Esther 4:2

2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it.

Esther 4:2 in Other Translations

2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

2 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.

2 He went as far as the gate of the palace, for no one was allowed to enter the palace gate while wearing clothes of mourning.

2 He came only as far as the King's Gate, for no one dressed in sackcloth was allowed to enter the King's Gate.

2 and he came even before the king's gate: for none might enter within the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

2 He even went right up to the king's gate. (No one could enter it wearing sackcloth.)

2 He only went as far as the King's Gate, since [the law] prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering the King's Gate.

2 But he only went as far as the palace gate. That's because no one who was dressed in black clothes was allowed to go through it.

Esther 4:2 Meaning and Commentary

Esther 4:2

And came even before the king's gate
Or court, that Esther might if possible be made acquainted with this dreadful calamity coming upon her people:

for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth:
or appear in such a dress at court, where nothing was admitted to damp the pleasures of it.

Esther 4:2 In-Context

1 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.

2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it.

3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

4 When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.

5 Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.

Cross References

• 1. S Esther 2:19