Daniel Chapter 1 · Verse 7
Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֨שֶׂם
for he gave
H7760
וַיָּ֨שֶׂם
for he gave
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 15
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
הַסָּרִיסִ֖ים
of the eunuchs
H5631
הַסָּרִיסִ֖ים
of the eunuchs
Strong's:
H5631
Word #:
4 of 15
a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state
שֵׁמ֑וֹת
names
H8034
שֵׁמ֑וֹת
names
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
5 of 15
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וַיָּ֨שֶׂם
for he gave
H7760
וַיָּ֨שֶׂם
for he gave
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
6 of 15
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לְדָֽנִיֵּ֜אל
unto Daniel
H1840
לְדָֽנִיֵּ֜אל
unto Daniel
Strong's:
H1840
Word #:
7 of 15
daniel or danijel, the name of two israelites
בֵּ֣לְטְשַׁאצַּ֗ר
the name of Belteshazzar
H1095
בֵּ֣לְטְשַׁאצַּ֗ר
the name of Belteshazzar
Strong's:
H1095
Word #:
8 of 15
belteshatstsar, the babylonian name of daniel
וְלַֽחֲנַנְיָה֙
and to Hananiah
H2608
וְלַֽחֲנַנְיָה֙
and to Hananiah
Strong's:
H2608
Word #:
9 of 15
chananjah, the name of thirteen israelites
שַׁדְרַ֔ךְ
of Shadrach
H7714
שַׁדְרַ֔ךְ
of Shadrach
Strong's:
H7714
Word #:
10 of 15
shadrak, the babylonian name of one of daniel's companions
וּלְמִֽישָׁאֵ֣ל
and to Mishael
H4332
וּלְמִֽישָׁאֵ֣ל
and to Mishael
Strong's:
H4332
Word #:
11 of 15
mishael, the name of three israelites
Cross References
Daniel 5:12Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.Daniel 4:8But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,Daniel 2:49Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.2 Kings 24:17And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.2 Kings 23:34And Pharaoh-nechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.Daniel 1:3And 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;
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern conquerors regularly renamed subject peoples to assert dominance and assimilation. Name changes signified ownership and new allegiance (cf. Joseph to Zaphnath-paaneah, Gen. 41:45). The Babylonian names invoke Bel (Marduk), Aku (moon god), and possibly Nebo—major Babylonian deities. This renaming was strategic: replace Yahweh-worship with Babylonian religious identity. Yet the youths' faithfulness shows that imposed names don't change true allegiance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Babylon's renaming strategy parallel modern attempts to redefine identity contrary to God's design?
- What does the preservation of Hebrew names in Scripture teach us about God's determination to remember our true identity?
Analysis & Commentary
The prince of eunuchs changing their names represents Babylon's attempt to reshape identity. Daniel becomes Belteshazzar (Bel protect his life—invoking Babylon's god). Hananiah becomes Shadrach, Mishael becomes Meshach, Azariah becomes Abednego—all incorporating Babylonian deity names. This assault on identity through renaming attempts to erase covenant faith and replace it with pagan religion. Yet God's preservation of their original names in Scripture shows that human attempts to redefine God-given identity ultimately fail.