TRV
Translation
King James Version
Then 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.
Complete Jewish Bible
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."
Berean Standard Bible
Then compare our appearances with those of the young men who are eating the royal food, and deal with your servants according to what you see.”
American Standard Version
Then 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.
World English Bible Messianic
Then let our faces be looked on before you, and the face of the youths who eat of the king’s dainties; and as you see, deal with your servants.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then let our countenances bee looked vpon before thee, and the countenances of the children that eate of the portion of the Kings meate: and as thou seest, deale with thy seruantes.
Young's Literal Translation
and our appearance is seen before thee, and the appearance of the lads who are eating the king's portion of food, and as thou seest--deal with thy servants.'
Study This Verse
Commentary on Daniel 1 verses 8–16
8 ¶ But 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.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
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.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then 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.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And 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.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
We observe here, very much to our satisfaction,
I. That Daniel was a favourite with the prince of the eunuchs (Dan 1:9), as Joseph was with the keeper of the prison; he had a tender love for him. No doubt Daniel deserved it, and recommended himself by his ingenuity and sweetness of temper (he was greatly beloved, Dan 9:23); and yet it is said here that it was God that brought him into favour with the prince of the eunuchs, for every one does not meet with acceptance according to his merits. Note, The interest which we think we make for ourselves we must acknowledge to be God's gift, and must ascribe to him the glory of it. Whoever are in favour, it is God that has brought them into favour; and it is by him that they find good understanding. Herein was again verified That work (Psa 106:46), He made them to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. Let young ones know that the way to be acceptable is to be tractable and dutiful.
II. That Daniel was still firm to his religion. They had changed his name, but they could not change his nature. Whatever they pleased to call him, he still retained the spirit of an Israelite indeed. He would apply his mind as closely as any of them to his books, and took pains to make himself master of the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans, but he was resolved that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, he would not meddle with it, nor with the wine which he drank, Dan 1:8. And having communicated his purpose, with the reasons of it, to his fellows, they concurred in the same resolution, as appears, Dan 1:11. This was not out of sullenness, or peevishness, or a spirit of contradiction, but from a principle of conscience. Perhaps it was not in itself unlawful for them to eat of the king's meat or to drink of his wine. But, 1. They were scrupulous concerning the meat, lest it should be sinful. Sometimes such meat would be set before them as was expressly forbidden by their law, as swine's flesh; or they were afraid lest it should have been offered in sacrifice to an idol, or blessed in the name of an idol. The Jews were distinguished from other nations very much by their meats (Lev 11:45, Lev 11:46), and these pious young men, being in a strange country, thought themselves obliged to keep up the honour of their being a peculiar people. Though they could not keep up their dignity as princes, they would not lose it as Israelites; for on that they most valued themselves. Note, When God's people are in Babylon they have need to take special care that they partake not in her sins. Providence seemed to lay this meat before them; being captives they must eat what they could get and must not disoblige their masters; yet, if the command be against it, they must abide by that. Though Providence says, Kill and eat, conscience says, Not so, Lord, for nothing common or unclean has come into my mouth. 2. They were jealous over themselves, lest, though it should not be sinful in itself, it should be an occasion of sin to them, lest, by indulging their appetites with these dainties, they should grow sinful, voluptuous, and in love with the pleasures of Babylon. They had learned David's prayer, Let me not eat of their dainties (Psa 141:4), and Solomon's precept, Be not desirous of dainties, for they are deceitful meat (Pro 23:3), and accordingly they form their resolution. Note, It is very much the praise of all, and especially of young people, to be dead to the delights of sense, not to covet them, not to relish them, but to look upon them with indifference. Those that would excel in wisdom and piety must learn betimes to keep under the body and bring it into subjection. 3. However, they thought it unseasonable now, when Jerusalem was in distress, and they themselves were in captivity. They had no heart to drink wine in bowls, so much were they grieved for the affliction of Joseph. Though they had royal blood in their veins, yet they did not think it proper to have royal dainties in their mouths when they were thus brought low. Note, It becomes us to be humble under humbling providences. Call me not Naomi; call me Marah. See the benefit of affliction; by the account Jeremiah gives of the princes and great men now at Jerusalem it appears that they were very corrupt and wicked, and defiled themselves with things offered to idols, while these young gentlemen that were in captivity would not defile themselves, no, not with their portion of the king's meat. How much better is it with those that retain their integrity in the depths of affliction than with those that retain their iniquity in the heights of prosperity! Observe, The great thing that Daniel avoided was defiling himself with the pollutions of sin; that is the thing we should be more afraid of than of any outward trouble. Daniel, having taken up this resolution, requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself, not only that he might not be compelled to do it, but that he might not be tempted to do it, that the bait might not be laid before him, that he might not see the portion appointed him of the king's meat, nor look upon the wine when it was red. It will be easier to keep the temptation at a distance than to suffer it to come near and then be forced to put a knife to our throat. Note, We cannot better improve our interest in any with whom we have found favour than by making use of them to keep us from sin.
III. That God wonderfully owned him herein. When Daniel requested that he might have none of the king's meat or wine set before him the prince of the eunuchs objected that, if he and his fellows were not found in as good case as any of their companions, he should be in danger of having anger and of losing his head, Dan 1:10. Daniel, to satisfy him that there would be no danger of any bad consequence, desires the matter might be put to a trial. He applies himself further to the under-officer, Melzar, or the steward: "Prove us for ten days; during that time let us have nothing but pulse to eat, nothing but herbs and fruits, or parched peas or lentils, and nothing but water to drink, and see how we can live upon that, and proceed accordingly," Dan 1:13. People will not believe the benefit of abstemiousness and a spare diet, nor how much it contributes to the health of the body, unless they try it. Trial was accordingly made. Daniel and his fellows lived for ten days upon pulse and water, hard fare for young men of genteel extraction and education, and which one would rather expect they should have indented against than petitioned for; but at the end of the ten days they were compared with the other children, and were found fairer and fatter in flesh, of a more healthful look and better complexion, than all those who did eat the portion of the king's meat, Dan 1:15. This was in part a natural effect of their temperance, but it must be ascribed to the special blessing of God, which will make a little to go a great way, a dinner of herbs better than a stalled ox. By this it appears that man lives not by bread alone; pulse and water shall be the most nourishing food if God speak the word. See what it is to keep ourselves pure from the pollutions of sin; it is the way to have that comfort and satisfaction which will be health to the navel and marrow to the bones, while the pleasures of sin are rottenness to the bones.
IV. That his master countenanced him. The steward did not force them to eat against their consciences, but, as they desired, gave them pulse and water (Dan 1:16), the pleasures of which they enjoyed, and we have reason to think were not envied the enjoyment. Here is a great example of temperance and contentment with mean things; and (as Epicurus said) "he that lives according to nature will never be poor, but he that lives according to opinion will never be rich." This wonderful abstemiousness of these young men in the days of their youth contributed to the fitting of them, 1. For their eminent services. Hereby they kept their minds clear and unclouded, and fit for contemplation, and saved for the best employments a great deal both of time and thought; and thus they prevented those diseases which indispose men for the business of age that owe their rise to the intemperances of youth. 2. For their eminent sufferings. Those that had thus inured themselves to hardship, and lived a life of self-denial and mortification, could the more easily venture upon the fiery furnace and the den of lions, rather than sin against God.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 8–16. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Daniel 1:13 presents Daniel's astute and faith-filled proposition to Melzar, the Babylonian court official, for a ten-day dietary trial. This pivotal verse outlines Daniel's strategic plan to demonstrate that a diet honoring God, consisting of simple vegetables and water, would result in a superior physical appearance compared to the young men consuming the king's rich, potentially defiling, provisions. It stands as a testament to Daniel's profound faith, diplomatic wisdom, and trust in divine vindication for his convictions, setting the stage for God's manifest favor.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Daniel 1:13 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most evident is Contrast, which establishes a direct comparison between two distinct dietary regimens (the simple diet of vegetables and water versus the king's rich provisions) and anticipates a contrasting physical outcome. This contrast serves to highlight the spiritual and physical implications of obedience versus compromise. Metonymy is also prominently featured in the repeated use of "countenances" (Hebrew: marʼeh) to represent the overall health, vitality, and well-being of the young men. The face, as the most visible and expressive part of the body, stands in for the entire physical condition, serving as a clear, observable metric for the proposed test. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a narrative device of Testing or Trial, where a specific, measurable condition is proposed to prove a hypothesis. This trial serves not only as a crucial plot device to advance the story but also as a profound theological statement, demonstrating God's consistent ability to sustain, bless, and distinguish those who honor Him, even under seemingly disadvantageous or impossible circumstances. The humility and wisdom embedded in Daniel's proposal, framed as a respectful request to "deal with thy servants" based on observation, also subtly showcases Diplomacy and Prudence as essential virtues in navigating challenging and politically sensitive situations.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 1:13 stands as a powerful theological statement, affirming that faithful obedience to God, even in seemingly minor matters like diet, can lead to tangible divine favor and vindication. It underscores the profound biblical principle that God is intimately and actively involved in the lives of His people, honoring their unwavering commitment and providing for them in ways that often defy human expectation or conventional wisdom. The verse demonstrates that spiritual integrity is not merely an internal conviction but can manifest in observable, physical ways, serving as a compelling witness to those outside the faith. It also teaches the critical importance of wisdom, discernment, and strategic thinking in advocating for one's convictions, choosing a path of respectful testing and humble submission rather than confrontational defiance. This approach creates an open opportunity for God to display His power and faithfulness. This narrative sets a foundational precedent for God's supernatural intervention on behalf of His obedient servants, a pattern beautifully repeated throughout the book of Daniel and echoed across biblical history.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 1:13 offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers navigating a world that frequently stands in opposition to biblical principles. Like Daniel, we are constantly faced with choices that test the depth of our convictions—whether concerning our diet, entertainment, career paths, financial decisions, or social interactions. This verse challenges us to critically examine the source of our true sustenance and well-being: are we relying on the world's enticing but potentially defiling offerings, or are we trusting in God's provision and adhering to His timeless principles? It powerfully encourages us not to compromise our faith for perceived worldly advantages or out of fear of human disapproval. Instead, Daniel's example calls us to seek God's divine wisdom in finding creative, respectful, and faith-filled ways to stand firm in our convictions. Daniel's willingness to put God to the test, trusting implicitly in His faithfulness, serves as a poignant reminder that obedience is not a burdensome obligation but a glorious invitation to experience God's supernatural blessing, vindication, and transformative power in our lives. Our "countenances"—our very lives, our character, and our public witness—can become a visible and compelling testimony to the transforming power of God when we consistently prioritize His ways above all else.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why didn't Daniel simply refuse the king's food outright, rather than proposing a test?
Answer: Daniel's approach in Daniel 1:13 showcases remarkable wisdom, discernment, and strategic thinking, characteristic of a true statesman and a man deeply reliant on God. An outright, defiant refusal of the king's food would have been perceived as direct insubordination to King Nebuchadnezzar, a grave offense in the Babylonian court, potentially leading to severe punishment, even death, not only for Daniel and his friends but also for the steward, Melzar, who was directly responsible for their well-being. Daniel keenly understood the delicate political situation and the genuine fear Melzar harbored of displeasing the king (Daniel 1:10). Instead of a confrontational act, Daniel proposed a measurable, time-bound test that allowed God to demonstrate His power and faithfulness without unnecessarily putting human lives at risk. This strategic wisdom allowed Daniel to honor God's commands while simultaneously respecting the human authority placed over him, thereby creating a providential opportunity for divine intervention rather than forcing a destructive confrontation.
What was the significance of "countenances" in Daniel's proposal?
Answer: The "countenances" (Hebrew: marʼeh) in Daniel 1:13 refers to the facial appearance and overall physical well-being of Daniel and his friends. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a person's complexion, vitality, plumpness, and general outward appearance were often seen as direct and undeniable indicators of their health, the quality of their diet, and even their inner state. Daniel shrewdly proposed this as the objective, observable metric for the ten-day trial. He believed, with unwavering faith, that God would so profoundly bless their obedience to a simple, pure diet that their physical appearance would visibly surpass that of the youths who consumed the king's rich, potentially defiling, fare. The "countenances" thus served as the irrefutable, empirical evidence of God's favor and the visible superiority of their God-honoring lifestyle, providing a tangible and undeniable demonstration of their faith and God's power.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 1:13, though deeply embedded in its specific historical context, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment and resonance in numerous ways. Daniel's unwavering resolve not to defile himself and his complete reliance on God for sustenance powerfully foreshadow Christ's perfect obedience and His radical teaching on true nourishment. Just as Daniel rejected the king's potentially defiling food, Jesus, the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, perfectly resisted all temptation to compromise His divine mission, even when offered the kingdoms of the world and their glory (Matthew 4:8-10). Daniel's trust that God would sustain him on a simple diet directly points to Jesus' profound declaration that "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4), emphasizing spiritual sustenance over physical. The visible blessing on Daniel's "countenance"—his outward appearance reflecting inner purity and divine favor—prefigures the spiritual transformation available to all believers in Christ, who are called to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1-2), and whose inner man is being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). Ultimately, Daniel's test of faith and God's subsequent vindication points to Christ as the one through whom all of God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20), providing the true, undefiled spiritual sustenance that leads to abundant and eternal life (John 6:35).