Daniel 1:15

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.

And at the end {H7117} of ten {H6235} days {H3117} their countenances {H4758} appeared {H7200} fairer {H2896} and fatter {H1277} in flesh {H1320} than all the children {H3206} which did eat {H398} the portion {H6598} of the king's {H4428} meat {H6598}.

At the end of ten days they looked better and more robust than all the boys who were eating the king's food.

And at the end of ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than all the young men who were eating the king’s food.

And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths that did eat of the king’s dainties.

Commentary

Daniel 1:15 describes the remarkable outcome of a ten-day dietary test for Daniel and his three friends—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—who were among the young Jewish captives brought to Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar.

Context

After being selected for special training in the Babylonian court, Daniel and his companions faced a dilemma: they were expected to eat the king's rich food and drink his wine. However, out of devotion to God and to avoid defilement from pagan customs and unclean foods, Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the king's meat or wine. He proposed a ten-day trial to the chief eunuch, Melzar, suggesting they be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink (Daniel 1:12). Verse 15 reveals the astonishing results of this experiment, confirming God's favor upon their obedience.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Blessing and Providence: This verse powerfully illustrates God's active involvement in the lives of those who honor Him. Despite being in a foreign land and under immense pressure, Daniel and his friends experienced a supernatural blessing. Their physical well-being surpassed that of those who followed the king's prescribed diet, demonstrating God's ability to sustain and prosper His faithful servants.
  • Faithfulness and Obedience: The outcome highlights the importance of unwavering commitment to God's principles, even when it means going against the prevailing culture or personal comfort. Their decision to prioritize spiritual purity over worldly indulgence led directly to God's demonstrable favor.
  • Wisdom and Discernment: Daniel's proposal of a test, rather than outright defiance, shows remarkable wisdom and discernment. He sought a way to honor God while also respecting authority, trusting God to vindicate their choice. This echoes the wisdom found in trusting in the Lord with all your heart.
  • God's Superiority: The physical evidence in this verse serves as a powerful testament to the superiority of God's ways over worldly wisdom or provisions. It sets a precedent for the miraculous interventions that would follow in Daniel's life.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "fairer and fatter in flesh" indicates a healthier, more robust, and well-nourished appearance. "Fairer" suggests a better complexion or more pleasing look, while "fatter in flesh" implies a healthy weight and vitality, contrasting with any potential paleness or weakness the eunuch might have feared. It signifies a clear, observable improvement in their physical condition.

Practical Application

Daniel 1:15 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It encourages us to:

  • Prioritize God's Will: Even in environments that challenge our faith, we are called to stand firm in our convictions. Like Daniel, we should seek to not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds.
  • Trust in God's Provision: When we obey God, we can trust that He will provide for our needs, often in unexpected and supernatural ways. This verse reminds us that God is fully capable of sustaining us when we commit our way to Him.
  • Seek Wisdom for Action: Rather than merely resisting, Daniel's approach of proposing a test demonstrates the value of seeking God's wisdom to navigate difficult situations effectively and respectfully.
  • Expect God's Blessing: Faithfulness often leads to visible blessings. This account inspires us to live obediently, knowing that God delights in honoring those who honor Him, as seen in 1 Samuel 2:30.
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Cross-References

  • Exodus 23:25 (6 votes)

    And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.

  • Matthew 4:4 (3 votes)

    But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

  • Deuteronomy 28:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe [and] to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

  • Deuteronomy 28:14 (3 votes)

    And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, [to] the right hand, or [to] the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

  • Proverbs 10:22 (3 votes)

    ¶ The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

  • Haggai 1:9 (2 votes)

    Ye looked for much, and, lo, [it came] to little; and when ye brought [it] home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that [is] waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.

  • Mark 6:41 (2 votes)

    And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave [them] to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.