1.4 KiB
In the month of Nisan
"Nisan" is the name of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths)
in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king
"in the 20th year that Artaxerxes was king" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal)
Now
This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Nehemiah tells background information about his demeanor before the king. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background)
But the king
"So the king"
Why is your face so sad
Here Nehemiah is referred to by his face because the face shows one's emotions. AT: "Why are you so sad" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche)
This must be sadness of heart
This speaks of Nehemiah being sad as if his heart were sad, since the heart is often considered the center of emotions. AT: "You must be very sad" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche)
Then I became very much afraid
As Nehemiah prepares to answer, he is afraid because he does not know how the king will respond.