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.
Original Language Analysis
וּמִקְצָת֙
And at the end
H7117
וּמִקְצָת֙
And at the end
Strong's:
H7117
Word #:
1 of 15
a termination (literally or figuratively); also (by implication) a portion; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
יָמִ֣ים
days
H3117
יָמִ֣ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 15
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
עֲשָׂרָ֔ה
of ten
H6235
עֲשָׂרָ֔ה
of ten
Strong's:
H6235
Word #:
3 of 15
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
נִרְאָ֤ה
appeared
H7200
נִרְאָ֤ה
appeared
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
מַרְאֵיהֶם֙
their countenances
H4758
מַרְאֵיהֶם֙
their countenances
Strong's:
H4758
Word #:
5 of 15
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
ט֔וֹב
fairer
H2896
ט֔וֹב
fairer
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
6 of 15
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
בָּשָׂ֑ר
in flesh
H1320
בָּשָׂ֑ר
in flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
8 of 15
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיְלָדִ֔ים
than all the children
H3206
הַיְלָדִ֔ים
than all the children
Strong's:
H3206
Word #:
11 of 15
something born, i.e., a lad or offspring
Cross References
Exodus 23:25And 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.Psalms 37:16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.Proverbs 10:22The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
Historical Context
The superior health despite simple diet defied expectations in a culture valuing rich foods. This miracle was subtle—not supernatural signs but natural process producing unexpected results. God blessed their faithfulness within the created order He designed. The comparison would have been obvious to all observers, creating testimony to Yahweh's blessing on covenant faithfulness. Their success couldn't be attributed to human wisdom but divine providence.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's blessing of obedience with observable superiority encourage us that His ways truly are best?
- What does this teach us about God sometimes choosing to vindicate faith through natural means that clearly exceed expectations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The results vindicate faith: '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.' God honored obedience with observable superiority—not merely equality but superior health. This demonstrates a consistent biblical principle: God's ways, though they may seem restrictive, produce better outcomes than worldly alternatives. The comparison 'than all' emphasizes complete vindication; no Babylonian-diet youth matched the Hebrew-diet group.