And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

2 KINGS 19:1KJV
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2 Kings 19:1 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 19:1 mean?

2 Kings 19:1 describes King Hezekiah’s immediate reaction when he hears troubling news: he tears his clothes, puts on sackcloth, and goes into the temple of the LORD. This shows Hezekiah’s deep distress and his turning to God in a moment of crisis.

Hezekiah is the king of Judah, and the “news” he hears is the threatening message from the Assyrian king, who is demanding Jerusalem’s surrender. Tearing clothes and wearing sackcloth are traditional signs of grief or desperation in ancient Israel. By going into the house of the LORD (the temple), Hezekiah seeks God’s help, showing that he responds to danger with humility and prayer.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 19:1

  • “Rent” (קָרַע, qaraʿ): This word means to tear or rip, often used for tearing one’s clothes as a sign of mourning, shock, or deep distress. Hezekiah’s action signals how seriously he takes the threat.
  • “Sackcloth” (שַׂק, saq): Sackcloth is a rough, uncomfortable fabric made from goat hair, worn as a sign of mourning or repentance. Hezekiah’s choice to wear it shows humility and sorrow.
  • “House” (בַּיִת, bayit): Here, this word refers to the temple, the central place of worship for Israel. Hezekiah’s decision to go there highlights his desire to seek God’s presence and guidance in a time of national crisis.
  • “LORD” (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that Hezekiah is seeking help from the God who has a covenant relationship with his people.

Why 2 Kings 19:1 matters

  • This verse shows that even a powerful king responds to overwhelming threats with humility and dependence on God, not just political or military action.
  • The actions described set the stage for the rest of the chapter, where Hezekiah’s faith and God’s response become central themes.
  • Understanding the cultural meaning of tearing clothes and wearing sackcloth helps modern readers grasp the depth of Hezekiah’s emotion and the seriousness of the situation.

Where else these words appear

“sackcloth” Hebrew H8242 · used in 46 verses

  • Genesis 37:34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
  • Esther 4:1 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
  • Isaiah 58:5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

“rent” Hebrew H7167 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 37:29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
  • 1 Kings 11:11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.

“Hezekiah” Hebrew H2396 · used in 78 verses

  • 2 Kings 16:20 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 20:5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
  • Isaiah 36:16 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;

“covered” Hebrew H3680 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 7:19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
  • Judges 4:19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
  • Proverbs 24:31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.