Sackcloth-garment
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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 as a garment is a physical manifestation of inner sorrow or penitence, frequently accompanied by fasting and prayer.

Biblical References and Usage

1. Mourning and Grief: Sackcloth is frequently worn during periods of mourning. In Genesis 37:34, Jacob mourns the loss of his son Joseph by tearing his clothes and donning 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 a symbol 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 wearing 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 was instructed to wear sackcloth as a sign against Egypt and Cush: "At that time the LORD spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, 'Go, remove the sackcloth from your waist and the sandals from your feet.' And he did so, going about naked and barefoot" (Isaiah 20:2). This act served as a prophetic sign of impending judgment and humiliation.

4. Expressions of Desperation: Sackcloth is worn in times of national crisis or personal desperation. In Esther 4:1, Mordecai responds to the edict against the Jews by tearing his clothes and putting on sackcloth and ashes, crying out in the city: "When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly."

5. Divine Intervention: The wearing of sackcloth is sometimes associated with seeking divine intervention. In 2 Kings 19:1, King Hezekiah dons sackcloth as he seeks the Lord's help against the Assyrian threat: "When King Hezekiah heard this, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD."

Cultural and Historical Context

Sackcloth was a common material in ancient Near Eastern cultures, often used for making sacks and other utilitarian items. Its rough texture made it uncomfortable to wear, which is why it became a fitting symbol for discomfort and distress. The act of wearing sackcloth was a public demonstration of one's inner state, whether it be grief, repentance, or a plea for mercy.

Theological Significance

In the biblical narrative, sackcloth serves as a tangible expression of the human condition in response to sin, loss, or divine judgment. It reflects a posture of humility and submission before God, acknowledging human frailty and the need for divine grace. The use of sackcloth in the Bible underscores the importance of genuine repentance and the hope for redemption and restoration through God's mercy.
Library

Of the Siege of the City of Nisibis, and the Apostolic ...
... Biblioth. Pat. clv.) saw angels standing round the Emperor, and underneath
his purple robe discovered a sackcloth garment. Constantine ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xxvi of the siege of.htm

Thesaurus
Sackcloth-garment (1 Occurrence)
Sackcloth-garment. Sackclothes, Sackcloth-garment. Sacked .
Multi-Version Concordance Sackcloth-garment (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/sackcloth-garment.htm - 6k

Sackclothes (1 Occurrence)

/s/sackclothes.htm - 6k

Sacked (1 Occurrence)

/s/sacked.htm - 6k

Resources
What is a garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3)? | GotQuestions.org

What did it mean to tear one's clothes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about mourning? | GotQuestions.org

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