Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jacob's actions reveal a profound, almost desperate, grief. The rending of garments and donning of sackcloth weren't just cultural customs; they were a visceral expression of Jacob's inner turmoil, signifying a complete undoing of his normal life and outward appearance in the face of unimaginable loss. This shows how deeply he felt Joseph's absence, more than just a father's sadness but a soul's raw wound.
Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joseph has just been sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, who then present his blood-stained coat to their father, Jacob. This deception leads Jacob to believe his beloved son Joseph has been killed by a wild animal. Jacob's grief is overwhelming, manifesting in the traditional signs of deep mourning.
Jacob's reaction to the presumed death of Joseph is visceral and all-consuming. It reveals a layer of sorrow that goes beyond the typical mourning period.
Jacob's response in Genesis 37:34 is a powerful display of intense grief.
Physical Manifestations of Sorrow
The "Many Days"
While customary mourning periods existed, the phrase "many days" suggests Jacob's grief extended far beyond the norm. Commentaries suggest this intense sorrow lasted for years, deeply impacting him until he was reunited with Joseph. This shows that some losses leave wounds that linger, shaping our lives for extended periods.
Even as his family tries to console him, Jacob pushes away their attempts. What does this tell us about his pain?
Jacob's refusal to be comforted in the face of Joseph's supposed death highlights the isolating nature of profound grief.
The Rejection of Consolation
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Acknowledging the Pain
Understand the original words
qara' beged · Hebrew Verb phrase
An outward, cultural expression of deep internal grief or repentance, involving the rending of clothes to signify the emotional tearing of one's life.
saq · Hebrew Noun
A rough, coarse fabric made from goat or camel hair, worn as a sign of extreme sorrow, mourning, or penitence.
Jacob's profound grief upon believing Joseph is dead highlights the deep emotional bonds within his family, even amidst their internal strife and deception. This moment marks the beginning of a long period of separation and suffering that ultimately serves God's larger plan.
c. 1700 BC
Jacob's Family in Canaan
Jacob and his large family, including his favorite son Joseph, live in Canaan. Joseph, at 17, is given special treatment by his father, which fuels jealousy among his older brothers.
c. 1700 BC
Joseph's Dreams
Joseph dreams of his brothers' sheaves bowing to his, and later of the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing to him. These dreams, shared with his family, intensify their hatred and envy.
c. 1700 BC
Brothers Sell Joseph
The brothers conspire to kill Joseph, but Reuben intervenes. Instead, they strip him of his special coat and sell him to Ishmaelite traders heading for Egypt.
c. 1700 BC— this verse
Deception of Jacob
The brothers dip Joseph's coat in goat's blood and present it to Jacob, claiming an evil beast has devoured his son. Jacob is overcome with grief.
c. 1700 BC
Jacob's Mourning
Jacob tears his clothes, wears sackcloth, and mourns deeply for his son Joseph, refusing comfort from his other children.
c. 1700 BC
Joseph Arrives in Egypt
The Ishmaelites sell Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, beginning his journey through trials that will eventually lead to his rise.
This passage shows a similar outward expression of grief and loss, where Job tears his robe and shaves his head in response to devastating news, highlighting the universality of profound sorrow across different contexts.
2 Samuel 1:11David's reaction to the news of Saul's death mirrors Jacob's in its intensity and public display of mourning, involving torn garments and fasting, underscoring the deep personal impact of loss.
Jeremiah 4:8This verse links the tearing of garments and wearing sackcloth to national mourning and judgment, suggesting that Jacob's personal grief is so profound it evokes the public symbols of deep societal anguish and repentance.
Matthew 26:65During Jesus' trial, the high priest tears his robes in feigned horror, showing how this outward display of grief and outrage, even when insincere, is a recognized way to express profound emotion or accusation.
calvinGenesis 37:1-36: "And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan."
These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
Istae sunt generationes Iahacob. Joseph filius septendecim annorum pascebat cum fratribus suis pecudes, et erat puer cum filiis Bil…
pulpitGenesis 37:34: "And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days."
Verse 34. - And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, - שָׂק (cf. σάκος, el, frog, saccus), the usual dress of mourners (2 Samuel 3:31; Nehemiah 9:1; Esther 4:1), was a coarse, thick haircloth, of which corn sacks were also made (Genesis 42:25), and which in cases of extreme mental distress was worn next the skin (1 Kings 21:27) - and mourned for his son many day…
Jacob's actions reveal a profound, almost desperate, grief. The rending of garments and donning of sackcloth weren't just cultural customs; they were a visceral expression of Jacob's inner turmoil, signifying a complete undoing of his normal life and outward appearance in the face of unimaginable loss. This shows how deeply he felt Joseph's absence, more than just a father's sadness but a soul's raw wound.
Joseph has just been sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, who then present his blood-stained coat to their father, Jacob. This deception leads Jacob to believe his beloved son Joseph has been killed by a wild animal. Jacob's grief is overwhelming, manifesting in the traditional signs of deep mourning.
Joseph has just been sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, who then present his blood-stained coat to their father, Jacob. This deception leads Jacob to believe his beloved son Joseph has been killed by a wild animal. Jacob's grief is overwhelming, manifesting in the traditional signs of deep mourning.
"Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days." — Jacob's actions reveal a profound, almost desperate, grief. The rending of garments and donning of sackcloth weren't just cultural customs; they were a visceral expression of Jacob's inner turmoil, s…
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Last reviewed October 2026