I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

DANIEL 10:3KJV
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Daniel 10:3 (KJV)

What does Daniel 10:3 mean?

Daniel 10:3 describes how Daniel chose not to eat any enjoyable food, meat, or wine, and did not use oil for personal care, for a period of three weeks. This verse shows Daniel setting aside normal comforts as a sign of mourning or deep spiritual focus.

Daniel himself is speaking in this verse, describing his actions during a time of seeking understanding from God. The setting is during the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia, when Daniel was troubled by a vision. By mentioning specific things he avoided—pleasant bread, meat, wine, and anointing—Daniel emphasizes the seriousness and intensity of his devotion and concern.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 10:3

  • "Pleasant" (חֲמֻדוֹת, ḥămudot): This word means "desirable" or "delightful." Daniel is not just avoiding any bread, but specifically the kind that is enjoyable or special, highlighting self-denial.
  • "Anoint" (סוּךְ, sûkh): In ancient times, anointing with oil was a common practice for comfort and refreshment. Daniel’s choice not to anoint himself shows he is intentionally avoiding comfort, further expressing his mourning.
  • "Weeks" (שָׁבוּעַ, shavu'a): This word means a period of seven, usually days. Daniel’s fast lasted for three full weeks, stressing the length and seriousness of his commitment.

Why Daniel 10:3 matters

  • Daniel 10:3 clarifies that Daniel’s fast was not a total abstinence from all food, but a deliberate avoidance of certain enjoyable foods and comforts, which helps prevent misunderstandings about biblical fasting.
  • The verse highlights Daniel’s deep emotional and spiritual state, showing that his actions were a response to troubling revelations and a desire for understanding from God.
  • This verse sets the stage for the rest of Daniel 10, where Daniel’s humility and persistence in seeking God lead to a significant angelic encounter and further revelation.

Where else these words appear

“anoint” Hebrew H5480 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:40 Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.
  • 2 Samuel 12:20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:15 And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.

“weeks” Hebrew H7620 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
  • Deuteronomy 16:9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.
  • Ezekiel 45:21 In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.

“pleasant” Hebrew H2532 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 27:15 And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:
  • Isaiah 2:16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.
  • Daniel 11:8 And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.

“wine” Hebrew H3196 · used in 134 verses

  • Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:10 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
  • Isaiah 22:13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.