Daniel Chapter 1
The entire 1st chapter of Daniel with annotated comments and links to detailed analysis.
Annotated Commentary with Links
Why is Daniel Important?
When was the Book of Daniel Written and Why is it Important?
Do the Books of Jeremiah and Daniel Disagree on Dates?
Was Daniel a Eunuch?
Daniel is taken from his home in Jerusalem and taken to Babylon. He is given a new name and trained in the Babylonian education system. However, he decides to not eat a drink the food given to him from the king’s table, but instead decided to keep him self pure.
| 1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem, and besieged it. | According the Edwin Thiele, the third year if Jehoiakim is the year 605 BC. This is the same year Nebuchadnezzar became king of Babylon after defeating the Egyptians at the Battle of Carchemish. |
| 2The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with part of the vessels of the house of God; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god: and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. | Nebuchadnezzar did not depose Jehoiakim, but instead he made him a vassal and extracted tribute. When Nebuchadnezzar returns to Babylon, he brings with him treasure from the Temple in Jerusalem. He also brings back some of the residents of Jerusalem. This is the first of three exiles that will occur between 605 and 587 BC. |
| 3Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in some of the children of Israel, even of the royal offspring and of the nobles; | Among the first exiles were children of the royal and noble families of Jerusalem. They were probably used as hostages to ensure the loyalty of their parents. |
| 4youths in whom was no defect, but well-favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and endowed with knowledge and understanding science, and such as had ability for serving in the king’s palace; and that he should teach them the learning and language of the Chaldeans. | King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the Jewish youth be trained for service in his court. |
| 5The king appointed for them a daily portion of the king’s dainties, and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years; that at its end they should stand before the king. | In the time of Daniel, it was an honor to eat at the king’s table or to eat of the king’s food. |
| 6Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. | The boy’s parents had given them names that glorified God. |
| 7The prince of the eunuchs gave names to them: to Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar; and to Hannah, Shadrach; and to Mishael, Meshach, and to Azariah, Abednego. | The Babylonians changed the boy’s names to ones that honored pagan gods. |
| 8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s dainties, nor with wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. | Daniel was probably worried about obeying the dietary rules set out in Leviticus, known as the laws of kosher. |
| 9Now God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of eunuchs. | |
| 10The prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink. For why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths who are of your own age? So would you endanger my head with the king.” | If the prince of eunuchs feared losing his head, it was definitely a possibility Daniel could lose his head if he offended the Babylonian officials. |
| 11Then Daniel said to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hannah, Mishael, and Azariah: | Daniel proposes and alternative plan. |
| 12“Test your servants, I beg you, ten days; and let them give us vegetables to eat, and water to drink. | Daniel and his three friends would eat only vegetables and drink only water for ten days. |
| 13Then let our faces be looked on before you, and the face of the youths who eat of the king’s dainties; and as you see, deal with your servants. | At the end of ten days, the prince of the eunuchs would decide who looked healthier, Daniel and his friends or the students who ate the King’s food. |
| 14So he listened to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. | |
| 15At the end of ten days their faces appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths who ate of the king’s dainties. | |
| 16So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse. | |
| 17No as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. | God gives Daniel the ability to understand dreams. This is similar to the gift Joseph had in Genesis. |
| 18At the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. | |
| 19The king talked with them; and among them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. | |
| 20In 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 who were in all his realm. | Daniel and his three friends graduated at the top of the class! |
| 21Daniel continued even to the first year of king Cyrus. | Daniel served throughout the entire Babylonian empire and even served the Persians, who displaced the Babylonians as the dominant power. |
