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Daniel, 1

1. In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched on Jerusalem and besieged it.

1. In the third year of the reign of Jehoi'akim king of Judah, Nebuchadnez'zar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

2. The Lord let Jehoiakim king of Judah fall into his power, as well as some of the vessels belonging to the Temple of God. These he took away to Shinar, putting the vessels into the treasury of his own gods.

2. And the Lord gave Jehoi'akim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.

3. From the Israelites, the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring a certain number of boys of royal or noble descent;

3. Then the king commanded Ash'penaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility,

4. they had to be without any physical defect, of good appearance, versed in every branch of wisdom, well-informed, discerning, suitable for service at the royal court. Ashpenaz was to teach them to speak and write the language of the Chaldaeans.

4. youths without blemish, handsome and skilful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to serve in the king's palace, and to teach them the letters and language of the Chalde'ans.

5. The king assigned them a daily allowance of food and wine from the royal table. They were to receive an education lasting for three years, after which they would enter the royal service.

5. The king assigned them a daily portion of the rich food which the king ate, and of the wine which he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king.

6. Among them were the Judaeans Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

6. Among these were Daniel, Hanani'ah, Mish'a-el, and Azari'ah of the tribe of Judah.

7. The chief eunuch gave them other names, calling Daniel Belteshazzar, Hananiah Shadrach, Mishael Meshach, and Azariah Abed-Nego.

7. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshaz'zar, Hanani'ah he called Shadrach, Mish'a-el he called Meshach, and Azari'ah he called Abed'nego.

8. Daniel, who was determined not to incur pollution by food and wine from the royal table, begged the chief eunuch to spare him this defilement.

8. But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's rich food, or with the wine which he drank; therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.

9. God allowed Daniel to receive faithful love and sympathy from the chief eunuch.

9. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs;

10. But the eunuch warned Daniel, 'I am afraid of my lord the king: he has assigned you food and drink, and if he sees you looking thinner in the face than the other boys of your age, my head will be in danger with the king because of you.'

10. and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear lest my lord the king, who appointed your food and your drink, should see that you were in poorer condition than the youths who are of your own age. So you would endanger my head with the king."

11. To the guard assigned to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah by the chief eunuch, Daniel then said,

11. Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hanani'ah, Mish'a-el, and Azari'ah;

12. 'Please allow your servants a ten days' trial, during which we are given only vegetables to eat and water to drink.

12. "Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.

13. You can then compare our looks with those of the boys who eat the king's food; go by what you see, and treat your servants accordingly.'

13. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's rich food be observed by you, and according to what you see deal with your servants."

14. The man agreed to do what they asked and put them on ten days' trial.

14. So he hearkened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days.

15. When the ten days were over, they looked better and fatter than any of the boys who had eaten their allowance from the royal table;

15. At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's rich food.

16. so the guard withdrew their allowance of food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

16. So the steward took away their rich food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

17. To these four boys God gave knowledge and skill in every aspect of literature and learning; Daniel also had the gift of interpreting every kind of vision and dream.

17. As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all letters and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

18. When the time stipulated by the king for the boys to be presented to him came round, the chief eunuch presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.

18. At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnez'zar.

19. The king conversed with them, and among all the boys found none to equal Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. So they became members of the king's court,

19. And the king spoke with them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hanani'ah, Mish'a-el, and Azari'ah; therefore they stood before the king.

20. and on whatever point of wisdom or understanding he might question them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and soothsayers in his entire kingdom. Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

20. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.

21.

21. And Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.



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Footnotes:

1:1-2 - The captivity of Judah begins with the defeat of Jerusalem, and King Nebuchadnezzar takes some of the finest young Israelites to serve in his court. This event marks the beginning of a period of purification and renewal for God's people, who are still under foreign rule (see also Jeremiah 25:11 and 2 Chronicles 36:6).

1:3-7 - Daniel and his friends are chosen for the king's service and receive special food from the royal table. This passage highlights Babylon's attempt to assimilate the Jews, but also Daniel's courage and determination to maintain his identity as a servant of God (see also 1 Peter 1:14-16 and 1 John 2:15-17).

1:8-16 - Daniel resolves not to defile himself with the king's food and drink, requesting a diet of vegetables and water. This act of faithfulness to God reflects the principle of separation and consecration of believers, even in hostile environments. Daniel's obedience demonstrates trust in God's provision (see also Romans 12:2 and 1 Corinthians 10:31).

1:17-20 - God blesses Daniel and his friends with wisdom and discernment, surpassing the other young men. Daniel's faithfulness bears spiritual fruit, demonstrating how obedience to God can lead to greater blessings and wisdom (see also James 1:5 and Proverbs 2:6).

01:21 - Daniel remains in the king's service until the first year of King Cyrus, demonstrating the continuity of God's sovereignty, which preserves His people until the time of deliverance arrives. Daniel's story is proof that God is sovereign over the nations and their rulers (see also Isaiah 45:1-4 and Daniel 2:21).

Verses related to Daniel, 1:

Daniel chapter 1 narrates the exile of young Jews in Babylon. How do Daniel and his friends maintain their faith in a foreign land? The text reports their determination not to contaminate themselves, their superior wisdom and the divine favor they receive. This foundational chapter establishes themes of faithfulness, integrity, and God's sovereignty even in exile. The narrative demonstrates how to remain faithful amidst cultural challenges. Consider with us five Bible passages that illuminate the enduring principles presented in this inspiring chapter.

1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to men. And God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when they are tempted, he himself will provide a way out for them, so that they can endure it." - This verse reflects the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends in keeping their kosher diet, showing how God provides strength to resist temptation.

Romans 12:2: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you are able to experience and prove the good, pleasant and perfect will of God." - It is related to Daniel's decision not to contaminate himself with the king's food, demonstrating a renewal of the mind and not conforming to the standards of the world.

James 1:12: "Happy is the man who perseveres under trial, because after passing, he will receive the crown of life, which God promised to those who love him." - This verse echoes the perseverance of Daniel and his friends during their time of testing, and the blessings they received for their faithfulness.

1 Peter 2:11-12: "Beloved, I insist that, as strangers and pilgrims in the world, you abstain from the carnal desires that war against the soul. Live among the pagans in an exemplary way so that, even if they accuse you of doing evil, they observe the good works you do and glorify God on the day of his intervention." - It reflects the situation of Daniel and his friends as exiles in Babylon, maintaining their integrity in a foreign culture.

Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; acknowledge the Lord in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight." - This proverb illustrates Daniel's trust in God by proposing the ten-day test, demonstrating faith rather than relying on his own wisdom.

FAQ:

What happened to Daniel and his friends when they were taken to Babylon?

Daniel and his friends were chosen to serve the king of Babylon, but they refused to eat the king's food for reasons of purity, opting instead for a vegetarian diet. (Daniel 1:3-16)

Why did Daniel refuse to eat the king's food?

Daniel refused to eat the king's food to keep himself pure according to Jewish law, avoiding unclean foods or foods offered to idols. (Daniel 1:8)

How did God reward Daniel and his friends for their faithfulness?

God gave Daniel and his friends wisdom and knowledge, making them wiser than all the other young men in Babylon. (Daniel 1:17-20)

Who was the leader who asked that Daniel and his friends be fed a different diet?

The chief eunuch, who feared for the health of Daniel and his friends, agreed to allow a vegetarian diet after seeing that they were in better health than the others. (Daniel 1:10-14)

What happened to Daniel after he was taken into the service of King Nebuchadnezzar?

Daniel was promoted to the service of King Nebuchadnezzar and distinguished himself among the wise men of Babylon because of the wisdom God gave him. (Daniel 1:19-21)


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