Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. New Living Translation 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. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate. King James Bible And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. New King James Version He went as far as the front of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. New American Standard Bible And he came as far as the king’s gate, for no one was to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. NASB 1995 He went as far as the king’s gate, for no one was to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. NASB 1977 And he went as far as the king’s gate, for no one was to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. Legacy Standard Bible And he went as far as the king’s gate, for no one was to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. Amplified Bible He went [only] as far as the king’s gate, because no one was to enter the king’s gate dressed in sackcloth. Christian Standard Bible He went only as far as the King’s Gate, since the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering the King’s Gate. Holman Christian Standard Bible He only went as far as the King’s Gate, since the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering the King’s Gate. American Standard Version and he came even before the king's gate: for none might enter within the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. Contemporary English Version But he could go only as far as the palace gate, because no one wearing sackcloth was allowed inside the palace. English Revised Version and he came even before the king's gate: for none might enter within the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. GOD'S WORD® Translation He even went right up to the king's gate. (No one could enter it wearing sackcloth.) Good News Translation until he came to the entrance of the palace. He did not go in because no one wearing sackcloth was allowed inside. International Standard Version 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. Majority Standard Bible But he went only as far as the king?s gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate. NET Bible But he went no further than the king's gate, for no one was permitted to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth. New Heart English Bible He came even before the King's Gate, for no one is allowed inside the King's Gate clothed with sackcloth. Webster's Bible Translation And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. World English Bible He came even before the king’s gate, for no one is allowed inside the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand 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. Young's Literal Translation 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. Smith's Literal Translation And he will come even before the king's gate: for none to come into the king's gate in putting on sackcloth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd 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. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible till he came before the royal gate, which no one clothed in sackcloth might enter. New Revised Standard Version he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd 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. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated 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. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and he came even before the king's gate; for none might enter within the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. Brenton Septuagint Translation 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. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Mordecai Appeals to Esther1When 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. 2But 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.… Cross References Nehemiah 2:1-3 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?” Daniel 6:10 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. Genesis 37:34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. 2 Samuel 3:31 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. 2 Kings 19:1 On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD. Isaiah 37:1 On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD. Jonah 3:6 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. Matthew 6:16-18 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. Luke 18:13 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!’ James 4:9 Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. Joel 1:13 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. Joel 2:12-13 “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. Jeremiah 6:26 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. Ezekiel 27:31 They will shave their heads for you and wrap themselves in sackcloth. They will weep over you with anguish of soul and bitter mourning. Lamentations 2:10 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. Treasury of Scripture And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. Jump to Previous Allowed Clothed Door Doorway Enter Entrance Far Front Gate Inside King's Sackcloth WithinJump to Next Allowed Clothed Door Doorway Enter Entrance Far Front Gate Inside King's Sackcloth WithinEsther 4 1. The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews.4. Esther, understanding it, sends to Mordecai, 7. who shows the cause, and advises her to undertake the suit. 10. She, excusing herself, is threatened by Mordecai. 15. She, appointing a fast, undertakes the suit. But he went only as far as the king’s gate 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. because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate Persons / Places / Events 1. MordecaiA 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. 2. The King's Gate 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. 3. Sackcloth 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. 4. The Decree Issued by King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) under the influence of Haman, calling for the destruction of all Jews in the empire. 5. Esther The Jewish queen of Persia, who is initially unaware of the decree but becomes a pivotal figure in the deliverance of her people. Teaching Points The Power of Public GriefMordecai'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. Boundaries and Access 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. The Role of Intercession 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. Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Mourning 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. Courage in Crisis 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.(2) None might enter . . .--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.Verse 2. - And came even before the king's gate. 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). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But he went onlyוַיָּב֕וֹא (way·yā·ḇō·w) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go as עַ֖ד (‘aḏ) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while far as the King’s הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king Gate, שַֽׁעַר־ (ša·‘ar-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate because כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the law prohibited אֵ֥ין (’ên) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle anyone wearing בִּלְב֥וּשׁ (bil·ḇūš) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3830: A garment, clothing, raiment sackcloth שָֽׂק׃ (śāq) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8242: A mesh, coarse loose cloth, sacking, a bag from entering לָב֛וֹא (lā·ḇō·w) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go [that] הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king gate. שַׁ֥עַר (ša·‘ar) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate Links Esther 4:2 NIVEsther 4:2 NLT Esther 4:2 ESV Esther 4:2 NASB Esther 4:2 KJV Esther 4:2 BibleApps.com Esther 4:2 Biblia Paralela Esther 4:2 Chinese Bible Esther 4:2 French Bible Esther 4:2 Catholic Bible OT History: Esther 4:2 He came even before the king's gate (Est Esth. 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