Daniel 1:12

Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

Prove {H5254} thy servants {H5650}, I beseech thee, ten {H6235} days {H3117}; and let them give {H5414} us pulse {H2235} to eat {H398}, and water {H4325} to drink {H8354}.

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

“Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink.

Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

Commentary

Daniel 1:12 records Daniel's humble yet firm proposition to Melzar, the chief eunuch, regarding the diet of himself and his three companions while in Babylonian captivity. This verse highlights their determination to adhere to their spiritual convictions, even in a foreign land.

Context

After Jerusalem fell to Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered that select young men, including Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, be brought to his court for three years of training. Part of this training involved them eating from the king's own rich food and wine (Daniel 1:5). However, Daniel had "purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself" with these royal provisions, likely due to dietary laws from the Mosaic covenant or the food being offered to idols, making it ritually unclean. Melzar, fearing the king's wrath if the young men appeared less healthy than their peers, was hesitant. Daniel's request in verse 12 is his strategic and faithful solution to this dilemma.

Key Themes

  • Faithfulness and Conviction: Daniel's request is a testament to his unwavering commitment to God's commands and his spiritual integrity. He prioritizes obedience to God over worldly comforts or potential political advancement.
  • Trust in Divine Provision: By asking for a simple diet of "pulse" and "water," Daniel demonstrates profound trust that God would sustain them and prove their adherence to His ways to be beneficial, even physically.
  • Wisdom and Diplomacy: Instead of outright defiance, Daniel approaches Melzar with a respectful, testable proposition. This shows Daniel's wisdom in navigating a difficult situation, offering a solution that minimizes risk for the steward while upholding his principles.
  • The Test of Obedience: The "ten days" serve as a trial period, a challenge to see if their faith-based dietary choice would yield positive results, demonstrating God's blessing on their obedience.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV term "pulse" (Hebrew: zērōʿîm) refers to a simple, plant-based diet, such as seeds, grains, vegetables, or legumes. This contrasts sharply with the rich, potentially non-kosher, and idol-sacrificed food from the king's table. The inclusion of "water to drink" further emphasizes their desire for a pure and unadulterated diet, avoiding the king's wine. This choice underscores their commitment to a distinct lifestyle in accordance with their faith.

Practical Application

Daniel 1:12 offers timeless lessons for believers navigating a world often at odds with biblical principles:

  • Integrity in All Circumstances: We are called to stand firm in our convictions, even when it is difficult or goes against the prevailing culture.
  • Trusting God with the Consequences: Like Daniel, we can trust that when we obey God, He will honor our faithfulness and provide for us, often in unexpected ways.
  • Seeking Wise Solutions: Daniel's diplomatic approach teaches us to seek wise and respectful ways to uphold our principles without being needlessly confrontational. The positive outcome of this test is detailed in Daniel 1:15-17, where their faithfulness was rewarded with better health, wisdom, and divine favor.

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Cross-References

  • Romans 14:2 (4 votes)

    For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

  • Daniel 1:16 (4 votes)

    Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

  • Genesis 1:29 (4 votes)

    ¶ And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

  • Genesis 1:30 (4 votes)

    And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for meat: and it was so.

  • Deuteronomy 8:3 (3 votes)

    And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.