יחזקאל, פרק כ״ז, פסוק ל׳

The bitter fate of the destroyed city is met with intense sorrow and mourning. The primary approach among commentators is that the reaction begins with loud, bitter cries, serving as a public declaration of grief over the ruin.

Beyond these vocal expressions, the mourners engage in physical acts that were the accepted custom of the time to show deep pain. They throw dust on their heads and roll around until they are completely covered in ashes. These actions illustrate the absolute depth of the tragedy, as the mourners step down from their places of honor and sit directly in the ashes as a profound sign of their grief [מלבי״ם].