Daniel 1:3

Authorized King James Version

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;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
spake
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ
And the king
a king
#3
לְאַשְׁפְּנַ֖ז
unto Ashpenaz
ashpenaz, a babylonian eunuch
#4
רַ֣ב
the master
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#5
סָרִיסָ֑יו
of his eunuchs
a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state
#6
לְהָבִ֞יא
that he should bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#7
מִבְּנֵ֧י
certain of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#8
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#9
וּמִזֶּ֥רַע
seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#10
הַמְּלוּכָ֖ה
and of the king's
something ruled, i.e., a realm
#11
וּמִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#12
הַֽפַּרְתְּמִֽים׃
and of the princes
a grandee

Analysis

Within the broader context of Daniel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Daniel's theological argument.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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