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 1:5KJV
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Daniel 1:5 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“end” Hebrew H7117 · used in 5 verses

  • Nehemiah 7:70 And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.
  • Daniel 1:2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
  • Daniel 1:15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.

“meat” Hebrew H6598 · used in 6 verses

  • 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 1:13 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 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

“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.

“drank” Hebrew H4960 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Esther 1:9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
  • Esther 9:18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.