Daniel 1:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days.

NIV: So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

NASB: So he listened to them in this matter, and put them to the test for ten days.

CSB: He agreed with them about this and tested them for ten days.

NLT: The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days.

KJV: So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

NKJV: So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.

The steward (Daniel 1:11) working under the chief eunuch (Daniel 1:3) almost certainly needed his superior's permission to comply with Daniel's test (Daniel 1:9–12). Daniel asked for a ten-day trial where he and his friends would abstain from the morally dubious food prepared for King Nebuchadnezzar. After this, the steward could do what he thought was necessary (Daniel 1:13). Even so, this points to God's sovereign work in placing Daniel and his three friends in the king's court.

Daniel may have received a direct message from God to make his bold request. Other passages in this book show him in a close relationship with God including many special revelations (Daniel 7:1; 8:1; 9:1–2; 10:1). However, this is not God's typical way of communicating with His people. Christians should not expect direct revelation from God, particularly in the modern era when we have access to the Bible. All that Christians need to know for correct believing and doing is given in God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16–17), and we should be careful not to go outside its teachings (1 Corinthians 4:6).

Daniel 1:8–16 explains one of the ways Daniel and three other captured Hebrew boys (Daniel 1:1–7) resisted being corrupted by the pagan culture of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar assigned the Hebrew youths the same kind of food and wine that he ate and drank. These would have been unclean, for various reasons, under the Law of Moses. Daniel received permission from his supervising steward to eat only vegetables and water for a ten-day test. When the Hebrew youths were healthier than those who ate the king's food, they were allowed to continue their special diet.

When Daniel was young, Babylon conquered Jerusalem and took many of its treasures and people back to their land. Daniel was chosen to become an advisor due to his good looks and bright mind. Along with other boys, he was educated and given a Babylonian name. Daniel and several friends demonstrate faithfulness to God by avoiding foods that might be unclean. They also excel in their roles. This leads Daniel to become an important advisor regarding dreams and visions, as described starting in chapter 2.

Daniel was taken captive when Babylon conquered the nation of Israel. The first chapter of the book establishes his history, his level of natural talent, and the depth of his faith. This is followed by a series of prophetic interpretations tied to Gentile nations in chapters 2—7. Chapters 8—12 focus on prophecies more closely related to the nation of Israel. Many of these details are restated or expanded in the book of Revelation.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.

Accessed 5/18/2024 11:24:55 PM