Daniel 1:8-16

Bible Text

[8] But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's dainties, 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 made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs. [10] The prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse looking than the youths who are of your own age? so would you endanger my head with the king. [11] Then said Daniel to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: [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.

Babylon, in the land of Shinar (southern Mesopotamia, often called Chaldea), was the imperial center to which Judah’s exiles, including Daniel, were taken from Jerusalem. In this foreign court setting, Daniel’s refusal of the royal food expressed covenant faithfulness amid Babylonian pressure to assimilate.

Places in this passage

Daniel 1:8-16 mentions Babylon, Chaldea, Jerusalem and Shinar.

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