σάκκος (G4526) — Greek Lexicon

σάκκος

sákkos

G4526 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A coarse cloth, typically made from goat or camel hair, used primarily for sacks or as a garment in contexts of mourning, penitence, or distress. Also refers to garments or coverings made from such cloth, especially when worn as a visible sign of grief or humility in ritual or communal settings. In literary and figurative contexts, denotes the expression of sorrow, affliction, or submission.

Semantic Range

sack, sackcloth, coarse garment of mourning or penitence, rough material for bags, symbol of grief or humility, ritual garment in contexts of mourning or supplication

Root / Etymology

From Hebrew שַׂק (śaq), meaning 'sack' or 'bag', adopted directly into Greek, reflecting material and contextual use shared with the Hebrew term. No Greek-rooted etymology; a direct loanword for an object and custom primarily Near Eastern in origin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term σάκκος is a direct borrowing from Hebrew and Aramaic, reflecting a cultural and ritual practice of the ancient Near East. In Greek literature, it appears almost exclusively in Jewish or Christian contexts (e.g., the Septuagint, New Testament, early patristic writings) rather than classical Greek, where other terms for bags or rough cloth were employed. In the Second Temple and New Testament periods, wearing a σάκκος signified publicly demonstrated mourning, repentance, or supplication, often coupled with ashes. The Greek preserves the physical aspect (a sack or sackcloth garment) and the cultural-religious use connected to Israelite and Judean traditions. English translations render it as 'sackcloth', but this may understate the ritual and public dimensions of its use in antiquity. The term does not develop significantly in usage beyond its Semitic and biblical setting; it remained bound to symbolic acts of lamentation or humility.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (שַׂק); "sack"-cloth, i.e. mohair (the material or garments made of it, worn as a sign of grief):-- sackcloth.

Root Family

σάκκος (sakkos) — sack, bag, coarse cloth

Root σακ- sack, bag, coarse cloth

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4526-01`	σάκκῳ	sakko	`N DAT M SG`	sackcloth	in sackcloth	sackcloth	2
`G4526-03`	σάκκους	sakkous	`N ACC M PL`	in sackcloth	sackcloth garments	sackcloth garments	1
`G4526-02`	σάκκος	sakkos	`N NOM M SG`	sackcloth	sackcloth	sackcloth	1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4526-01`	Matthew 11:21	σάκκῳ	sakko	`N DAT M SG`	sackcloth	in sackcloth	sackcloth
`G4526-01`	Luke 10:13	σάκκῳ	sakko	`N DAT M SG`	sackcloth	in sackcloth	sackcloth
`G4526-02`	Revelation 6:12	σάκκος	sakkos	`N NOM M SG`	sackcloth	sackcloth	sackcloth
`G4526-03`	Revelation 11:3	σάκκους	sakkous	`N ACC M PL`	in sackcloth	sackcloth garments	sackcloth garments

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