Isaiah 22:12-13
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This verse highlights that "in that day," God Himself calls for weeping and mourning, not just external events, emphasizing that facing calamity with repentance and humility is a divine imperative, not merely a human suggestion. The specific acts of "baldness and wearing sackcloth" are not just symbolic gestures of grief but outward expressions of a deeply broken and contrite spirit that God desires to see.
In that day the Lord GOD of hosts called for weeping and mourning, for baldness and wearing sackcloth; and behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine. “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah, specifically Jerusalem, who are facing imminent danger, likely from an invading army. Instead of repenting and seeking God in their crisis, they are reveling in feasting and false security. This verse announces that God himself is calling them to mourn and humble themselves, but they are stubbornly choosing pleasure over repentance.
Why would God call for outward displays of grief like baldness and sackcloth? What do these ancient symbols tell us about true repentance today?
In times of crisis, God doesn't just want us to feel bad; He calls for a visible demonstration of that sorrow. The ancient practices of "weeping and mourning, for baldness and wearing sackcloth" weren't just rituals.
Outward Signs, Inner Reality
God commanded these actions not as an end in themselves, but as tangible expressions of a heart that recognizes its sin and the severity of the consequences. It's a call to a profound internal reorientation that must show itself externally.
When disaster looms, some say, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.' What does this fatalistic attitude reveal about a heart that has forgotten God?
Isaiah confronts a dangerous mindset that emerges when people ignore God's warnings: the 'eat and drink, for tomorrow we die' mentality.
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Carried Away by Pleasure
God's call to repentance is met with defiance, a belief that temporary pleasure is the only sensible response to the threat of death. This is not wisdom; it's a profound spiritual blindness.
Understand the original words
Tsebha'oth · Hebrew Noun
A term referring to the God of Israel as the commander of the angelic armies of heaven. It emphasizes His sovereign power, majesty, and absolute authority over all created beings and historical events.
saq · Hebrew Noun
External signs of deep grief, repentance, or lamentation. Sackcloth was a rough, dark fabric made of goat's hair, and baldness was often induced as an act of mourning.
This verse speaks to a moment of national crisis in Judah, specifically during Sennacherib's invasion. God calls His people to repentance and mourning, but many, like the official Shebna, were caught up in self-serving luxury and a false sense of security. The prophecy highlights the contrast between the appropriate response to God's judgment (weeping and sackcloth) and the people's actual reaction (feasting and revelry).
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Empire's Growing Power
The Neo-Assyrian Empire was at its height, a formidable military power that exerted influence and control over much of the ancient Near East, including the region of Judah.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria launched a major campaign against Judah, capturing many fortified cities and laying siege to Jerusalem. This invasion created a climate of intense fear and crisis.
c. 701 BC
Divine Intervention Saves Jerusalem
According to the biblical account, a miraculous intervention by the Lord caused a plague that decimated the Assyrian army, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw and saving Jerusalem from destruction.
c. 701 BC
Shebna's Downfall and Eliakim's Rise
In the aftermath of the crisis, the corrupt official Shebna was removed from power, and the faithful Eliakim was appointed to a position of significant authority over Jerusalem.
This passage echoes the call for repentance through outward signs of mourning, emphasizing that rending the heart is more important than rending garments.
Jeremiah 4:8Similar to Isaiah's prophecy, this verse describes God's people facing judgment and destruction, highlighting the prophet's lament for their impending doom.
Ezekiel 7:16This passage describes the fear and despair that will grip the people, causing them to mourn like doves of the valleys, reflecting the sorrow and lamentation called for in Isaiah.
Matthew 11:20-22Jesus rebukes cities that did not repent despite witnessing His mighty works, drawing a parallel to Isaiah's condemnation of those who ignored God's calls to mourning and repentance amidst judgment.
bensonIsaiah 22:12: "And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:"
Isaiah 22:12-14 . And in that day did, or will, the Lord call, &c. — Another fault, which the prophet imputes to the carnal Jews, is impenitence, or carnal security. He foretels that God would call them to weeping and mourning, and other instances and evidences of humiliation and godly sorrow; but that, instead thereof, he should find them given up to joy a…
cambridgeIsaiah 22:12: "And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:"
12 . in that day did the Lord … call ] not only by the silent march of events, but also by the voice of His prophet: see ch. Isaiah 32:11 . The call was to seriousness and humiliation, expressed by the customary signs of mourning. (Cf. Joel 2:12 ; Amos 8:10 ; Isaiah 3:24 ; Isaiah 20:2 , &c.) 12–14 . The ignoring of Jehovah’s presence in this crisis is an un…
This verse highlights that "in that day," God Himself calls for weeping and mourning, not just external events, emphasizing that facing calamity with repentance and humility is a divine imperative, not merely a human suggestion. The specific acts of "baldness and wearing sackcloth" are not just symbolic gestures of grief but outward expressions of a deeply broken and contrite spirit that God desires to see.
The prophet Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah, specifically Jerusalem, who are facing imminent danger, likely from an invading army. Instead of repenting and seeking God in their crisis, they are reveling in feasting and false security. This verse announces that God himself is calling them to mourn and humble themselves, but they are stubbornly choosing pleasure over repentance.
The prophet Isaiah is addressing the people of Judah, specifically Jerusalem, who are facing imminent danger, likely from an invading army. Instead of repenting and seeking God in their crisis, they are reveling in feasting and false security. This verse announces that God himself is calling them to mourn and humble themselves, but they are stubbornly choosing pleasure over repentance.
"In that day the Lord GOD of hosts called for weeping and mourning, for baldness and wearing sackcloth; and behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine. “…" — This verse highlights that "in that day," God Himself calls for weeping and mourning, not just external events, emphasizing that facing calamity with repentance and humility is a divine imperative, n…
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Last reviewed October 2026
