Daniel Chapter 10 · Verse 3

Authorized King James Version

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I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Original Language Analysis

לֶ֣חֶם bread H3899
לֶ֣חֶם bread
Strong's: H3899
Word #: 1 of 18
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
חֲמֻד֞וֹת H2530
חֲמֻד֞וֹת
Strong's: H2530
Word #: 2 of 18
to delight in
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 3 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָכַ֗לְתִּי I ate H398
אָכַ֗לְתִּי I ate
Strong's: H398
Word #: 4 of 18
to eat (literally or figuratively)
וּבָשָׂ֥ר flesh H1320
וּבָשָׂ֥ר flesh
Strong's: H1320
Word #: 5 of 18
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
וָיַ֛יִן nor wine H3196
וָיַ֛יִן nor wine
Strong's: H3196
Word #: 6 of 18
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 7 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בָ֥א neither came H935
בָ֥א neither came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 8 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 9 of 18
near, with or among; often in general, to
פִּ֖י in my mouth H6310
פִּ֖י in my mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 10 of 18
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
סָ֑כְתִּי myself at all H5480
סָ֑כְתִּי myself at all
Strong's: H5480
Word #: 11 of 18
properly, to smear over (with oil), i.e., anoint
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 12 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
סָ֑כְתִּי myself at all H5480
סָ֑כְתִּי myself at all
Strong's: H5480
Word #: 13 of 18
properly, to smear over (with oil), i.e., anoint
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 14 of 18
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מְלֹ֕את were fulfilled H4390
מְלֹ֕את were fulfilled
Strong's: H4390
Word #: 15 of 18
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת till three H7969
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת till three
Strong's: H7969
Word #: 16 of 18
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
שָׁבֻעִ֖ים weeks H7620
שָׁבֻעִ֖ים weeks
Strong's: H7620
Word #: 17 of 18
literally, sevened, i.e., a week (specifically, of years)
יָמִֽים׃ whole H3117
יָמִֽים׃ whole
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 18 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

Analysis & Commentary

Daniel describes his fast: "I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled." This wasn't total fasting (no food) but partial fasting—abstaining from enjoyable foods and normal comforts. "Pleasant bread" refers to delicacies; avoiding "flesh" and "wine" eliminated protein-rich and celebratory foods; not anointing himself forsook basic cosmetic care (normal in ancient Near East). This voluntary self-denial demonstrated serious spiritual purpose.

The specificity teaches that fasting varies in intensity and form. Daniel didn't cease eating entirely (which would be unsustainable for three weeks) but eliminated pleasures, maintaining only basic sustenance. This practical approach models sustainable spiritual discipline—not extreme asceticism that destroys health, but purposeful self-denial that focuses attention on spiritual matters. Fasting from legitimate pleasures (not sins) creates space for enhanced prayer and spiritual sensitivity.

Biblically, fasting accompanies serious prayer, repentance, or seeking divine guidance. Jesus fasted forty days before ministry (Matthew 4:2), early church fasted when commissioning missionaries (Acts 13:2-3), and Paul fasted during crises (2 Corinthians 11:27). Yet Jesus warned against ostentatious fasting seeking human praise (Matthew 6:16-18). Daniel's private fast, combined with effectual prayer, demonstrates proper balance—genuine spiritual discipline without religious showmanship.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern mourning practices included fasting, wearing sackcloth, avoiding bathing/anointing, and sitting in ashes. Daniel's modified fast maintained basic health while expressing grief and spiritual intensity. His abstinence during Passover season was particularly significant—foregoing celebratory feast foods to mourn Jerusalem's situation. This self-denial demonstrated priority—spiritual concerns outweighed physical pleasures. His example influenced later Jewish fasting practices and continues guiding Christian spiritual disciplines today.

Questions for Reflection