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.

DANIEL 1:13KJV
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Daniel 1:13 (KJV)

What does Daniel 1:13 mean?

Daniel 1:13 shows Daniel asking the official to compare the appearance of him and his friends, who eat only vegetables and water, with the other young men who eat the king’s food, and then decide how to treat them based on what he observes. Daniel is suggesting a fair test to see if their chosen diet leaves them as healthy as the others.

Daniel is speaking to the Babylonian official responsible for their care. The situation is that Daniel and his friends do not want to eat the royal food for religious reasons, so they propose a trial period. Daniel asks the official to look at their "countenances" (faces or appearance) and compare them to those who eat the king’s food, then act accordingly based on the results.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 1:13

  • "Countenances" (מַרְאֶה, mar'eh): This word refers to appearance, especially the face. Daniel is asking for a visible, outward comparison, not just a private or spiritual one.
  • "Portion" and "meat" (פַּת־בַּג, pat-bag): Both words refer to the specific food allotted from the king’s table. This highlights that Daniel’s test is about the official royal diet, not just any food.
  • "Deal" (עָשָׂה, asah): This word means "to do" or "to act." Daniel is giving the official permission to respond however he sees fit after the test, showing trust in a fair outcome.

Why Daniel 1:13 matters

  • Daniel 1:13 clarifies that Daniel is not demanding special treatment but is willing to be judged by the results, which shows humility and faith.
  • The verse emphasizes the fairness and openness of Daniel’s request, making it clear that he is not trying to deceive or manipulate the official.
  • This verse sets up the outcome of the test, which becomes a key moment in showing God’s care for Daniel and his friends in a foreign land.

Where else these words appear

“portion” Hebrew H6598 · used in 6 verses

  • Daniel 1:5 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.
  • Daniel 1:8 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.
  • Daniel 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

“children” Hebrew H3206 · used in 76 verses

  • Genesis 4:23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
  • Exodus 21:4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.
  • 2 Chronicles 10:10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.

“countenances” Hebrew H4758 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
  • Deuteronomy 28:34 So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
  • Ezekiel 1:27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.