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Sackcloth (2)

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

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(σάκκος; from שׂק, which was introduced, probably through the Phcenicians, into all the languages of Europe; the root is perhaps Egyptian-Coptic sok)

Sackcloth meant properly a coarse black fabric woven from goats’ or camels’ hair, and then an article of clothing made of that material and worn (1) by prophets; (2) by mourners, penitents, and suppliants; and (3) by slaves and captives. This garment, which was originally, and remained pre-eminently, a sacred covering, was a mere loin-cloth, probably resembling the ihram of the Muslim pilgrims to Mecca, of whom C. M. Doughty says: ‘they enter the town like bathing men-none is excused’ (Wanderings in Arabia, 1908, ii. 263). The prophet Elijah is described as ‘a man with a garment of hair’ (2 Kings 1:8 Revised Version margin). Isaiah too wore, at least for a time, sackcloth upon his loins (Isaiah 20:2); and ‘a hairy garment’ became the characteristic dress of the prophets (Zechariah 13:4). The raiment (ἔνδυμα) of the Baptist was made of camel’s hair (Matthew 3:4), i.e. of sackcloth. The dark colour and tragic associations of sackcloth suggested to the prophet of the Revelation, as it had already done to Deutero-Isaiah, a figure for a solar eclipse which seemed to portend a Divine judgment-‘the sun became black as sackcloth of hair’ (Revelation 6:12; cf. Isaiah 50:3). Before the Final Judgment two witnesses-apparently Enoch and Elijah are meant-are to come and prophesy, περιβεβλημένοι σάκκους, ‘clothed in sackcloth’ (Revelation 11:3), a symbol of the need of humiliation and repentance. See also article Mourning.

Literature.-See articles ‘Sackcloth’ in Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible (5 vols) (A. R. S. Kennedy) and Encyclopaedia Biblica (S. A. Cook).

James Strahan.