Daniel 1:12-17

Bible Text

[12] Prove your servants, I beg you, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. [13] Then let our faces be looked on before you, and the face of the youths who eat of the king's dainties; and as you see, deal with your servants. [14] So he listened to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. [15] At the end of ten days their faces appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths who ate of the king's dainties. [16] So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse. [17] Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Babylon, in the land of Shinar (southern Mesopotamia, modern Iraq), was the imperial center where Judean exiles were trained for royal service. Jerusalem, the covenant city of Judah, was the place from which Daniel and his companions had been taken; their faithfulness in Babylon displays God’s sustaining rule in exile.

Places in this passage

Daniel 1:12-17 mentions Babylon, Chaldea, Jerusalem and Shinar.

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