Daniel 1

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 1 of 12

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

2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah, into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God, which he bore into the land of Shinar to the house of his god. And he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

3 And the king spoke to Ashpenaz, the chief of his eunuchs that he should bring some of the sons of Israel, and of the royal seed, and of the nobles,

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Chapter Summary

Jehoiakim's captivity. Ashpenaz takes Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

Key Hebrew Words

גָּאַל defile oneself H1351 · TWOT 301
נָסָה test, prove H5254 · TWOT 1373
חׇכְמָה wisdom H2451 · TWOT 647a
זֵרְעֹן vegetables, pulse H2235 · TWOT 582d
חֲלוֹם dream H2472 · TWOT 663a
חֶסֶד kindness, favor H2617 · TWOT 698a

People & Context

Daniel (Belteshazzar)

Judean captive who resolves not to defile himself with the king's food; given understanding in visions and dreams.

Ashpenaz

Chief of the eunuchs who brings the young men to the palace and renames Daniel and his three companions.

Nebuchadnezzar

King of Babylon who besieges Jerusalem, takes captives, and examines the youths at the end of their training.

Hananiah (Shadrach)

One of the four Judean youths who, with Daniel, refuses the royal food and gains wisdom from God.

Mishael (Meshach)

Judean youth among Daniel's companions who shares the diet of vegetables and stands before the king.

Azariah (Abed-nego)

Judean youth renamed by the chief of eunuchs; one of the four found best in wisdom before Nebuchadnezzar.

Timeline

Siege of Jerusalem and Exile

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, besieged Jerusalem and took captives of the royal seed, including Daniel, to be taught the writing and language of the Chaldeans.

Daniel 1:1-6
The Dietary Test

Daniel and his companions resolved not to defile themselves with the king's food and wine, asking for a ten-day test of eating only vegetables and drinking water. After ten days, their appearance was better and fatter in flesh than all the boys who ate the royal food.

Daniel 1:8-15
Elevation of the Youths

God gave the youths exceptional knowledge and skill, and the king found them ten hands better than all the magicians and conjurers in his entire kingdom.

Daniel 1:17-20

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