Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5125 Parts of the body and clothing » 5188 tearing of clothes
Primarily associated with mourning, such action was an expression of deep sorrow and heartfelt grief. It was also a natural reaction at times of great distress and in cases of sincere repentance.
The tearing of clothes was a sign of mourning
It was a demonstration of grief
2 Samuel 1:11-12 See also 2 Samuel 13:30-31; 2 Kings 2:11-12; Job 1:20; Job 2:12
It was often associated with wearing sackcloth
Genesis 37:34 See also 2 Samuel 3:31-32
The high priest was forbidden to tear his clothes in mourning
Leviticus 21:10-12 See also Leviticus 10:1-7
The tearing of clothes indicated deep distress
Judges 11:34-35 Jephthah had vowed to sacrifice whatever came out of the door of his house to meet him. See also Genesis 37:29; Genesis 44:12-13; Numbers 14:1-9; Joshua 7:3-6; 2 Kings 6:26-30; Kings 18:28-19:4 pp Isaiah 36:13-37:4; Esther 3:13-4:1; Acts 14:8-18
Repentance was sometimes accompanied by the tearing of clothes
1 Kings 21:20-27 See also Jeremiah 36:21-24 an indication of the lack of repentance; Joel 2:12-14 God requires that the tearing of clothes should express genuine repentance.
Other references to the tearing of clothes
As an expression of anger
Matthew 26:63-65 pp Mark 14:61-63
To stop the spread of mildew
See also Leviticus 13:53-58
As a symbol of the dividing of the kingdom
1 Samuel 15:27-28
See also
1670 symbols 5177 robes 5198 weeping 5419 mourning 5795 bereavement 5899 lament 6732 repentance 6742 sackcloth & ashes 7376 high priest 8429 fasting 9020 death
