In short
Sackcloth and ashes
were ancient symbols for repentance and mourning (Isaiah 58:5; Daniel 9:3; Jonah 3:6–8; Esther 4:1). Sackcloth was a sack of cloth,
made of goats’ hair, and worn on the skin. The ashes were either sprinkled on the head (Matthew 11:21) or one sat in them (Job 2:8; Jonah 3:6)
Sackcloth and ashes
were used as ancient symbols for repentance and mourning (Isaiah 58:5; Daniel 9:3; Jonah 3:6–8; Esther 4:1). The mourning garment was a kind of sack, made of goats’ hair, which was worn on the skin. The ashes were either sprinkled on the head (Matthew 11:21) or one sat in them (Job 2:8; Jonah 3:6).1
21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.