Esther 4:2

Esther 4:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.
• New International Version (NIV)But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it.
• English Standard Version (ESV)He went up to the entrance of the king's gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He went as far as the front of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.

Context of Esther 4:2

1When Mordecai learned of all that had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate. 3In every province to which the king’s command and edict came, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4When Esther’s maidens and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, the queen was overcome with distress. She sent clothes for Mordecai to wear instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.

Esther 4:2 word by word

וַיָּב֕וֹא עַ֖ד לִפְנֵ֣י שַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּ֣י אֵ֥ין לָב֛וֹא אֶל־שַׁ֥עַר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בִּלְב֥וּשׁ שָֽׂק׃Read the interlinear

• But he went onlyבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
• asעַד‛ad · tillH5704
• asפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• far as the king’sמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• gateשַׁ֫עַרsha‛ar · gateH8179
• becauseכִּיkîy · forH3588
• the law prohibitedאַ֫יִן'ayin · nothingH369
• anyone wearingלְבוּשׁlebûsh lebûsh · clothingH3830
• sackclothשַׂקώaq · sackclothH8242
• from enteringאֶל'êl 'el · to(wards)H413

Commentaries on Esther 4:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Before the king's gate - He could not enter into the gate, of the place where the officers waited, because he was in the habit of a mourner; for this would have been contrary to law.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2None might enter into the king‘s gate clothed with sackcloth - This law is not elsewhere mentioned; but its principle - that nothing of evil omen is to be obtruded on the monarch - has been recognized throughout the East in all ages.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2the law prohibited anyone...from entering that gate: The king did not want to hear sad stories or people asking for mercy.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-141-2. When Mordecai perceived all that was done--Relying on the irrevocable nature of a Persian monarch's decree (Da 6:15), Hamman made it known as soon as the royal sanction had been obtained; and Mordecai was, doubtless, among the first to hear of it. On his own account, as well as on that of his countrymen, this astounding decree must have been indescribably distressing. The acts described in this passage are, according to the Oriental fashion…Read the comment

Topics related to Esther 4:2

• Readings, Select

In the dictionaries

• Sackcloth
• Esther, Book of

Commentaries on Esther 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings