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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/esther/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/esther/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But he went only as far as the king&#8217s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/esther/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/esther/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/esther/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/esther/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And came even before the king's gate: for none <i>might</i> enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/esther/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He went as far as the front of the king’s gate, for no one <i>might</i> enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/esther/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he came as far as the king’s gate, for no one was to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/esther/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He went as far as the king&#8217s gate, for no one was to enter the king&#8217s gate clothed in sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/esther/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he went as far as the king’s gate, for no one was to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/esther/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he went as far as the king’s gate, for no one was to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/esther/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He went [only] as far as the king’s gate, because no one was to enter the king’s gate dressed in sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/esther/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He went only as far as the King’s Gate, since the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering the King’s Gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/esther/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He only went as far as the King&#8217s Gate, since the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering the King&#8217s Gate. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/esther/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and he came even before the king's gate: for none might enter within the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/esther/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But he could go only as far as the palace gate, because no one wearing sackcloth was allowed inside the palace. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/esther/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and he came even before the king's gate: for none might enter within the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/esther/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He even went right up to the king's gate. (No one could enter it wearing sackcloth.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/esther/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />until he came to the entrance of the palace. He did not go in because no one wearing sackcloth was allowed inside. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/esther/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He came as far as the front of the king's gate, because no one was allowed to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/esther/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he went only as far as the king?s gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/esther/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But he went no further than the king's gate, for no one was permitted to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/esther/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He came even before the King's Gate, for no one is allowed inside the King's Gate clothed with sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/esther/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/esther/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He came even before the king’s gate, for no one is allowed inside the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/esther/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he comes to the front of the gate of the king, but none is to come to the gate of the king with a sackcloth-garment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/esther/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he cometh in unto the front of the gate of the king, but none is to come in unto the gate of the king with a sackcloth-garment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/esther/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will come even before the king's gate: for none to come into the king's gate in putting on sackcloth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/esther/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he came lamenting in this manner even to the gate of the palace: for no one clothed with sackcloth might enter the king's court. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/esther/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 7:2>And he continued with this lamenting, even up to the gate of the palace, for no one clothed with sackcloth is permitted to enter the king’s court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/esther/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />till he came before the royal gate, which no one clothed in sackcloth might enter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/esther/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/esther/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And came even as far as the king's gate; for it was unlawful for any man to enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/esther/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he came unto the gate of the King, and there was no law that a man may wear sackcloth and may come to the door of the King.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/esther/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and he came even before the king's gate; for none might enter within the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/esther/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he came to the king's gate, and stood; for it was not lawful for him to enter into the palace, wearing sackcloth and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/esther/4-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TRosJDhNG-8?start=794" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/esther/4.htm">Mordecai Appeals to Esther</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>When 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. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō·w (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">But he went only</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">far as the king’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/8179.htm" title="8179: ša·‘ar- (N-msc) -- A gate. From sha'ar in its original sense; an opening, i.e. Door or gate.">gate,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">the law prohibited</a> <a href="/hebrew/3830.htm" title="3830: bil·ḇūš (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- A garment, clothing, raiment. Or lbush; from labash; a garment; by implication A wife.">anyone wearing</a> <a href="/hebrew/8242.htm" title="8242: śāq (N-ms) -- Sack, sackcloth. From shaqaq; properly, a mesh, i.e. Coarse loose cloth or sacking; hence, a bag.">sackcloth</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: lā·ḇō·w (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">from entering</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/8179.htm" title="8179: ša·‘ar (N-msc) -- A gate. From sha'ar in its original sense; an opening, i.e. Door or gate.">gate.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>In 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Nehemiah 2:1-3</a></span><br />Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, / so the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This could only be sadness of the heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear / and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-10.htm">Daniel 6:10</a></span><br />Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-34.htm">Genesis 37:34</a></span><br />Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/3-31.htm">2 Samuel 3:31</a></span><br />Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-1.htm">2 Kings 19:1</a></span><br />On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-1.htm">Isaiah 37:1</a></span><br />On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/3-6.htm">Jonah 3:6</a></span><br />When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Matthew 6:16-18</a></span><br />When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13</a></span><br />But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-9.htm">James 4:9</a></span><br />Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/1-13.htm">Joel 1:13</a></span><br />Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God, because the grain and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-26.htm">Jeremiah 6:26</a></span><br />O daughter of my people, dress yourselves in sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn with bitter wailing, as you would for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/27-31.htm">Ezekiel 27:31</a></span><br />They will shave their heads for you and wrap themselves in sackcloth. They will weep over you with anguish of soul and bitter mourning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/2-10.htm">Lamentations 2:10</a></span><br />The elders of the Daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence. They have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/esther/1-8.htm">Allowed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-15.htm">Clothed</a> <a href="/esther/2-21.htm">Door</a> <a href="/esther/2-19.htm">Doorway</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-1.htm">Enter</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-21.htm">Entrance</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-43.htm">Far</a> <a href="/esther/2-11.htm">Front</a> <a href="/esther/3-3.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-22.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/esther/3-15.htm">King's</a> <a href="/esther/4-1.htm">Sackcloth</a> <a href="/esther/1-12.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/esther/9-13.htm">Allowed</a> <a href="/job/7-5.htm">Clothed</a> <a href="/esther/6-2.htm">Door</a> <a href="/esther/4-6.htm">Doorway</a> <a href="/job/3-7.htm">Enter</a> <a href="/esther/5-1.htm">Entrance</a> <a href="/esther/9-20.htm">Far</a> <a href="/esther/4-6.htm">Front</a> <a href="/esther/4-6.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/job/20-14.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/esther/4-3.htm">King's</a> <a href="/esther/4-3.htm">Sackcloth</a> <a href="/job/4-21.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Esther 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/esther/4-1.htm">The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/esther/4-4.htm">Esther, understanding it, sends to Mordecai, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/esther/4-7.htm">who shows the cause, and advises her to undertake the suit.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/esther/4-10.htm">She, excusing herself, is threatened by Mordecai.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/esther/4-15.htm">She, appointing a fast, undertakes the suit.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/esther/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/esther/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/esther/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But he went only as far as the king’s gate</b><br>Mordecai's actions here are significant in the context of Persian customs and the narrative of Esther. The king's gate was a place of official business and judgment, indicating Mordecai's position of influence and his access to the royal court. His decision to stop at the gate reflects his respect for the law and the boundaries set by the Persian empire. This moment also highlights the tension between his Jewish identity and his role within a foreign government. The king's gate serves as a symbolic boundary between the secular authority of the Persian empire and the spiritual and cultural identity of the Jewish people.<p><b>because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate</b><br>Sackcloth was traditionally worn as a sign of mourning, repentance, or distress, often associated with fasting and prayer. In the Persian empire, as in many ancient cultures, there were strict regulations about maintaining decorum and appearances in royal spaces. The prohibition against wearing sackcloth in the king's gate underscores the Persian emphasis on order and the separation of personal grief from public duty. This law reflects the broader theme of the book of Esther, where the hidden and the revealed, the personal and the public, are in constant interplay. Mordecai's adherence to this law, despite his deep mourning, demonstrates his respect for authority while also highlighting the gravity of the situation facing the Jewish people. This moment foreshadows the eventual revelation and reversal of fortunes that is central to the narrative of Esther.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/mordecai.htm">Mordecai</a></b><br>A Jew living in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, and the cousin and guardian of Esther. He is deeply distressed by the decree to annihilate the Jews and expresses his grief by wearing sackcloth and ashes.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_king's_gate.htm">The King's Gate</a></b><br>A significant location in the Persian Empire, serving as a place of judgment and administration. It symbolizes the boundary between the public and the royal domain.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sackcloth.htm">Sackcloth</a></b><br>A coarse material worn as a sign of mourning or repentance. Mordecai's wearing of sackcloth signifies his deep sorrow and protest against the decree.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_decree.htm">The Decree</a></b><br>Issued by King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) under the influence of Haman, calling for the destruction of all Jews in the empire.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/esther.htm">Esther</a></b><br>The Jewish queen of Persia, who is initially unaware of the decree but becomes a pivotal figure in the deliverance of her people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_public_grief.htm">The Power of Public Grief</a></b><br>Mordecai's public display of mourning at the king's gate serves as a powerful protest against injustice. It reminds us of the importance of standing up for righteousness, even when it means being vulnerable.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/boundaries_and_access.htm">Boundaries and Access</a></b><br>The king's gate represents a boundary that Mordecai cannot cross in his state of mourning. This highlights the limitations imposed by earthly powers and the need for divine intervention.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_intercession.htm">The Role of Intercession</a></b><br>Mordecai's actions set the stage for Esther's intercession. It teaches us the importance of interceding for others and being willing to take risks for the sake of justice and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_and_spiritual_significance_of_mourning.htm">Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Mourning</a></b><br>Wearing sackcloth is a cultural expression of mourning that has deep spiritual significance. It calls us to consider how we express our grief and repentance before God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_crisis.htm">Courage in Crisis</a></b><br>Mordecai's courage in the face of a death decree challenges us to be bold in our faith, trusting that God can use our actions to bring about His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_esther_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Esther 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_punishment_for_mordecai's_mourning.htm">Why does Esther 4:2 not mention any punishment for Mordecai’s public mourning, despite Persian laws about court protocol? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_omit_nebuchadnezzar's_madness.htm">Why do Babylonian records fail to mention Nebuchadnezzar's madness as described in Daniel 4?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_esther_5_2_match_persian_court_laws.htm">Esther 5:2 - Does the king's death-penalty-for-approach truly align with known Persian court laws?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_2_chr_24_and_2_kgs_12_differ.htm">Why does the account of Joash's temple restoration in 2 Chronicles 24 seem to conflict with the version in 2 Kings 12 regarding the funds and methods used?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/esther/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">None might enter . . .</span>--That nothing sad or ill-omened might meet the monarch's gaze, as though by shutting his eyes, as it were, to the presence of sorrow, or sickness, or death, he might suppose that he was successfully evading them.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/esther/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And came even before the king's gate</span>. After some aimless wandering Mordecai as returned toward the palace, either his proper place, or with some incipient notion of obtaining Esther's help. He was not allowed, however, to pass the outer gate on account of his garb of woe, and he remained outside (see ver. 6). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/esther/4-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But he went only</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּב֕וֹא</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ḇō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">far as the King’s</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Gate,</span><br /><span class="heb">שַֽׁעַר־</span> <span class="translit">(ša·‘ar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8179.htm">Strong's 8179: </a> </span><span class="str2">An opening, door, gate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the law prohibited</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">anyone wearing</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּלְב֥וּשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(bil·ḇūš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3830.htm">Strong's 3830: </a> </span><span class="str2">A garment, clothing, raiment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sackcloth</span><br /><span class="heb">שָֽׂק׃</span> <span class="translit">(śāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8242.htm">Strong's 8242: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mesh, coarse loose cloth, sacking, a bag</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from entering</span><br /><span class="heb">לָב֛וֹא</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḇō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[that]</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gate.</span><br /><span class="heb">שַׁ֥עַר</span> <span class="translit">(ša·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8179.htm">Strong's 8179: </a> </span><span class="str2">An opening, door, gate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/esther/4-2.htm">Esther 4:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/esther/4-2.htm">Esther 4:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/esther/4-2.htm">Esther 4:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/esther/4-2.htm">Esther 4:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/esther/4-2.htm">Esther 4:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/esther/4-2.htm">Esther 4:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/esther/4-2.htm">Esther 4:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/esther/4-2.htm">Esther 4:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/esther/4-2.htm">Esther 4:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/esther/4-2.htm">Esther 4:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/esther/4-2.htm">OT History: Esther 4:2 He came even before the king's gate (Est Esth. Es) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/esther/4-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Esther 4:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Esther 4:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/esther/4-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Esther 4:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Esther 4:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>