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Esther 4:2

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Esther 4:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and he came even before the king`s gate: for none might enter within the king`s gate clothed with sackcloth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and he came even before the king`s gate: for none might enter within the king`s gate clothed with sackcloth.
Esther 4:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Esther 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Now when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
2and he came even before the king`s gate: for none might enter within the king`s gate clothed with sackcloth.
3And in every province, whithersoever the king`s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4And Esther`s maidens and her chamberlains came and told it her; and the queen was exceedingly grieved: and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take his sackcloth from off him; but he received it not.
5Then called Esther for Hathach, one of the king`s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and charged him to go to Mordecai, to know what this was, and why it was.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And came even before the king’s gate, etc.] 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.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“None 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. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Sackcloth - Lest it should give the king any occasion of grief and trouble. But what availed, to keep out the badges of sorrow unless they could have kept out the causes of sorrow too? To forbid sackcloth to enter unless they could likewise forbid sickness, and trouble, and death? Esther 4:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:2 no one was allowed: The king did not want to hear all the sorry stories of misfortune and people pleading for mercy.”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification