TRV
Translation
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.
Copy as
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.
Copy as
Continue studying Daniel 1:14 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Daniel 1:14 records the pivotal moment when Melzar, the steward, agrees to Daniel's unconventional request to abstain from the king's rich provisions. This verse initiates a ten-day trial period during which Daniel and his three companions would consume only vegetables and water, serving as a test to demonstrate the efficacy of their faith-driven dietary choice and, by extension, God's providential care. Melzar's consent sets the stage for a divine demonstration of wisdom, health, and faithfulness, which proves foundational for Daniel's subsequent distinguished service in the Babylonian court.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Daniel 1:14 employs several literary devices that enrich its meaning and advance the narrative. Narrative Progression is prominently featured as the verse marks a crucial turning point, transitioning from Daniel's persuasive request to the steward's agreement, thereby setting the stage for the impending, decisive test. This immediate acceptance of Daniel's terms builds narrative tension, leading directly to the dramatic outcome in Daniel 1:15. There is an element of Irony in Melzar's consent, as he, a Babylonian official, agrees to a plan that implicitly challenges the king's prescribed regimen and risks his own standing; yet, it is this very agreement that ultimately redounds to his benefit by avoiding the king's displeasure and witnessing a divine miracle. Furthermore, the "ten days" functions as a form of Foreshadowing, subtly hinting at the positive outcome that will validate Daniel's faith and God's faithfulness. The brevity and specificity of the trial period emphasize the impending divine vindication, making the subsequent revelation of their superior health all the more impactful and miraculous.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 1:14 stands as a powerful testament to the efficacy of unwavering faith combined with wisdom and diplomacy. It illustrates that God is sovereign even in the courts of foreign kings, capable of moving the hearts of those in authority to facilitate His purposes for His faithful servants. Daniel's willingness to put God to the test, not out of presumption but out of deep conviction, demonstrates a profound trust in divine providence. This episode highlights that obedience to God's commands, even in seemingly minor matters like diet, can lead to supernatural favor and vindication, proving that God honors those who honor Him. The steward's consent to the trial is a direct manifestation of the favor God had already granted Daniel (Daniel 1:9), setting the stage for a public demonstration of God's blessing on those who prioritize His will above worldly conformity. This passage reassures believers that God is actively involved in their circumstances, even when they are in challenging or hostile environments.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 1:14 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers navigating a world often at odds with biblical values. It encourages us to cultivate a deep-seated conviction in God's Word, enabling us to stand firm in our faith even when faced with significant pressure to compromise. Daniel's approach was not confrontational but diplomatic, suggesting a test rather than making a demand. This teaches us the importance of wisdom, respect, and strategic thinking when seeking to live out our faith in challenging environments. We are called to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16), seeking creative and respectful ways to uphold our convictions without alienating others. Ultimately, Daniel's willingness to undergo a "proof" period underscores the necessity of trusting God for the outcome. Our obedience is our responsibility; the results are God's. This verse reminds us that God is faithful to vindicate those who honor Him, often in ways that surprise both us and those around us, turning potential adversaries into witnesses of His power and goodness. It challenges us to consider where we might be compromising and how we can, with God's help, stand more firmly.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Daniel propose a "ten-day" trial, and what was its significance?
Answer: Daniel proposed a "ten-day" trial as a practical, measurable, and diplomatic way to demonstrate that his chosen diet of vegetables and water would not negatively impact his and his friends' health, and indeed, would prove superior to the king's rich food. The significance of this specific duration lies in its sufficiency to show a noticeable physical change, while also being short enough to mitigate the steward Melzar's fears of immediate repercussions from the king (Daniel 1:10). It was a test designed to provide empirical evidence, allowing God to publicly vindicate Daniel's faith and obedience, as seen in the remarkable outcome described in Daniel 1:15. This trial period served as a concrete demonstration of God's favor and the benefits of living according to His principles, transforming a potential conflict into an undeniable display of divine power and wisdom.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 1:14, though set in the Old Testament, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate obedience and vindication found in Jesus Christ. Daniel's resolve not to defile himself, even at great personal risk, mirrors Christ's perfect and unwavering obedience to the Father's will, even unto death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). Just as Daniel submitted to a period of testing to prove his faithfulness and the efficacy of his chosen path, so too did Jesus undergo profound trials and temptations, most notably His forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), where He resisted every allure to compromise His divine mission. The steward's consent to Daniel's trial, an act of divine favor enabling a demonstration of God's power, can be seen as a dim reflection of the Father's ultimate consent and affirmation of Christ's perfect life and redemptive work. This culminated in His resurrection and exaltation, proving His righteousness and securing salvation. Through Christ, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives of faithful obedience, trusting that God will honor their commitment, not based on their own strength, but on the perfect obedience of the Lamb of God, who has already passed the ultimate test on our behalf, securing for us true spiritual nourishment and an eternal inheritance (Hebrews 5:9).