92 GERALD A. KLINGBEIL – CHANTAL J. KLINGBEIL choose to translate the text in a way that circumvents the strange combination and sequence of nouns and verbs 5. Other commentaries do not comment at all on the expression 6. One notable exception can be found in the New International Biblical Commentary which contains a brief note on Neh 1,6, stating that “prayer involved not only words but also body language ” 7. Another refreshing look at Nehemiah 1 (including also verse 6) can be found in the Berit Olam commentary series 8. The narrative focus of this series seems to have obliged the authors to pay closer attention to the language and rhetorical strategies used in the biblical texts. Davies notes the ample use of metaphors. God is imagined as having “ears” and “ eyes ” (Neh 1,6.11). After having heard ([mv) of Jerusalem’s plight (Neh 1,4), Nehemiah wants YHWH to “hear” ([mv) his prayer. Williamson suggests that “it was normal to appeal to God in this way for hearing. The superficially curious juxtapositioning of ‘eyes’ and ‘hearing’ provides a fully intelligible metaphor, known also from 1 Kgs 8,52” 9. We are wondering if this rather general statement is doing justice to the curious phraseology employed in Neh 1,6. A.H.J. GUNNEWEG, Nehemia (Kommentar zum Alten Testament; Berlin 1987) 48, who suggests that the strange addition of the open eyes is the result of the work of a later editor (“Ergänzer”, p. 48) and thinks that this is typical stereotypic prayer language. Compare also I. DE CASTELBAJAC, “Les sources deutéronomistes de la figure royale de Néhémie”, Transeuphratène 28 (2004) 65-76. See W. KESSLER, Gottes Mitarbeiter am Wiederaufbau. Die Propheten 5 Esra und Nehemia (BAT 12/4; Stuttgart 1971) 85, who translates: “Lass doch dein Ohr aufmerken und deine Augen offen sein und höre auf das Gebet deines Knechtes . . . ”. The KJV ASV and NKJV also seem to opt for translating the , , infinitive construct form [mvl as a dependent relative clause, introduced by -o ˆ i “ that ...”. D. KIDNER, Ezra and Nehemiah. An Introduction and Commentary 6 (TOTC ; Leicester 1979) 79; F.C. FENSHAM, The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah (NICOT ; Grand Rapids, MI 1982) 155; F.C. HOLMGREN, Israel Alive Again. A Commentary on the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah (ITC ; Grand Rapids, MI 1987) 91–92; J. BECKER, Esra/Nehemia (Neue Echter Bibel 25; Würzburg 1990) 62; M.A. THRONTVEIT, Ezra-Nehemiah (Interpretation ; Louisville, KY 1992) 64; M. BRENEMAN, Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther (NAC 10; Nashville, TN 1993) 172; R.W. KLEIN, “The Books of Ezra & Nehemiah” (The New Interpreter’s Bible; Nashville, TN 1999) III, 751-754. L.C. ALLEN – T.S. LANIAK, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (NIBC 9; Peabody, 7 MA 2003) 92. G.F. DAVIES, Ezra and Nehemiah (Berit Olam; Collegeville, MN 1999) 8 79-96. H.G.M. WILLIAMSON, Ezra, Nehemiah (WBC 16; Dallas, TX 1985) 173. 9