Nehemiah 2 2

Nehemiah 2:2 kjv

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,

Nehemiah 2:2 nkjv

Therefore the king said to me, "Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart." So I became dreadfully afraid,

Nehemiah 2:2 niv

so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid,

Nehemiah 2:2 esv

And the king said to me, "Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of the heart." Then I was very much afraid.

Nehemiah 2:2 nlt

So the king asked me, "Why are you looking so sad? You don't look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled." Then I was terrified,

Nehemiah 2 verses

Nehemiah 2 2 Meaning

Nehemiah 2:2 reveals a pivotal moment where King Artaxerxes directly addresses Nehemiah's visibly sad demeanor, discerning that his sorrow is not from physical sickness but from deep inner distress. Nehemiah's immediate reaction is profound fear, recognizing the perilous nature of this unexpected royal inquiry and its implications. This verse highlights the king's perceptive observation and Nehemiah's immediate, natural human reaction to a high-stakes encounter with absolute power.

Nehemiah 2 2 Context

Nehemiah 2:2 takes place after Nehemiah has mourned and prayed for four months over the desolation of Jerusalem (Neh 1:1-4, Neh 2:1). He serves as the trusted cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, a position of great proximity and influence, yet also significant risk. The scene is set in Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes' reign. Prior to this, Nehemiah had kept his deep sorrow concealed from the king, understanding that displaying sadness in the king's presence, especially in the royal court, was generally frowned upon and potentially punishable, as it could suggest dissatisfaction with the king or a threat to the king's peace. The king's direct observation and interrogation force Nehemiah out of his carefully maintained composure and into a moment of vulnerability and potential danger. This interaction is the crucial turning point, setting the stage for Nehemiah's bold request.

Nehemiah 2 2 Word analysis

• So the king said to me,
  • This is a direct, personal address. The King initiates the conversation, underscoring his observant nature and possibly divine providence.
• 'Why is your face sad,
  • face (פָּנֶיךָ, paneykha): Refers to Nehemiah's countenance, the most immediate outward expression of one's inner state. In ancient Near Eastern courts, an uncheerful disposition could be seen as an affront to the king's prosperity and well-being.
  • sad (דַּלִּים, dallim): Implies a drooped, downcast, or emaciated appearance. It reflects a state of physical weakness or emotional distress, visible on the face.
• since you are not sick?
  • The king shrewdly differentiates between physical ailment and emotional distress. He recognizes Nehemiah's general health, which deepens his query about the sadness.
• This is nothing but sadness of heart.'
  • sadness (רֹעַ, roa'): Literally "badness" or "evil." In this context, it signifies distress, affliction, or trouble, referring to an internal condition, not moral wickedness. The king's diagnosis is insightful.
  • of heart (לֵב, lev): In Hebrew thought, the heart is not merely an organ but the center of thought, emotion, and will. The king accurately identifies the root cause of Nehemiah's external appearance as coming from a deep internal burden. This perception can be seen as remarkably astute for a secular ruler, perhaps even divinely influenced, as kings' hearts are often depicted as being in God's hand.
• Then I was very much afraid.
  • very much afraid (וָאִירָא מְאֹד, wa'i'ra' me'od): Expresses profound fear. Nehemiah's position was highly vulnerable. Kings had absolute power, and displeasing them could result in immediate death (Est 4:11). Moreover, the subject of Jerusalem's walls had been legally forbidden (Ezra 4:21). Nehemiah's fear is a natural human response to confronting an absolute monarch about a sensitive issue that directly affects the king's decree. This fear is a realistic assessment of the stakes, not a lack of faith, preceding his prayer and bold request in the next verses.

Nehemiah 2 2 Bonus section

The position of cupbearer was one of immense trust, proximity, and often significant political influence in ancient Persian courts. The cupbearer was responsible for ensuring the king's wine was not poisoned, thus implying a deep personal relationship and fidelity. Nehemiah's prolonged sorrow had clearly, yet subtly, impacted his appearance even in this guarded role, attracting the king's direct personal inquiry. This suggests a king who was unusually perceptive or divinely prompted, highlighting that God works even through the everyday observations of powerful rulers to accomplish His will.

Nehemiah 2 2 Commentary

Nehemiah 2:2 serves as the dramatic turning point in Nehemiah's narrative, elevating his private anguish into a public challenge. The king's keen observation not only notices Nehemiah's unusual sadness but also accurately diagnoses its origin—a deep internal distress of heart, rather than a mere physical ailment. This insight from a pagan ruler could be interpreted as God's subtle work, aligning a powerful individual's attention with divine purposes (Prov 21:1).

Nehemiah's immediate and overwhelming fear (wa'i'ra' me'od) is not a sign of spiritual weakness, but a recognition of the immense power discrepancy and the political danger involved. To confess a burdened heart for Jerusalem was to implicitly challenge imperial policy that had previously halted the rebuilding efforts (Ezra 4:21). The very act of standing before the king with a visible sorrow, which could imply dissatisfaction, was highly risky in a royal court. Yet, it is within this crucible of fear that Nehemiah must choose between silence and courage. His fear underscores the gravity of the situation and sets the stage for his subsequent courageous faith. This verse encapsulates the tension between human vulnerability and divine sovereignty that characterizes Nehemiah's entire mission.