Daniel 1:10

And 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.

And the prince {H8269} of the eunuchs {H5631} said {H559} unto Daniel {H1840}, I fear {H3373} my lord {H113} the king {H4428}, who hath appointed {H4487} your meat {H3978} and your drink {H4960}: for why should he see {H7200} your faces {H6440} worse liking {H2196} than the children {H3206} which are of your sort {H1524}? then shall ye make me endanger {H2325} my head {H7218} to the king {H4428}.

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."

but he said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking thinner than those of the other young men your age? You would endanger my head before the king!”

And 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.

Daniel 1:10 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Daniel and his companions during their captivity in Babylon. This verse highlights the immediate concern of the prince of the eunuchs (Ashpenaz, named in Daniel 1:3) regarding Daniel’s request not to eat the king's rich food and wine. The prince expresses deep fear of King Nebuchadnezzar's wrath, as his own life would be jeopardized if Daniel and his friends appeared less healthy than other young men under his care.

Context

Following the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered that select young men from the Israelite nobility be brought to Babylon for a three-year training program, after which they would serve in his court. These youths, including Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, were to be fed from the king's own provisions. However, in Daniel 1:8, Daniel "purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself" with the king's food and drink, likely due to dietary laws (kosher) or the food's association with idolatrous practices. Verse 10 reveals the prince's understandable apprehension, caught between Daniel's conviction and the king's strict demands, which carried severe consequences for failure.

Key Themes

  • Fear of Man vs. Fear of God: The prince's fear is entirely directed toward the king ("I fear my lord the king"), highlighting the immense power and potential cruelty of earthly rulers. This stands in stark contrast to Daniel's own commitment, which is driven by a higher obedience to God's principles, even if it meant defying the king's decree indirectly.
  • Personal Responsibility and Risk: The prince of the eunuchs is directly responsible for the well-being and appearance of these young men. His statement, "then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king," vividly portrays the life-or-death stakes of his position in a despotic regime.
  • Perception and Judgment: The king's judgment was based on outward appearance ("see your faces worse liking"). This emphasizes the superficial nature of royal assessment but also the practical implications of a dietary choice.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "worse liking" is an older English expression from the King James Version, meaning "looking worse" or "less healthy." It refers to their physical appearance. The powerful idiom "endanger my head" directly translates to risking his life, as severe punishment, including execution, was common for those who displeased absolute monarchs like Nebuchadnezzar.

Practical Application

Daniel 1:10 reminds us that standing firm in our convictions can sometimes create discomfort or perceived risk for others, especially those in positions of authority over us. It challenges believers to consider:

  • How do we navigate situations where our obedience to God might inconvenience or even threaten the position of others?
  • Do we prioritize the fear of man (and its consequences) over our commitment to God's will?
  • This verse sets the stage for Daniel's wisdom and God's intervention, showing how God can grant favor and work through the fears of others to achieve His purposes, as seen in Daniel 1:17.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 6:16

    Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

  • Matthew 6:18

    That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

  • John 12:42

    ¶ Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess [him], lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

  • John 12:43

    For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

  • Proverbs 29:25

    ¶ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

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