Sackcloth and ashes were symbols of mourning, repentance, and humility in ancient Israel and other ancient Near Eastern cultures. Here is an overview of the biblical meaning and significance of sackcloth and ashes.
Sackcloth
Sackcloth was a coarse, rough fabric made of black goat’s hair. It was thick and uncomfortable when worn next to the skin. Sackcloth garments symbolized mourning, grief, distress, and humility. Wearing sackcloth and putting ashes on one’s head was an outward sign of inner repentance and mourning for sin (Psalm 35:13, Jeremiah 6:26).
There are many examples in the Bible where people wore sackcloth as an expression of mourning or repentance:
- Jacob wore sackcloth when he thought Joseph had died (Genesis 37:34).
- David and his men wore sackcloth when the Amalekites captured their families (1 Samuel 30:3).
- King Hezekiah wore sackcloth and prayed when Jerusalem was under threat from the Assyrians (Isaiah 37:1).
- Mordecai wore sackcloth and ashes when Haman plotted to destroy the Jews (Esther 4:1).
- Daniel wore sackcloth and prayed for Jerusalem when he learned that the prophesied 70 years of captivity were nearly over (Daniel 9:3).
- Jonah called for the people of Nineveh to wear sackcloth and fast in repentance (Jonah 3:5-8).
- Jesus said that people will mourn when He (as the bridegroom) is taken away, a possible reference to wearing sackcloth (Mark 2:20).
Wearing sackcloth demonstrated humility before God and was an outward display of repentance and grief over sin. The rough, uncomfortable fabric may have represented a desire to mortify the flesh and its sinful desires. As such, wearing sackcloth was often accompanied by fasting and prayers of repentance (1 Kings 21:27, Nehemiah 9:1).
Ashes
Ashes were also a sign of mourning, grief, and repentance. Putting ashes on one’s head or covering oneself in ashes was a typical ancient practice. Sitting in ashes or rolling in ashes expressed deep sorrow or regret over sin.
Here are some biblical examples of people using ashes as a sign of mourning and repentance:
- Job repented in dust and ashes before God (Job 42:6).
- The king of Nineveh covered himself with ashes as a sign of repentance at Jonah’s message (Jonah 3:6).
- Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth with his face covered in dust and ashes after the Israelites lost the battle at Ai (Joshua 7:6).
- Tamar put ashes on her head when her brother Amnon was killed (2 Samuel 13:19).
- The Israelites often sprinkled dust or sat in ashes as part of their mourning customs (Ezekiel 27:30, Isaiah 58:5).
Ashes reminded people of their mortality and sinful nature before a holy God. Like sackcloth, ashes represented humility, grief, and repentance. Dusting oneself with ashes or ashes mixed with dust may have also symbolized being “of the earth/dust” before the Creator.
Sackcloth and Ashes Together
Sackcloth and ashes often went together as outward, visible symbols of mourning and repentance. Here are some examples in Scripture where both were used:
- David fasted in sackcloth and ashes when his daughter was ill (2 Samuel 12:16).
- Esther called for sackcloth and ashes when the Jews were under threat of destruction (Esther 4:1,3).
- Daniel repented in sackcloth and ashes as he prayed for the end of Judah’s captivity (Daniel 9:3).
- Jonah preached that the Ninevites must fast, cover themselves with sackcloth, and sit in ashes to repent (Jonah 3:5-8).
Based on these examples, we see that wearing sackcloth and ashes together displayed an attitude of utter humility and mourning. It showed a desire to fully repent and grieve one’s sinful condition before God.
Purpose and Meaning
In summary, here are some of the key purposes and meanings behind the use of sackcloth and ashes in the Bible:
- Repentance – Outwardly demonstrating sorrow for sin and a desire to turn from sinful ways.
- Mourning – Expressing grief and lament over sad events or sinful problems.
- Humility – Showing one’s lowly position and mortality before the holy, eternal God.
- Prayer – Accompanying urgent petitions and intercessions made to God.
- Mortification – Representing the desire to “put to death” sinful desires of the flesh.
- Vulnerability – Acknowledging one is defenseless and dependent on God for mercy.
While sackcloth and ashes were temporary, external signs, God desires heartfelt repentance and humility more than outward ritual (see Psalm 51:16-17, Isaiah 58:5-7). However, this ancient practice remains a vivid symbol of mourning over sin and a posture of true, inward repentance toward God.
Sackcloth and Ashes in the New Testament
Though sackcloth and ashes were common in ancient Israel, this practice is not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament. However, there are possible allusions to it:
- Jesus may have implied sackcloth when He said people would mourn when He (as the bridegroom) was taken away (Mark 2:20).
- Repentance was still symbolized in rough clothing – John the Baptist wore camel’s hair and a leather belt (Matthew 3:4).
- Mourning customs were still practiced – Mary Magdalene and the women prepared spices and ointments to anoint Jesus’ body (Luke 24:1).
- Humility and contrition were still encouraged – James said to “lament and mourn and weep” over sin (James 4:8-10).
- Paul affirmed that “godly grief” over sin leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10-11).
While literal sackcloth and ashes were not mentioned, the principles they represented – repentance, mourning, humility – remained relevant in the New Testament. True, heartfelt remorse over sin is still central to the repentance Jesus and the apostles preached.
Sackcloth and Ashes Today
While few Christians today wear actual sackcloth and ashes, the spiritual principles behind this ancient practice remain relevant:
- We mourn over personal and corporate sins that grieve God’s heart.
- We humbly acknowledge our failings and need for God’s mercy.
- We demonstrate sincere repentance by changing sinful thoughts and behaviors.
- We pray and intercede urgently during times of crisis and suffering.
Sackcloth and ashes remind us that our holy God cares deeply about justice, righteousness and purity among His people. He desires sincere repentance rather than empty ritual. As we seek revival and reformation among God’s people, we must display true humility, grief over sin, and earnest turning from wickedness – the inner qualities that sackcloth and ashes symbolized outwardly.
While sackcloth and ashes are not required, the attitude of a “broken and contrite heart” that David equated with sackcloth (Psalm 51:17) is still the posture God desires. As the prophet Joel cried out, “Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful… Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments” (Joel 2:12-13).
