Sackcloth — Meaning in the Bible
Rough, dark cloth, often of goat hair, worn as a sign of mourning or repentance, sometimes with ashes.
Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition
What it means
Jacob put on sackcloth when he thought Joseph was dead. The king and people of Nineveh put on sackcloth when they repented. Genesis 37:34Jonah 3:5–8
Mordecai put on sackcloth and ashes when he heard Haman's decree. Jesus spoke of towns that would have repented in sackcloth and ashes. Esther 4:1Matthew 11:21
Key passages
- Genesis 37:34 — Jacob mourns.
- Esther 4:1–3 — Mordecai mourns.
- Jonah 3:5–9 — Nineveh repents.
- Matthew 11:21 — Repent in sackcloth and ashes.