Quiz: Bible Catchphrases

To sprinkle ashes or soil on one's head as a sign of grief is an ancient Jewish custom: " ... they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven." (Job.2:12). ".... he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes.." (Esther 4:1). In modern secular usage, "to sprinkle ashes on one's head" means: to express extreme sorrow, despair.