Daniel 1:8

¶ 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.

But Daniel {H1840} purposed {H7760} in his heart {H3820} that he would not defile {H1351} himself with the portion {H6598} of the king's {H4428} meat {H6598}, nor with the wine {H3196} which he drank {H4960}: therefore he requested {H1245} of the prince {H8269} of the eunuchs {H5631} that he might not defile {H1351} 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.

But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself.

But 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.

Commentary

Daniel 1:8 introduces a pivotal moment in the life of the young prophet Daniel, setting the stage for his remarkable faithfulness and God's subsequent blessings upon him and his companions. This verse highlights Daniel's firm resolve to maintain his spiritual and physical purity in a foreign, idolatrous land.

Context

Following the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, Daniel and other young men of noble Israelite descent were taken captive to Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar commanded that these promising youths be trained for three years in the Chaldean language and literature, and provided with daily provisions from the king's own table, including his meat and wine (Daniel 1:5). This was a deliberate attempt to assimilate them into Babylonian culture and religion. For Daniel, consuming the king's provisions presented several problems:

  • Dietary Laws: The king's meat likely included animals forbidden by the dietary laws given to Israel in the Torah (e.g., pork, unclean fowl).
  • Idolatry: The food and wine would almost certainly have been dedicated or offered to Babylonian idols before being served. Eating such food would be seen as participating in or condoning idolatry.

Daniel's decision was not a matter of personal preference but a deep conviction rooted in his covenant relationship with God.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Conviction: The phrase "purposed in his heart" signifies a deliberate, internal decision made before the external pressure arrived. Daniel had already decided what he would do, demonstrating strong moral character and spiritual resolve.
  • Purity and Holiness: Daniel sought to avoid anything that would ceremonially or spiritually defile him in the eyes of God, reflecting a commitment to holiness even in adverse circumstances.
  • Faithful Obedience: Despite being in a powerful pagan court, Daniel prioritized obedience to God's laws above the king's decree, trusting that God would honor his faithfulness. This foreshadows a later stand where he chose to obey God rather than men.
  • Integrity and Wisdom: Daniel's approach was not rebellious but respectful. He "requested" permission, demonstrating wisdom and discretion in how he upheld his principles.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "purposed in his heart" (yāśīm ʿal-libbō) literally means "he set on his heart" or "he put on his mind." It implies a firm, settled determination and resolve. It wasn't an impulsive decision but a thoughtful commitment. The word "defile" (gāʾal) typically refers to making oneself unclean, often in a ritual or moral sense, making one unfit for sacred purposes or divine presence. For Daniel, eating the forbidden food would have violated his conscience and his covenant with God.

Practical Application

Daniel's example in Daniel 1:8 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Pre-Decide Your Convictions: Like Daniel, we are called to establish our spiritual boundaries and convictions before temptations or pressures arise.
  • Maintain Integrity in a Hostile Culture: Christians often face pressure to conform to societal norms that conflict with biblical principles. Daniel shows it's possible to stand firm without being confrontational or disrespectful.
  • Trust God for the Outcome: Daniel's request was a step of faith, not knowing if it would be granted. His story reminds us that God honors those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30) and can provide for and protect His faithful servants even in challenging situations.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 141:4 (38 votes)

    Incline not my heart to [any] evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

  • Ezekiel 4:13 (24 votes)

    And the LORD said, Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, whither I will drive them.

  • Ezekiel 4:14 (24 votes)

    Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.

  • Leviticus 11:45 (23 votes)

    For I [am] the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I [am] holy.

  • Leviticus 11:47 (23 votes)

    To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:18 (19 votes)

    Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

  • 1 Corinthians 10:21 (19 votes)

    Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.