Daniel 1:8-16
American Standard Version
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s dainties, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths that are of your own age? so would ye endanger my head with the king. 11 Then said Daniel to [a]the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us [b]pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king’s dainties; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he hearkened unto them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15 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. 16 So [c]the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.
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- Daniel 1:11 Hebrew Hammelzar.
- Daniel 1:12 Or, herbs
- Daniel 1:16 Hebrew Hammelzar.
Daniel 1:8-16
Lexham English Bible
Daniel’s Resolve
8 Now Daniel resolved[a] that he would not defile himself with the fine food of the king, and with the wine that he drank,[b] and so he requested from the commander of the court officials permission so that he would not defile himself. 9 And God[c] gave Daniel favor and compassion before[d] the commander of the court officials, 10 and the commander of the court officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord, the king, who has determined your food and your drink, for why should[e] he see your face having a worse appearance than the young men who are your age?[f] Then you will endanger my head with the king.” 11 Then[g] Daniel asked the guard[h] whom the commander of the court officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us some of the vegetables,[i] and let us eat and let us drink water. 13 Then[j] let our appearances and the appearance of the young men who are eating the fine food of the king be compared before you,[k] and then deal with your servants according to what you see.”[l] 14 So he agreed to this proposal with them, and he tested them for ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their appearances appeared better and they were healthier of body than all the young men who were eating the fine food of the king. 16 So[m] the guard continued to withhold[n] their fine food and the wine of their drink, and he gave them[o] vegetables.
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- Daniel 1:8 Literally “Daniel placed upon his heart”
- Daniel 1:8 Literally “the wine of his drink”
- Daniel 1:9 Hebrew “the God”
- Daniel 1:9 Literally “to the face of”
- Daniel 1:10 Literally “to what would”
- Daniel 1:10 Literally “like your age”; “your” is plural
- Daniel 1:11 Hebrew “And”
- Daniel 1:11 Or “overseer”
- Daniel 1:12 Literally “from the vegetables”
- Daniel 1:13 Hebrew “And”
- Daniel 1:13 Literally “in your presence”
- Daniel 1:13 Literally “and according to/that you see”
- Daniel 1:16 Literally “And it happened”
- Daniel 1:16 Literally “he was … withdrawing”
- Daniel 1:16 Hebrew “to them”
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