The Meaning of Esther 4:2 Explained

Esther 4:2

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

YLT: 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.

Darby: and came even before the king's gate; for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

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

Discover Esther 4:2

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Esther 4:2?

MEANING: What does Esther 4:2 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Esther 4:2 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Esther 4:2?

What is the context of Esther 4:2?

Esther Learns of Haman’s Plot (Esther 4:1-14)
Mordecai Requests Esther’s Help (Esther 4:1-17)
Mordecai Seeks Esther’s Help (Esther 4:1-17)
Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help (Esther 4:1-17)
Mordecai Tells Esther of Haman’s Plot (Esther 4:1-17)
Mordecai Appeals to Esther (Esther 4:1-17)
Esther Agrees to Help the Jews (Esther 4:1-17)

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Esther 4:2 Mean?

Context Summary

Esther 4:1-17 - Opportunity For Patriotic Devotion

It seemed as if the whole nation would suddenly be cut off to satisfy the hatred of Haman, and Mordecai knew that he had been the cause of the plot. Esther was evidently living in close sympathy with her uncle, though now separated from him. In reply to the demand that she should hazard her life for the people, there was at first a natural reluctance. Was her love for her people greater than her love for herself? In her resolve there was surely something of the great love of Christ. We may be quite sure that God will carry out His plans-with us, if possible; if not, in spite of us, to our utter loss. We should look upon our position as a sacred trust to be used for others. We are created for good works, which God hath prepared for us to walk in. There can be no presumption in action which is preceded by prayer and heart-searching. [source]

Chapter Summary: Esther 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

What do the individual words in Esther 4:2 mean?

And He went even as far as the front of gate of the king for no one [might] enter into gate of the king clothed with sackcloth

וַיָּב֕וֹא עַ֖ד לִפְנֵ֣י שַֽׁעַר־ הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּ֣י אֵ֥ין לָב֛וֹא אֶל־ שַׁ֥עַר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בִּלְב֥וּשׁ שָֽׂק

וַיָּב֕וֹא	And He went
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular Root: בֹּוא Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
עַ֖ד	even
Parse: Preposition Root: עַד Sense: as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as.
לִפְנֵ֣י	as far as the front
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, common plural construct Root: לִפְנֵי Sense: face.
שַֽׁעַר־	of gate
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct Root: שַׁעַר Sense: gate.
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ	of the king
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular Root: מֶלֶךְ Sense: king.
אֵ֥ין	no one
Parse: Adverb Root: אַיִן Sense: nothing, not, nought n.
לָב֛וֹא	[might] enter
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct Root: בֹּוא Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
אֶל־	into
Parse: Preposition Root: אֶל Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
שַׁ֥עַר	gate
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct Root: שַׁעַר Sense: gate.
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ	of the king
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular Root: מֶלֶךְ Sense: king.
בִּלְב֥וּשׁ	clothed
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct Root: לָבוּשׁ Sense: clothing, garment, apparel, raiment.
שָֽׂק	with sackcloth
Parse: Noun, masculine singular Root: שַׂק Sense: mesh, sackcloth, sack, sacking.

What are the major concepts related to Esther 4:2?

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