The beginning of this new section is marked by the Hebrew construction with the connective conjunction and the verb “to be,” together with a time reference (see Neh 1.1). Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation both omit a formal equivalent of the Hebrew form. Translators should use the appropriate conjunction or linking expression in receptor language narrative.

The time was the month of Nisan, the start of the New Year in the Babylonian calendar. This calendar began with the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere at the spring equinox. The name Nisan is from an Akkadian word meaning “opening” or “beginning.” This was also the first month in the Hebrew calendar, where it was given the Canaanite name “Abib” (see Exo 13.4). This is the time of year from mid-March to mid-April (see “Translating Ezra and Nehemiah,” pages 25-26).

It is stated that this was in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes. However, in 1.1 “the twentieth year” is also referred to. This creates a problem because of the months that are named. The account of Nehemiah in chapter 1 begins in the month of Chislev and the events of this chapter follow in the month of Nisan. Nisan was the first month of the year and therefore could not come after Chislev in the same year. Some commentators have suggested changing 1.1 to “the nineteenth year.” Others suggest that this does not refer to the calendar year, but to the year of the king’s reign, dated from the month of his coming to the throne. Still others suggest that the calendar year that is referred to here is one in which the new year began in the autumn. Good News Translation avoids the problem by specifying the length of time from the first event and omitting the name of the month. It is best for translators to translate the text as it stands and not try to resolve this apparent problem in the calendar.

When wine was before him may indicate the time of a feast. The New Year feast was a time when the Persian kings granted favors to those of the king’s household who had asked for them. Some versions translate the Hebrew text almost literally as Revised Standard Version has done (also Darby, Segond, Nouvelle version Segond révisée, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). However, the meaning of this expression is ambiguous and it could be understood that the king was at a drinking party. Therefore, translators render this clause in various ways. New International Version says “when wine was brought for him”; Good News Translation interprets it in the context of eating a meal: “when Emperor Artaxerxes was dining”; and New English Bible says “when his wine was ready.” One translation has “when he was served wine in observance of the feast.” New Jerusalem Bible interprets it in light of the words at the end of verse 11 of chapter 1 and translates “since I was in charge of the wine.” This follows the text of the Septuagint and the Syriac. But Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives the Hebrew text a C rating and is preferable. The authors of this Handbook suggest a translation like “when it was time to serve the wine to him.” For comments on wine, see Ezra 6.9.

I took up the wine and gave it to the king means that the cupbearer picked up the cup of wine from where it had been placed and served it personally to the king.

Now: In the Revised Standard Version translation this is not a marker of time, but rather an adverb that draws the reader’s attention to a change in the narration. When Now is used this way, it functions as a discourse marker that indicates a break in the account. Here it introduces a comment about events that took place prior to the immediate situation. This is the writer’s personal explanation that he inserts in his account.

I had not been sad in his presence: The Hebrew is translated here in English by a negative pluperfect verb. New Revised Standard Version has “I had never been sad in his presence before.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project prefers the Hebrew text as it is with a B rating (also Revised Standard Version) but understands it to include the idea of “never before,” as in Good News Translation, New International Version, Contemporary English Version, and others. This understanding is recommended to translators. Translators will need to make sure that the chronology reflected in this verse is accurately conveyed; that is, this brief comment is a flashback to the situation prior to the present time. Good News Translation makes explicit the implied meaning: not merely that Nehemiah had not been sad in the presence of the king before, but that the king had not observed him to be unhappy before.

The basic meaning of the Hebrew word for sad is “bad.” Here it refers to Nehemiah’s physical appearance and indicates his emotional state. Nehemiah was serving the king in an official capacity and therefore should not present himself in an unfitting condition. To show signs of sadness in the king’s presence was not acceptable behavior for a servant. In many languages sorrow is expressed idiomatically, for instance, “to have a heavy heart” or “to have a heavy liver.” Translators should use a word or expression that is appropriate for describing Nehemiah’s emotional state in the royal setting.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .