Translations
Modern
…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
Traditional
Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
Literal
And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, and you are not sick? This is nothing except but sorrow of heart.” And I feared very much,
Latin
Dixitque mihi rex: Quare vultus tuus tristis est, cum te ægrotum non videam? non est hoc frustra, sed malum nescio quod in corde tuo est. Et timui valde, ac nimis:
Original
Hebrew
English
…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
Notes
Nehemiah felt scared because he showed his sadness and did not know how the king would react if he explained why he was upset. King Artaxerxes had earlier ordered that Jerusalem should not be rebuilt (Ezra 4:21–22). Nehemiah was not pretending; his deep mourning was visible despite his efforts to hide it.
When Nehemiah heard about Jerusalem's ruins, he prayed for God's help (Nehemiah 1:1–11) and asked the king to send him to Jerusalem (2:1–8). Upon arrival, he urged the people to rebuild the city's wall (Nehemiah 2:11–20).
Theme notes and profiles
Glossary
Topics
Countenance: Sad Country: Love of Nehemiah: Son of Hachaliah is Sent by the King to Rebuild Jerusalem