Table of Contents
Daniel 1
Daniel 1
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
3 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;
4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
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.
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
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 Abednego.
8 But 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.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
Notes
Cross Reference
Concordance
Commentary
Rashi
Verse 1
<html><b>In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim</b> Now is it possible to say so? Did he [Nebuchadnezzar] not reign in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, as is stated (Jer. 25:1) “in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah that is the first year of Nebuchadnezzar?” So what is the meaning of “In the third year?” In the third year of his rebellion, as is stated (II Kings 24:1): “and Jehoiakim was his vassal for three years; then he turned and rebelled against him”; and in the third year, he overcame him, and that was the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar, for the master said (Seder Olam ch. 24): In his first year he conquered Nineveh, and in his second year he advanced and vanquished Jehoiakim, who served him for three years and rebelled against him for three years. That was the eleventh year of the reign of Jehoiakim: five years before he vanquished him, three years that he served him, and three years that he rebelled against him. And then Jehoiakim died under his hand, and in his stead, Nebuchadnezzar enthroned Jehoiachin, his son.</html>
Verse 2
<html><b>and some of the vessels of the House of God</b> he took, and some of them remained, as is stated (in Jeremiah 27:19): “so has the Lord of Hosts said concerning the pillars, concerning the sea, concerning the bases, and concerning the rest of the vessels, which Nebuchadnezzar did not take into exile (sic).” <b>and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god</b> to praise his idols; he brought the entire captivity there, even the people, and the vessels he brought afterwards to the treasury.</html>
Verse 3
<html><b>the nobles</b> Heb. הַפַּרְתְּמִים, dukes.</html>
Verse 4
<html><b>and who have strength</b> Our Sages explained (Sanh. 93b) that they should restrain themselves from laughing, speaking and sleeping, out of fear of the throne, and resist the urge when they feel the need to relieve themselves. <b>and to teach them the script</b> This refers back to “who have strength.”</html>
Verse 5
<html><b>allotted</b> Heb. וַיְמַן, an expression of preparation. <b>of… food</b> Heb. מִפַּת־בַּג. That is the name of the king’s fare in the language of the Chaldeans. Some interpret פַּת־בַּג, [as] bread, but it does not appear correct, for it is written (below verse 16): “The steward would take away פַּת־בָּגָם… and give them pulse.” Now pulse is not a substitute for bread, but a substitute for cooked food.</html>
Verse 7
<html><b>Belteshazzar</b> He named him after the god of Babylon, which was called Bel, as it is said (4: 5): “whose name is Belteshazzar, like the name of my god.” Teshazzar is the Aramaic expression denoting wisdom.</html>
Verse 8
<html><b>not to be defiled</b> Heb. לֹא יָתְגָּאַל, an expression of sullying.</html>
Verse 9
<html><b>the chief officer</b> who was the chief over the king’s servants.</html>
Verse 10
<html><b>who allotted</b> who prepared and provided. <b>like you</b> כְּגִילְכֶם, of your likeness. It is the language of the Mishnah; one of his likeness. <b>and you will forfeit my head to the king</b> You shall bring about that I will be condemned to be beheaded.</html>
Verse 11
<html><b>the steward</b> Heb. הַמֶּלְצַר, the one who arranges the portions and the plates, called maestre sala, seneschal, steward.</html>
Verse 12
<html><b>test</b> Heb. נַס an expression of (נִסָיוֹן) testing. <b>some pulse</b> a type of beans instead of the food.</html>
Verse 13
<html><b>and as you will see</b> According to what you see, do.</html>
Verse 16
<html><b>carry away their food</b> He would take it for himself.</html>
Verse 18
<html><b>that the king ordered to bring them</b> that they come before him.</html>
Verse 20
<html><b>the necromancers</b> These are the ones who inquire of טִימֵי מֵתִים, the bones of the dead, as you say, “May his bones be crushed,” שְּׁחִיק טַמַיָא. <b>the astrologers</b> These are the ones who “press” the constellation. So it is explained in Tanhuma (Miketz 2, Buber, Miketz 4).</html>
Verse 21
<html><b>And Daniel was there</b> in greatness in Babylon until the first year of King Cyrus. According to the one who says that Hathach (Esther; 4:5, 6, 9, 10) is Daniel; and why was he called Hathach? Because he was cut off (חֲתָכוּהוּ) from his greatness; [according to his explanation] we must say that this is Cyrus I, who preceded Ahasuerus. But according to the one who says that all royal affairs were decided (נֶחְתָּכִים) by his orders, we must say that this Cyrus was Darius II, [who came] after Ahasuerus, and in the days of Darius the Mede, when they cast [Daniel] into the lions’ den, he was not demoted from his greatness, as it is said (6:29): “And this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and during the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” We learn that during the days of Cyrus I he was [still] in his greatness.</html>