Daniel 1:13 kjv

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 1:13 nkjv

Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king's delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants."

Daniel 1:13 niv

Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see."

Daniel 1:13 esv

Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see."

Daniel 1:13 nlt

"At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king's food. Then make your decision in light of what you see."

Daniel 1 verses

Daniel 1 13 Meaning

Daniel 1:13 presents Daniel's humble yet firm proposition to the palace steward. Recognizing the steward's fear, Daniel devises a pragmatic and faith-filled test. He suggests comparing the physical appearance and well-being of himself and his three friends—who would consume a simple diet of vegetables and water—with that of the other young men eating the rich royal food and wine, over a ten-day period. The underlying meaning is an appeal to empirical evidence, demonstrating trust in God's ability to sustain and bless those who honor Him through obedience, even in adverse circumstances. It asserts that God's provision and favor are superior to earthly sustenance and cultural assimilation.

Daniel 1 13 Context

Daniel 1:13 is a pivotal moment following Daniel's decision in verse 8 to not defile himself with the king's rich food and wine. Having found favor with the chief of eunuchs, Daniel faces a hurdle when the official fears losing his head if Daniel and his friends look worse than other youths. Daniel, rather than defiantly refusing, strategically offers a practical, testable solution directly to the immediate attendant, the overseer (Melzar), rather than challenging the higher authority. This verse outlines the specific terms of the proposed trial, emphasizing observable physical results. The broader historical context is the Babylonian Exile, where Israelite identity and faith were under severe pressure from Babylonian culture and customs. The king's food and wine were likely involved in pagan religious rituals, which would violate Mosaic law and compromise their faith. Daniel’s action demonstrates a commitment to holiness, discernment in navigating authority, and profound trust in God's active involvement.

Daniel 1 13 Word analysis

• "Then" (וְעָשֵׂה, vĕ‘aseh / Hebrew): A conjunction signifying sequence or a logical consequence of the previous request (Daniel 1:12). It introduces the action that should follow.
• "let our countenances":
  • "countenances" (מַרְאֶה, mareh / Hebrew): Refers to the physical appearance, outward aspect, or visible condition, encompassing not just the face but the entire bodily disposition and health. It implies general well-being as observed by sight. This is significant as the test is based on objective, visual evidence.
  • "be looked upon" (יֵרָאֶה, yēraʾeh / Hebrew): From the root raʾah (רָאָה), meaning "to see," "to look," "to appear." This form is passive, indicating that their appearance should be subjected to scrutiny or observation. It suggests an impartial evaluation.
• "before thee" (לְפָנֶיךָ, lĕp̄āneykā / Hebrew): Literally "before your face." Emphasizes that the steward (Melzar) himself is the direct observer and judge of the outcome. It personalizes the observation to him.
• "and the countenance of the youths": Reiterates the term mareh for "countenance," explicitly calling for a comparative observation between Daniel and his friends and other young men.
• "that eat of the king's portion":
  • "eat" (אֹכְלִים, ‘okh̆lîm / Hebrew): Participle, indicating an ongoing state.
  • "king's portion" (פַּת־הַמֶּלֶךְ, pat-hammelekh / Hebrew): Refers to the royal provision of food and drink, usually rich and elaborate. This phrase highlights the stark contrast in diet being proposed for the test, implying that this diet typically symbolizes prosperity and health according to conventional wisdom, but potentially compromise for the faithful.
• "and as thou seest": (כַּאֲשֶׁר תִּרְאֶה, ka’ăšer tir’eh / Hebrew): "According to what you see" or "as it appears to you." This phrase places the final judgment squarely on the steward's observation, making the decision purely empirical and removing any subjective bias from Daniel's side. It demonstrates Daniel's complete confidence in God's ability to supernaturally maintain or even enhance their health, validating his choice through visible results.
• "deal with thy servants":
  • "deal with" (עֲשֵׂה, ‘ăśēh / Hebrew): Imperative verb meaning "do," "act," or "deal." It's a humble instruction for the steward to make his decision based on the observed evidence.
  • "thy servants" (עֲבָדֶיךָ, ‘ăvādêkā / Hebrew): Daniel humbly refers to himself and his friends as the steward's servants, acknowledging his immediate authority and seeking his favorable decision. This demonstrates humility and respect, not defiance.

Words-group analysis:

• "let our countenances be looked upon... and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king's portion": This phrasing establishes a direct, observable, and comparative trial. Daniel isn't just seeking permission for his diet; he's challenging the premise that the king's rich fare is superior for well-being. This is a subtle polemic against the supposed strength or prestige derived from Babylonian culture and its diet, suggesting God's way is truly sustaining.
• "and as thou seest, deal with thy servants": This segment encapsulates Daniel's humble yet resolute faith. It is an appeal to observable reality, trusting that God's faithfulness will be visibly demonstrated. It puts the onus of judgment on the steward, making him a witness to God's handiwork without Daniel directly appealing to God.

Daniel 1 13 Bonus section

Daniel's proposition showcases proactive faith. He doesn't merely stand firm in refusal but takes initiative to present a solution that aligns with God's will while respecting human authority. This calculated risk demonstrated courage, as failure would have serious consequences. His method bypasses direct theological confrontation, instead allowing God to speak through the visible outcome. This strategic thinking enabled God's power to be manifested and further secured his and his friends' position to continue serving the Lord in a hostile environment, paving the way for greater divine purposes in the following chapters of Daniel's life and ministry.

Daniel 1 13 Commentary

Daniel 1:13 unveils Daniel’s wisdom, tact, and profound faith. Rather than arguing or defying the steward, he proposes a practical, short-term experiment, a ten-day trial, based on objective observation. This was a strategic move, recognizing the steward's understandable fear and offering a pathway forward that minimized risk for all parties. Daniel’s confidence rested not on the inherent health benefits of a vegetarian diet—though there are some—but on his conviction that God would honor his obedience. The "countenances" signify overall physical well-being, the external manifestation of internal health. This verse shows Daniel's understanding that God's power could be empirically demonstrated, affirming that true sustenance and flourishing come from God's blessing on a righteous walk, not from the lavish provisions of a pagan court. It is a profound illustration of living faithfully in a foreign land by combining spiritual principles with practical wisdom. This is not a universal mandate for all believers to become vegetarian, but an example of principled stand for distinctiveness and trust in God's providence, when one's core convictions are at stake, showing how God-honoring choices can yield tangible, positive results.