Daniel 1:5
And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְמַן֩
appointed
H4487
וַיְמַן֩
appointed
Strong's:
H4487
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll
דְּבַר
provision
H1697
דְּבַר
provision
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
4 of 18
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
בְּיוֹמ֗וֹ
them a daily
H3117
בְּיוֹמ֗וֹ
them a daily
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 18
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
בְּיוֹמ֗וֹ
them a daily
H3117
בְּיוֹמ֗וֹ
them a daily
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 18
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
וּמִיֵּ֣ין
and of the wine
H3196
וּמִיֵּ֣ין
and of the wine
Strong's:
H3196
Word #:
10 of 18
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
מִשְׁתָּ֔יו
which he drank
H4960
מִשְׁתָּ֔יו
which he drank
Strong's:
H4960
Word #:
11 of 18
drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast
וּֽלְגַדְּלָ֖ם
so nourishing
H1431
וּֽלְגַדְּלָ֖ם
so nourishing
Strong's:
H1431
Word #:
12 of 18
to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
שָׁל֑וֹשׁ
them three
H7969
שָׁל֑וֹשׁ
them three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
14 of 18
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
וּמִ֨קְצָתָ֔ם
that at the end
H7117
וּמִ֨קְצָתָ֔ם
that at the end
Strong's:
H7117
Word #:
15 of 18
a termination (literally or figuratively); also (by implication) a portion; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
יַֽעַמְד֖וּ
thereof they might stand
H5975
יַֽעַמְד֖וּ
thereof they might stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
16 of 18
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
Cross References
Daniel 1:19And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.1 Kings 10:8Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.Daniel 1:8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern royal courts maintained elaborate cuisines. The king's table represented privilege and obligation—eating the king's food created a bond of loyalty. Daniel 1:8 indicates this food violated Jewish dietary law, either through prohibited items (pork, unclean animals), improper slaughter, or dedication to idols. Accepting it would signal cultural and religious capitulation to Babylonian norms.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the king's provision represent the world's offer of comfort and advancement in exchange for compromise?
- What does Daniel's later refusal (v. 8) teach us about recognizing seemingly generous offers that require violating conscience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The 'daily provision of the king's meat' represents Babylon's generosity and the temptation it creates. Royal food was both honor and snare—honor because it elevated these captives, snare because it compromised dietary law and likely included food offered to idols. The phrase 'nourishing them three years' shows systematic preparation for service. Worldly systems offer provision and advancement, testing whether believers will compromise convictions for comfort and opportunity.