Daniel 1

¹In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

Commentary · verse 1

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, went to Jerusalem and besieged it on behalf of his father Nabopolassar. Nebuchadnezzar became king when his father died during the time of this siege. This took place about 600 B.C. Israel had been taken captive 100 years earlier, so at this time, all of God's people (Judah and Israel) were under a heathen king.

²And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god: and he brought the vessels into the treasure-house of his god.

²And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

Commentary · verse 2

God gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah, into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. This occurred in the fourth year of Jehoiakim because Nebuchadnezzar was delayed in his war with Egypt.

³And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in certain of the children of Israel, even of the seed royal and of the nobles;

³And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;

Commentary · verse 3

The king told Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring certain children of Israel to Babylon. Notice, these children were of royal blood. This fulfilled Isaiah 39:1-8.

⁴youths in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skilful in all wisdom, and endued with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability to stand in the king’s palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

⁴Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

Commentary · verse 4

Children who have no blemish, well-favored, skillful in all wisdom, endued with (cunning in) knowledge, and understanding science.

In this verse "understanding" was Strong's #995 biyn - "to discern, understand, consider."
In this verse "science" was Strong's #4093 madda - "intelligence or consciousness."

In 2 Chronicles 1 Solomon requested, and was given by God, this same madda. From that application and this verse, we see these youths had the ability to understand intelligence, to understand the process of thinking.

⁵And the king appointed for them a daily portion of the king’s dainties, and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years; that at the end thereof they should stand before the king.

⁶Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

⁷And the prince of the eunuchs gave names unto them: unto Daniel he gave the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.

⁵And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

⁶Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

⁷Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed–nego.

Commentary · verses 5-7

The program to train these children would last for three years. The children of Judah who Melzar (the prince of the eunuchs) gave new names to were:

Daniel (Belteshazzar),
Hananiah (Shadrach),
Mishael (Meshach), and
Azariah (Abed-nego).

The four of them, who had names of God (ending in 'el' or 'ah' for Elohim or Jehovah) were given names according to Nebuchadnezzar's gods. Daniel was named according to their chief god: Bel. Hananiah and Mishael were named according to their moon god: Aku. Azariah was named according to Nego.

⁸But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s dainties, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

⁸But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Commentary · verse 8

Daniel truly committed himself to not defiling himself.

⁹Now God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs.

⁹Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

Commentary · verse 9

Similar to what Joseph experienced with his jailers (Genesis 39:21). There were many similarities between Joseph and Daniel. For now, we see Joseph and Daniel both lived in heathen kingdoms.

¹⁰And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths that are of your own age? so would ye endanger my head with the king.

¹¹Then said Daniel to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: ¹²Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

¹³Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king’s dainties; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

¹⁰And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

¹¹Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

¹²Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

¹³Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

Commentary · verses 10-13

Daniel started a science experiment. Daniel put Melzar's life on the line with this test. Daniel and his three friends would be vegetarians for ten days and after would have their countenances checked.

¹⁴So he hearkened unto them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

¹⁴So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

Commentary · verse 14

Melzar (prince of the eunuchs) agreed to the experiment.

¹⁵And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths that did eat of the king’s dainties.

¹⁵And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.

Commentary · verse 15

Daniel was right.

¹⁶So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.

¹⁶Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

Commentary · verse 16

Melzar continued to help Daniel and his three friends remain undefiled.

¹⁷Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

¹⁷As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Commentary · verse 17

In this verse, "knowledge" was madda. Notice, God gave this madda to Daniel and his three friends just as God gave madda to Solomon. Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams, he knew the WHY.

¹⁸And at the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

¹⁹And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

²⁰And in every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm.

¹⁸Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

¹⁹And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

²⁰And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

Commentary · verses 18-20

Daniel's deal worked and brought them to the attention of a heathen king (like Pharaoh with Joseph). In all matters of wisdom and understanding, the king found Daniel and his friends ten times better than the magicians and astrologers.

²¹And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

Commentary · verse 21

Daniel continued in this office for the rest of the seventy years of captivity unto the time of Cyrus. This book was written at that time, so Daniel could have actually continued even longer.

Daniel 1

Collections

Collections

Saved

Doctrines