The term translated here as afraid
is the common word for fear.
Both the English as well as the Hebrew language allows for a range of meaning in the word fear,
moving from fright to awe (Jonah 1:5, Jonah 1:9–10, Jonah 1:16). The context typically informs the nuance of the word fear.
Commentators suggest that it was not appropriate in ancient times for a courtier to have a long face in the king’s presence. It is also suggested that perhaps Artaxerxes saw in Nehemiah’s face some worry about a potential palace plot against the king. Both of these suggestions would support the translation afraid.
While we do not wish to dismiss these suggestions as impossible, we note that the context points to another possible answer. Nehemiah had been in earnest prayer to the Lord God of heaven for many weeks (Nehemiah 1:5–6). The prayer as we have it would then not be verbatim what Nehemiah prayed each day but captures the drift of his daily petitions. The prayer as we have it closes with a petition that the Lord give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man
(Nehemiah 1:11). This man
is King Artaxerxes; today
captures Nehemiah’s expectation that he in his daily work will need to see the king shortly. That the king now engages his cupbearer in conversation with an opening that allows Nehemiah to bring up the topic that has filled his heart for the past weeks is unexpected. But suddenly, in answer to prayer, the moment has arrived. We can imagine that Nehemiah is momentarily overwhelmed, filled with awe at the way the Lord is leading circumstances. In that understanding, translating the word fear
with awe
would be appropriate. The exegete will need to choose which of these two is appropriate.
2 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.