Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Sackcloth is a coarse, rough fabric traditionally made from goat's hair, and it holds significant symbolic meaning throughout the Bible. It is often associated with mourning, repentance, and humility. The use of sackcloth is a physical manifestation of inner sorrow and penitence, frequently accompanied by fasting and prayer.Biblical References and Usage 1. Mourning and Grief: Sackcloth is commonly worn during periods of mourning. In Genesis 37:34, Jacob mourns the loss of his son Joseph by tearing his clothes and putting on sackcloth: "Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days." This act signifies deep personal loss and sorrow. 2. Repentance and Humility: Sackcloth is also used as a sign of repentance and humility before God. In the book of Jonah, the people of Nineveh, upon hearing Jonah's warning of impending judgment, demonstrate their repentance by donning sackcloth: "When word reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes" (Jonah 3:6). This act of wearing sackcloth, from the king to the common people, underscores their collective contrition and desire for divine mercy. 3. Prophetic Symbolism: Prophets often used sackcloth to convey messages from God. Isaiah, for instance, walked barefoot and in sackcloth as a sign against Egypt and Cush (Isaiah 20:2). This symbolic act served as a visual prophecy of coming judgment and captivity. 4. Expressions of Distress: Sackcloth is also worn during times of national distress or calamity. In Joel 1:13, priests are instructed to wear sackcloth as a sign of lamentation for the devastation of the land: "Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God, for grain and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God." 5. Contrast with Joy: The Bible often contrasts sackcloth with joy and celebration, highlighting the transformation from sorrow to gladness. Psalm 30:11 states, "You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy." This verse illustrates the divine ability to change circumstances and bring about restoration and joy. Cultural and Historical Context In ancient Near Eastern cultures, sackcloth was a common material used for making sacks and garments. Its rough texture made it an apt choice for expressing discomfort and distress. The act of wearing sackcloth, often accompanied by sitting in ashes, was a public demonstration of one's inner state, whether it be grief, repentance, or supplication. Theological Significance Sackcloth serves as a powerful symbol of humility and submission to God's will. It represents a tangible acknowledgment of human frailty and the need for divine intervention. The use of sackcloth in the Bible underscores the importance of genuine repentance and the hope for redemption and restoration through God's mercy. In summary, sackcloth is a multifaceted symbol in the biblical narrative, representing mourning, repentance, and humility. Its use across various contexts highlights the human response to sin, loss, and divine judgment, as well as the hope for transformation and renewal through God's grace. Smith's Bible Dictionary Sackclothcloth used in making sacks or bags, a coarse fabric, of a dark color, made of goat's hair, (Isaiah 50:3; Revelation 6:12) end resembling the eilicium of the Romans. It, was used also for making the rough garments used by mourners, which were in extreme cases worn next the skin. (1 Kings 21:27; 2 Kings 6:30; Job 16:15; Isaiah 32:11) Easton's Bible Dictionary Cloth made of black goats' hair, coarse, rough, and thick, used for sacks, and also worn by mourners (Genesis 37:34; 42:25; 2 Samuel 3:31; Esther 4:1, 2; Psalm 30:11, etc.), and as a sign of repentance (Matthew 11:21). It was put upon animals by the people of Nineveh (Jonah 3:8). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) Linen or cotton cloth such as sacks are made of; coarse cloth; anciently, a cloth or garment worn in mourning, distress, mortification, or penitence.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SACKCLOTHsak'-kloth. Greek 4526. sakkos -- sackcloth ... sackcloth. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: sakkos Phonetic Spelling: (sak'-kos) Short Definition: sack-cloth Definition: sack-cloth, a sign of ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4526.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 8242. saq -- sack, sackcloth... 8241, 8242. saq. 8243 . sack, sackcloth. Transliteration: saq Phonetic Spelling: (sak) Short Definition: sackcloth. Word Origin ... /hebrew/8242.htm - 6k 6941. qedorannith -- as mourners 6937. qadar -- to be dark Library Watkinson -- the Transfigured Sackcloth "Grief, Like a Garment, Cloth'd Me Round, "And Sackcloth was My ... Further Examples from the Old Testament in Favour of Fasting. Of the Monk's Robe. of the Woman driven into the Wilderness. The Bible and the French Revolution. The Bible and the French Revolution Then came the worde of the lorde vn to Ionas agayne Threefold Repentance Jonah the Narrow-Minded Patriot Thesaurus Sackcloth (47 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SACKCLOTH. sak'-kloth. See BURIAL. Multi-Version Concordance Sackcloth (47 Occurrences). Matthew 11:21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! ... /s/sackcloth.htm - 23k Sackcloth-garment (1 Occurrence) Rendeth (23 Occurrences) Baldness (11 Occurrences) Gird (44 Occurrences) Wail (50 Occurrences) Girded (48 Occurrences) Ashes (44 Occurrences) Tore (59 Occurrences) Waist (36 Occurrences) Resources What is the meaning of sackcloth and ashes? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3)? | GotQuestions.org Is corporate confession of sin biblical? | GotQuestions.org Sackcloth: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Sackcloth (47 Occurrences)Matthew 11:21 Luke 10:13 Revelation 6:12 Revelation 11:3 Genesis 37:34 Leviticus 11:32 2 Samuel 3:31 2 Samuel 21:10 1 Kings 20:31 1 Kings 20:32 1 Kings 21:27 2 Kings 6:30 2 Kings 19:1 2 Kings 19:2 1 Chronicles 21:16 Nehemiah 9:1 Esther 4:1 Esther 4:2 Esther 4:3 Esther 4:4 Job 16:15 Psalms 30:11 Psalms 35:13 Psalms 69:11 Isaiah 3:24 Isaiah 15:3 Isaiah 20:2 Isaiah 22:12 Isaiah 32:11 Isaiah 37:1 Isaiah 37:2 Isaiah 50:3 Isaiah 58:5 Jeremiah 4:8 Jeremiah 6:26 Jeremiah 48:37 Jeremiah 49:3 Lamentations 2:10 Ezekiel 7:18 Ezekiel 27:31 Daniel 9:3 Joel 1:8 Joel 1:13 Amos 8:10 Jonah 3:5 Jonah 3:6 Jonah 3:8 Subtopics Sackcloth was Worn by God's Prophets Sackcloth was Worn by Persons in Affliction Sackcloth was Worn in the Streets Sackcloth was Worn with Ashes on the Head Sackcloth was Worn: At Funerals Sackcloth was Worn: Frequently Next the Skin in Deep Afflictions Sackcloth was Worn: Girt About the Loins Sackcloth was Worn: Often Over the Whole Person Sackcloth was Worn: Often With Ropes on the Head Sackcloth: (Covering the Heavens With) of Severe Judgments Sackcloth: (Girding With) of Heavy Afflictions Sackcloth: (Heavens Becoming As) of Severe Judgments Sackcloth: (Putting of) Joy and Gladness Sackcloth: A Symbol of Mourning Sackcloth: Animals Covered With, at a Time of National Mourning Sackcloth: Made of Coarse Hair Sackcloth: No One Clothed In, Allowed Into the Palaces of Kings Sackcloth: Rough and Unsightly Sackcloth: The Jews Lay In, when in Deep Affliction Sackcloth: Worn by Jacob when It Was Reported to Him That Joseph had been Devoured by Wild Animals Related Terms Sackcloth-garment (1 Occurrence) |
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