Esther 4:2

2 He stopped before entering the King's Gate, since no one was allowed to go inside the King's Gate wearing sackcloth.

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 Mordekhai learned everything that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes and went out through the city, lamenting and crying bitterly.

2 He stopped before entering the King's Gate, since no one was allowed to go inside the King's Gate wearing sackcloth.

3 In every province reached by the king's order and decree, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing, as many lay down on sackcloth and ashes.

4 When the girls and officials attending Ester came and informed her of this, the queen became deeply distressed. She sent clothes for Mordekhai to wear instead of his sackcloth, but he wouldn't accept them.

5 So Ester summoned Hatakh, one of the king's officials attending her, and instructed him to go to Mordekhai and find out what this was all about and why.