Sackcloth
Summary
A coarse, dark fabric made of goat's or camel's hair, worn as a garment of mourning, penitence, or prophetic austerity.
☩Material and Appearance
Sackcloth was woven from goat's or camel's hair, producing a coarse, dark brown or black fabric. The Hebrew word sak, from which the Greek sakkos and English "sack" derive, refers to its net-like or sieve-like texture. The same material served for making grain sacks, and the word describes both the fabric and articles made from it. Its rough texture and somber color made it suitable for expressing grief and humiliation.
☩Use in Mourning
Sackcloth garments were worn by mourners to express grief over death or calamity. In extreme cases, it was worn next to the skin and not removed even at night. More commonly it was worn over the undergarment in place of the outer robe. The garment resembled a sack in shape, fitting closer to the body than ordinary Eastern garments, and was secured by a girdle of similar coarse material. Jacob wore sackcloth when mourning the reported death of Joseph, and the practice was widespread throughout the ancient Near East.
☩Penitential and Prophetic Use
Sackcloth was worn as an expression of repentance and supplication before God. The people of Nineveh put on sackcloth, including even the animals, when they repented at Jonah's preaching. Prophets and ascetics wore sackcloth to signify the sincerity of their calling and as a rebuke to worldly luxury. Elijah was known as "a man with a garment of hair," and John the Baptist wore camel's hair clothing in the same tradition. Jesus contrasted His ministry with John's austerity, noting that the cities that witnessed His miracles would have repented in sackcloth and ashes had they witnessed such works.
Related Verses46 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sackcloth," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Sackcloth," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.George Morrish, "Sackcloth," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Sackcloth," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 5.James Hastings (ed.), "Sackcloth," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).