Nehemiah 2:2
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,
Cross-reference
Genesis 40:7
Parallel
Genesis 40:7 has Pharaoh (or Joseph) asking why officials are downcast — the same question Artaxerxes asks Nehemiah about his sad face.
Proverbs 15:13
Parallel
In Proverbs 15:13, the same link between heart and face is stated: a sad heart makes a gloomy face, mirroring the king's observation of Nehemiah.
1 Kings 21:5
Parallel
In 1 Kings 21:5, Jezebel asks Ahab the same question: 'Why is your spirit sullen?' — a direct parallel to the king's question about Nehemiah's sad face.
Proverbs 12:25
Parallel
In Proverbs 12:25, anxiety weighs down the heart — exactly the burden Nehemiah carries, which shows on his face.
Psalm 13:2
Related theme
In Psalm 13:2, David laments 'sorrow in my heart all the day' — the same inner grief Nehemiah feels, though David's is prolonged.