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

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

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.

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.

And he came even before the king's doorway; for no one might come inside the king's door clothed in haircloth.

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.

Before the king's gate - He could not enter into the gate, of the place where the officers waited, because he was in the habit of a mourner; for this would have been contrary to law.

And came even before the king's (a) gate: for none [might] enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
(a) Because he would inform Esther of this cruel proclamation.

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.

And came even before the king's gate, i.e., according to Esther 4:6, the open space before the entrance to the royal palace; for none might enter wearing mourning. לבוא אין, there is no entering, i.e., none may enter; comp. Ewald, 321, c.

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?