Daniel 1:3
And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
Original Language Analysis
רַ֣ב
the master
H7227
רַ֣ב
the master
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
4 of 12
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
סָרִיסָ֑יו
of his eunuchs
H5631
סָרִיסָ֑יו
of his eunuchs
Strong's:
H5631
Word #:
5 of 12
a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state
לְהָבִ֞יא
that he should bring
H935
לְהָבִ֞יא
that he should bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
6 of 12
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מִבְּנֵ֧י
certain of the children
H1121
מִבְּנֵ֧י
certain of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּמִזֶּ֥רַע
seed
H2233
וּמִזֶּ֥רַע
seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
9 of 12
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
Cross References
Isaiah 39:7And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.2 Kings 24:15And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern empires routinely took hostages from conquered territories, educating them in imperial culture to create loyal administrators. This practice combined threat (hostages guarantee good behavior) with opportunity (these youths could rise to high positions). Ashpenaz, master of eunuchs, likely oversaw the court's educational program and possibly made the noble youths eunuchs (cf. Isaiah 39:7).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Babylon's educational strategy parallel modern attempts to indoctrinate believers through secular worldview training?
- What does God's use of pagan educational programs to position Daniel teach us about providence working through adverse circumstances?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Nebuchadnezzar's command to Ashpenaz reveals Babylon's strategy: co-opt enemy elites through education and indoctrination. The selection criteria—'children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes'—targets the nobility who could influence the nation. This represents Satan's perennial tactic: compromise godly leadership through worldly enticement. Yet God sovereignly uses this pagan program to position Daniel for influence in the empire's highest levels.