Daily Spots.
Having spoken of the way of making use of Christ for removing the guilt of our daily transgressions, we come to speak of the way of making use of Christ, for taking away the guilt that cleaveth to the soul, through daily transgressions; "for every sin defileth the man," Matt. xv. 20; and the best are said to have their spots, and to need washing, which presupposeth filthiness and defilement, Eph. v. 27. John xiii. 8-10. Hence we are so oft called to this duty of washing and making us clean. Isa. …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Zechariah
CHAPTERS I-VIII Two months after Haggai had delivered his first address to the people in 520 B.C., and a little over a month after the building of the temple had begun (Hag. i. 15), Zechariah appeared with another message of encouragement. How much it was needed we see from the popular despondency reflected in Hag. ii. 3, Jerusalem is still disconsolate (Zech. i. 17), there has been fasting and mourning, vii. 5, the city is without walls, ii. 5, the population scanty, ii. 4, and most of the people …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Zechariah 13:4 NIVZechariah 13:4 NLTZechariah 13:4 ESVZechariah 13:4 NASBZechariah 13:4 KJV
Zechariah 13:4 Commentaries
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