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.

DANIEL 1:10KJV
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Daniel 1:10 (KJV)

What does Daniel 1:10 mean?

Daniel 1:10 shows the official in charge of Daniel expressing fear to Daniel about disobeying the king’s orders regarding food and drink, worrying that if Daniel and his friends look less healthy than the others, the king might punish him severely. The official is concerned for his own safety because the king has specifically assigned what Daniel and his friends are to eat and drink.

The speaker is the "prince of the eunuchs," the chief official overseeing Daniel and the other young men taken to Babylon. He is talking directly to Daniel, explaining that he is afraid ("I fear my lord the king") because the king (Nebuchadnezzar) has decided what they should eat and drink. The official’s main worry is that if Daniel and his friends appear less healthy ("worse liking") than the other young men, the king might blame him and even have him killed ("endanger my head to the king").

The Hebrew behind Daniel 1:10

  • שַׂר (sar, H8269): Translated "prince," this word refers to a high-ranking official or leader. Here, it highlights the authority and responsibility of the official over Daniel and the other captives.
  • סָרִיס (saris, H5631): Translated "eunuchs," this term often meant court officials, not always literally eunuchs. It shows that Daniel and his friends were under the care of a trusted royal servant.
  • יָרֵא (yare’, H3373): Translated "fear," this word means a deep fear or reverence, often for someone in power. The official’s fear is not just worry, but real concern for his life before the king.
  • רָאָה (ra’ah, H7200): Translated "see," this verb means to look at or observe. The official is worried about what the king will notice about Daniel’s appearance.
  • זֹעֲפִים (zo‘afim, H2196): Translated "worse liking," this word means looking troubled, sad, or less healthy. The official fears Daniel and his friends might appear less well than the others, putting him at risk.

Why Daniel 1:10 matters

  • Daniel 1:10 clarifies that the official’s refusal is not out of hostility, but out of genuine fear for his own life, making his position understandable and human.
  • The verse helps explain the tension Daniel and his friends face: their desire to stay faithful to their beliefs puts others at risk, not just themselves.
  • This moment sets up the test that follows, highlighting both Daniel’s faith and the official’s difficult position, which adds depth to the story’s unfolding events.

Where else these words appear

“liking” Hebrew H2196 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 40:6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.
  • 2 Chronicles 26:19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.
  • Proverbs 19:3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

“sort” Hebrew H1524 · used in 10 verses

  • Job 3:22 Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?
  • Psalms 65:12 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.
  • Jeremiah 48:33 And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.

“appointed” Hebrew H4487 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
  • Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

“Daniel” Hebrew H1840 · used in 28 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 3:1 Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess:
  • Daniel 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
  • Daniel 9:22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.