Tearing one’s clothes in the Bible was an external manifestation of deep grief, anguish, or repentance. It is mentioned over 40 times in the Old Testament, and a few times in the New Testament as well. Here is an overview of the significance, meaning and context behind this practice in the Bible.
Old Testament Examples and Meaning
In the Old Testament, tearing one’s clothes was a spontaneous act done to express profound sorrow for the dead (Genesis 37:29, 34), as an act of repentance and mourning over sin (Joshua 7:6, 1 Kings 21:27), or as a sign of righteous indignation over blasphemy or sacrilege (2 Kings 18:37, 19:1). It was a visible and physical way to show immense grief that went beyond normal lamentation.
Some key examples include:
- Reuben tearing his clothes in anguish when Joseph was missing (Genesis 37:29)
- David and his men tearing their clothes when they heard of the massacre of the priests at Nob by Saul (1 Samuel 4:12)
- Hezekiah tearing his clothes and weeping when he received the blasphemous letter from Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:1)
- Joshua and the elders tearing their clothes and falling on their faces when Israel was defeated at Ai (Joshua 7:6)
- Ezra tearing his clothes and pulling hair out when he learned of the Israelites’ sin of intermarriage with pagans (Ezra 9:3)
Tearing clothes was a sign of sorrow and repentance, an admission of guilt and humanity in the face of tragedy, an act of desperation directed toward God. It was the ancient equivalent of wailing, shouting, or fasting – done with the hope that God would see their contrition and have mercy.
New Testament Examples
In the New Testament, tearing one’s clothes continued to signify intense emotion and anguish. Some examples include:
- The high priest tearing his robes and accusing Jesus of blasphemy (Matthew 26:65)
- King Herod tearing his robes upon realizing he had unknowingly ordered the execution of John the Baptist (Mark 6:16)
- The crowd tearing their robes in horror when Stephen proclaimed his vision of Jesus in heaven (Acts 7:54-60)
However, as the New Testament period saw the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus Christ, the practice of torn clothes began to fade. Jesus patched a torn garment rather than discarding it (Matthew 9:16). At his crucifixion, Roman soldiers gambled for his seamless inner tunic rather than tearing it (John 19:23-24). This signaled the forthcoming end to the temple rituals and Levitical practices.
Regulations from the Law of Moses
The Law of Moses prohibited the high priest from tearing his special vestments (Exodus 28:32, Leviticus 10:6, 21:10). The high priest’s clothes represented the sanctity of his office and his presentation of the people before God. Tearing them would profane his holy service.
The Law also established guidelines for how and when to tear one’s clothes. This included:
- Priests could not uncover their heads or tear their clothes as signs of mourning (Leviticus 10:6, 21:10)
- Clothes had to be torn at the collar to create an opening/tear against the chest (2 Samuel 1:11, Job 1:20)
- Torn clothes had to be repaired before approaching God again (Leviticus 13:45, 21:10)
Although tearing clothes was a genuine display of grief, it was still meant to be done in an orderly, lawful manner. The high priest in particular had to balance his human frailty with the dignity of his office before God.
Reasons and Significance
Ultimately, tearing one’s clothes held several layers of significance in the Bible:
- Mourning the dead – It expressed deep grief and loss over death.
- Repentance – It symbolized sorrow, regret, and repentance from sin.
- Intercession – It demonstrated urgent petition for God’s mercy and intervention.
- Protest – It showed outrage over offense done to God.
- Humility – Baring one’s chest revealed vulnerability and humility before God.
Above all, it was meant as a genuine display of suffering and dependence on God – not an empty ritual. The physical act of tearing one’s clothes mirrored the inner “tearing” of a broken, penitent heart pleading for God’s grace and redemption.
Lessons for Today
For Christians today, tearing our clothes is no longer a required expression of grief or repentance. However, the heart attitudes behind it remain relevant. When faced with tragic loss or consequences of sin, we must remain tender-hearted, humble, and dependent on God. The practice of tearing one’s clothes challenges believers to transparently grieve and plead before God, rather than hide feelings within.
Additionally, while our bodies are now temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), the visible distress of torn clothes can represent contrition before God over sin. Just as physical fasting intensifies prayer, tangible expressions of mourning can aid genuine repentance. Overall, the lesson for believers is to sincerely rend our hearts before God, even when we do not literally tear our clothes.