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 1:5KJVWhat does Daniel 1:5 mean?
Daniel 1:5 describes how the king of Babylon assigned a daily portion of his own food and wine to certain young men, intending to nourish them for three years so they would be fit to serve in his court. The verse explains the king’s plan to prepare these captives for official duties by providing them with the best provisions.
This verse is set in the time when King Nebuchadnezzar had taken young men from Israel, including Daniel, to Babylon. The king (Nebuchadnezzar) is making arrangements for their training and well-being, aiming to shape them into capable servants for his administration. The focus is on the king’s careful selection and investment in these young men, showing both the seriousness of their preparation and the expectation that they would eventually “stand before the king,” meaning they would serve in important roles.
The Hebrew behind Daniel 1:5
- מָנָה (manah, “appointed”): This word means to assign or designate something specifically. The use here shows the king’s direct involvement and authority in choosing what these young men would receive each day.
- דְּבַר (davar, “provision”): While often translated as “word” or “matter,” here it refers to the portion or allotment of food, emphasizing that this was a specific, measured amount.
- פַּת־בַּג (pat-bag, “meat”): This phrase refers to the king’s special food, not just ordinary meat but the rich fare from the royal table, highlighting the privilege and temptation involved.
- גָּדַל (gadal, “nourishing”): This word means to make great or to grow. The idea is that the king wanted these young men to be physically and perhaps intellectually developed during their training.
Why Daniel 1:5 matters
- Daniel 1:5 clarifies that the king’s food was not just a luxury but part of a structured program to shape the captives for royal service, not simply an act of generosity.
- The verse sets up the coming tension in the story, as Daniel and his friends will later choose not to eat this food, making their decision more significant in light of the king’s careful planning.
- Understanding the king’s intention to “nourish” these young men for three years highlights the seriousness and length of their preparation, showing that their service before the king was a high and demanding calling.