Dan 1:3-7 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Dan 1:3-7: 1:3-7 The Lord fulfilled his threat to make sons of the royal family serve in Babylon (Isa 39:7 ) despite their being heirs to the promises of Davidic kingship. Nebuchadnezzar made a powerful attempt to proselytize them by education, social and religious pressure, and name changes. Instead, their impact upon their pagan surroundings became the outstanding feature of their stay at the king’s palace and court. 1:3 staff: Though often translated “eunuchs” (cp. Isa 39:7 ), in this case the Hebrew term ( saris ) likely means that Ashpenaz and those under his authority were high government officials (see 2 Kgs 8:6 ).

a1:3-7►

bIsa 39:7►

c1:3►

dIsa 39:7►

e2 Kgs 8:6►

f1:4►

gLev 21:16-24►

h22:17-25►

i1:5►

j1:6-7►

‏ Daniel 1:3-7

Summary for Dan 1:3-7: 1:3-7 ^a The Lord fulfilled his threat to make sons of the royal family serve in Babylon (Isa 39:7 ^b) despite their being heirs to the promises of Davidic kingship. Nebuchadnezzar made a powerful attempt to proselytize them by education, social and religious pressure, and name changes. Instead, their impact upon their pagan surroundings became the outstanding feature of their stay at the king’s palace and court. 1:3 ^c staff: Though often translated “eunuchs” (cp. Isa 39:7 ^d), in this case the Hebrew term (saris) likely means that Ashpenaz and those under his authority were high government officials (see 2 Kgs 8:6 ^e).
1:4 ^f strong, healthy: They had no defect or blemish that would disqualify them; the Lord had the same requirements for Israel’s priests (Lev 21:16-24 ^g; 22:17-25 ^h). These youths had the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and character needed to function at the highest levels of government.

• The literature of Babylon was immense and included wisdom and esoteric literature, creation stories, magic incantations, theogonies (origins and genealogies of the gods), legal corpora, ancient histories, letters, dream journals, vision manuals, and mathematical and astrological materials. The education of these young men—all in a foreign language—rivaled that of Moses in Egypt.
1:5 ⁱ The king attempted to create a bond of dependence, gratitude, and loyalty by giving them food and wine from his own kitchens.
Summary for Dan 1:6-7: 1:6-7 ^j Their new Babylonian names were to help enculturate the Hebrews into the pagan Babylonian society. Daniel (“God is my Judge” or “God has judged”) became Belteshazzar (“Bel [a Babylonian god] protects his life”). Hananiah (“the Lord is grace”) became Shadrach (possibly meaning “command of Aku,” another Babylonian god). Mishael (“who is God?”) became Meshach (“who is Aku?”). Azariah (“the Lord helps”) became Abednego (“servant of Nego/Nebo,” another Babylonian god).