en_tn/neh/02/01.md

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 storyline. 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.