# sackcloth

## Definition:

Sackcloth was a coarse, scratchy type of cloth that was made from goat hair or camel hair.

* A person who wore clothing made from it would be uncomfortable. Sackcloth was worn to show mourning, grief, or humble repentance.
* The phrase “sackcloth and ashes” was a common term referring to a traditional expression of grief and repentance.

## Translation Suggestions:

* This term could also be translated as “coarse cloth from animal hair” or “clothes made of goat hair” or “rough, scratchy clothing.”
* Another way to translate this term could be “rough, scratchy mourning clothes.”
* The phrase “sit in sackcloth and ashes” could be translated as “show mourning and humility by wearing scratchy cloth and sitting in ashes.”

(See also: [How to Translate Unknowns](rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown))

(See also: [ash](../other/ash.md), [camel](../other/camel.md), [goat](../other/goat.md), [humble](../kt/humble.md), [mourn](../other/mourn.md), [repent](../kt/repent.md), [sign](../kt/sign.md))

## Bible References:

* [2 Samuel 3:31](rc://en/tn/help/2sa/03/31)
* [Genesis 37:34](rc://en/tn/help/gen/37/34)
* [Joel 1:8-10](rc://en/tn/help/jol/01/08)
* [Jonah 3:5](rc://en/tn/help/jon/03/05)
* [Luke 10:13](rc://en/tn/help/luk/10/13)
* [Matthew 11:21](rc://en/tn/help/mat/11/21)

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H8242, G45260
