Daniel1

In the third year of Jehoiakim's reign, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieged Jerusalem, and the Lord delivered King Jehoiakim and some temple vessels into his hand. The king then selected choice Israelite youths, including Daniel and his three companions, for three years of training in Chaldean learning and royal provisions. Daniel purposed not to defile himself with the king's meat and wine, requesting a diet of pulse and water instead. God blessed their faithfulness, granting them superior wisdom and knowledge, leading to their esteemed service before King Nebuchadnezzar.

Nebuchadnezzar Besieges Jerusalem

In the third year of the reign of Y'hoyakim king of Y'hudah, N'vukhadnetzar king of Bavel came to Yerushalayim and laid siege to it;

and Adonai handed Y'hoyakim king of Y'hudah over to him, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He took them to the land of Shin'ar, to the house of his god and placed the articles in the storehouse of his god.

The king ordered Ashp'naz, the eunuch serving as his chief officer, to bring into the palace from the people of Isra'el some of royal or noble descent.

They were to be boys without physical defect, handsome in appearance, versed in all kinds of wisdom, quick to learn, discerning, and having the capacity to serve in the king's palace; and he was to teach them the language and literature of the Kasdim.

The king assigned them a daily portion of his own food and the wine he drank, and they were to be cared for in this way for three years. At the end of this time they were to become the king's attendants.

Among these, from the people of Y'hudah, were Dani'el, Hananyah, Misha'el and 'Azaryah.

The chief officer gave them other names - to Dani'el he gave the name Belt'shatzar; to Hananyah, Shadrakh; to Misha'el, Meishakh; and to 'Azaryah, 'Aved-N'go.

Daniel Resolves Not to Defile Himself

But Dani'el resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food or the wine he drank, so he asked the chief officer to be excused from defiling himself.

God caused the chief officer to be kind and sympathetic toward Dani'el;

however, the chief officer said to Dani'el, "I'm afraid of my lord the king. After all, he has given you an allowance of food and drink; so if he were to see you boys looking worse than the others your age, you would be putting my own head in danger from the king."

Then Dani'el said to the guard whom the chief officer had put in charge of Dani'el, Hananyah, Misha'el and 'Azaryah,

"Please! Try an experiment on your servants - for ten days have them give us only vegetables to eat and water to drink.

Then see how we look, and compare us with how the boys who eat the king's food look; and deal with your servants according to what you see."

He agreed to do what they had asked and gave them a ten-day test.

At the end of ten days they looked better and more robust than all the boys who were eating the king's food.

So the guard took away their food and the wine they were supposed to drink, and gave them vegetables.

God Grants Wisdom and Success

To these four boys God had given knowledge and skill in every aspect of learning and wisdom; moreover, Dani'el could understand all kinds of visions and dreams.

When the time the king had set for them to be presented came, the chief officer presented them to N'vukhadnetzar;

and when the king spoke with them, none was found among all of them to compare with Dani'el, Hananyah, Misha'el and 'Azaryah. So they entered the king's service;

and in all matters requiring wisdom and understanding, whenever the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and exorcists in his entire kingdom.

So Dani'el remained there until the first year of King Koresh.

Study Notes for Daniel 1

Verse 1

This date (605 BC) marks the first of three major deportations of the Judeans to Babylon. The mention of Jehoiakim establishes the historical setting, fulfilling prophecies of judgment against Judah.

Verse 2

The phrase 'The Lord gave' is crucial, emphasizing the theological perspective that Nebuchadnezzar’s victory was not accidental but divinely orchestrated judgment. Shinar is the ancient name for Babylonia, recalling the rebellion at Babel (Gen. 11:2).

Verse 3

Nebuchadnezzar sought to integrate the best and brightest foreign captives into his administration. This process required complete assimilation, starting with their education and cultural identity.

Verse 4

The criteria reflect the Babylonian desire for complete intellectual and physical superiority in their servants. The goal of teaching them 'the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans' was to erase their Hebrew identity and loyalty.

Verse 5

Eating the king’s food and drinking his wine symbolized dependence on the Babylonian regime. Furthermore, this food was likely prepared contrary to Mosaic dietary laws or dedicated to Babylonian gods, posing a serious spiritual test.

Verse 7

The new names were a systematic attempt at cultural conversion. Daniel ('God is my judge') was renamed Belteshazzar ('Bel protect his life'), replacing names honoring Yahweh with names honoring Babylonian deities.

Verse 8

This is the pivotal verse, demonstrating Daniel's moral courage and commitment to the covenant despite being held captive. His 'purpose in his heart' shows personal resolve anchored in faith, initiating a conflict between God’s law and the king’s command.

Verse 9

The immediate success of Daniel’s request is attributed to divine favor, illustrating that God honors those who honor Him (1 Sam. 2:30) and can influence the hearts of even pagan officials.

Verse 12

Daniel suggests a test, demonstrating both faithfulness and wisdom. 'Pulse' (Heb. *zērō‘îm*) refers to vegetables, grains, or seeds, a simple diet that would ensure compliance with kosher standards and ritual purity.

Verse 15

The physical outcome confirms that God sustained them despite their adherence to a restrictive diet. This miracle underscores the principle that obedience to God does not result in disadvantage.

Verse 17

The narrative shifts from physical sustenance to intellectual gift. Their knowledge and skill are explicitly stated as God-given, proving that divine favor is the source of their success, not merely their education in Chaldean learning.

Verse 20

The phrase 'ten times better' signifies overwhelming superiority. They surpassed the specialized intellectual elite of Babylon (magicians and astrologers), positioning them for high office and influence.

Verse 21

This concluding note establishes Daniel’s longevity in service, which spanned the entire period of the Babylonian Empire and into the beginning of the Persian Empire (539 BC). This confirms his enduring importance and faithfulness.

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Daniel1

Nebuchadnezzar Besieges Jerusalem

Daniel Resolves Not to Defile Himself

God Grants Wisdom and Success

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