Sackcloth

1. Made of coarse hair. Mt 3:4; Re 6:12.

2. Rough and unsightly. Zec 13:4.

3. Of a black colour. Re 6:12.

4. Was worn

a. By God’s prophets. 2Ki 1:8; Isa 20:2; Mt 3:4; Re 11:3.

b. By persons in affliction. Ne 9:1; Ps 69:11; Jon 3:5.

c. Girt about the loins. Ge 37:34; 1Ki 20:31.

d. Frequently next the skin in deep afflictions. 1Ki 21:27; 2Ki 6:30; Job 16:15.

e. Often over the whole person. 2Ki 19:1,2.

f. With ashes on the head. Es 4:1.

g. Often with ropes on the head. 1Ki 20:31.

h. In the streets. Isa 15:3.

i. At funerals. 2Sa 3:31.

5. The Jews lay in, when in deep affliction. 2Sa 21:10; 1Ki 21:27; Joe 1:13.

6. No one clothed in, allowed into the palaces of kings. Es 4:2.

7. Illustrative

a. (Girding with,) of heavy afflictions. Isa 3:24; 22:12; 32:11.

b. (Covering the heavens with,) of severe judgments. Isa 50:3.

c. (Heavens becoming as,) of severe judgments. Re 6:12.

d. (Putting of,) of joy and gladness. Ps 30:11.