sackcloth Summary and Overview

cloth made of black goats' hair, coarse, rough, and thick, used for sacks, and also worn by mourners (Gen. 37:34; 42:25; 2 Sam. 3:31; Esther 4:1, 2; Ps. 30:11, etc.), and as a sign of repentance (Matt. 11:21). It was put upon animals by the people of Nineveh (Jonah 3:8).

cloth used in making sacks or bags, a coarse fabric, of a dark color, made of goat's hair, #Isa 50:3; Re 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. #1Ki 21:27; 2Ki 6:30; Job 16:15; Isa 32:11|

SACK'CLOTH . This was a coarse Sitting in Sackcloth. fabric, as the Hebrew word "sack" means, made of black goats' hair and other materials, and worn either as a sign of repentance. Matt 11:21, or as a token of mourning. Gen 37:34; 2 Sam 3:31; Esth 4:1-2; Job 16:15; Ps 30:11; Isa 20:2; Rev 6:12. Hence the frequent occurrence in Scripture of figurative language connecting sackcloth with mourning and darkness. Isa 3:24; Eze 7:18; Eze 27:31; Am 8:10.

Of coarse, dark goat's hair. Used for sacks, also for close fitting raiment in mourning; secured by a girdle (Genesis 42:25; 1 Kings 21:27; 2 Samuel 3:31).