Daniel 1:14 kjv

So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

Daniel 1:14 nkjv

So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.

Daniel 1:14 niv

So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

Daniel 1:14 esv

So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days.

Daniel 1:14 nlt

The attendant agreed to Daniel's suggestion and tested them for ten days.

Daniel 1 verses

Daniel 1 14 Meaning

This verse describes the chief eunuch's or steward's (Melzar, the overseer) pragmatic agreement to Daniel's unconventional request for a special diet. He consented to a ten-day trial period, during which Daniel and his three companions would abstain from the king's rich provisions and subsist solely on vegetables and water. This agreement to "test them" signifies an experimental phase to observe the physical outcome of their proposed dietary adherence, allowing both parties to ascertain the immediate results without permanent commitment or perceived insubordination.

Daniel 1 14 Context

Daniel chapter 1 recounts the initial experience of Daniel and his three friends – Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (who were renamed Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego) – after being captured from Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. They were chosen to be trained in Babylonian wisdom and culture to serve in the king's court. This training included a daily allotment of the king's food and wine. However, Daniel "purposed in his heart" (Dan 1:8) not to defile himself with these royal provisions, likely due to dietary restrictions under the Mosaic Law or the food being offered to idols.

Daniel approached Melzar, the overseer of the youths, with a request for a vegetarian diet and water. While the overseer was initially hesitant due to fear of the king's displeasure if the youths appeared less healthy, Daniel, through divine favor, persuaded him. Verse 14 specifically states the overseer's acceptance of a temporary "test" period of ten days to observe the outcome of this unusual dietary regimen. This pivotal agreement allows Daniel and his friends to remain faithful to their convictions while assuaging the overseer's fears, setting the stage for God's demonstration of wisdom and health that follows. Historically, young men from conquered nations were integrated into the imperial bureaucracy through such re-education programs, emphasizing complete assimilation; Daniel's act was a quiet yet profound resistance.

Daniel 1 14 Word analysis

• So he consented (וַיִּשְׁמַע֮ - vayyishma')

  • The Hebrew root שׁמע (shama) means "to hear," "to listen," and often "to obey" or "to comply." In this context, it implies more than just passive hearing; it indicates an active agreement or concession to the request. The overseer not only heard Daniel but acceded to his petition. This highlights God's influence mentioned in Dan 1:9, making the overseer amenable to a seemingly risky proposition.

• to them (לָהֶ֛ם - lahem)

  • Refers collectively to Daniel and his three companions: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. This indicates their shared conviction and unity in standing against the defilement, which strengthened Daniel's appeal and the overseer's decision to test them together.

• in this matter (לַדָּבָ֖ר הַזֶּ֑ה - ladavar hazzeh)

  • דָּבָר (davar) means "word," "thing," "matter," or "affair." "This matter" specifically refers to Daniel's proposed dietary alternative—eating only vegetables (zero'im) and water—rather than the king's assigned food and drink. It highlights the precise point of negotiation and agreement.

• and tested them (וַיְנַסֵּ֥ם - vaynassem)

  • The root נסה (nasa) means "to try," "to test," "to prove," or "to put to the proof." This is a crucial action. The overseer isn't acting purely on trust; he is employing a pragmatic, observable method to verify the outcome of Daniel's bold claim. It's a trial or an experiment. This "testing" implies an open-minded approach, an willingness to put God's faithfulness to a measurable test, however unwittingly on the overseer's part.

• for ten days (עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת יָמִֽים - 'aseret yamim)

  • A specific, short, and practical duration. Ten days is sufficient time to show visible changes in physical appearance (like pallor or plumpness) or energy levels, allowing for a tangible comparison with those eating the royal provisions. In biblical numerology, "ten" can often symbolize completeness, divine order, or a full measure. Here, it signifies a decisive period for a clear, observable demonstration of God's blessing on their obedience.

Daniel 1 14 Bonus section

The nature of the "test" in Daniel 1:14 reveals an important principle about demonstrating faith. Daniel didn't merely expect a miraculous intervention without any observable proof; he offered a verifiable hypothesis. This blend of faith and practicality (or spiritual truth tested empirically) shows that genuine faith is often not reckless, but confident in God's ability to act in discernable ways. This specific instance of a "dietary test" has resonated through Christian history, emphasizing self-control, simple living, and reliance on God's provision even in situations where secular expectations differ. It underlines the concept of proving God's faithfulness in specific, measurable situations, encouraging believers to seek ways to tangibly demonstrate the efficacy of following God's commands even in everyday matters.

Daniel 1 14 Commentary

Daniel 1:14 captures a crucial turning point in the lives of Daniel and his friends, emphasizing the practical implications of divine favor (Dan 1:9). The overseer's consent wasn't an act of blind trust or theological conviction but a cautious, pragmatic agreement to a "test." He needed tangible proof that diverting from the king's diet wouldn't jeopardize their health or his own position. This demonstrates God's sovereignty, as He influenced a non-believing authority to create an opportunity for His faithful servants.

The "ten-day" period signifies a brief, observable window, a challenge for God to prove Himself in a visible way. It wasn't an indefinite trial but a clear, time-bound experiment designed to yield quick results. This outcome would either confirm Daniel's plea or expose its failure. Their decision was a quiet act of faith, trusting that God would uphold them even when their choices appeared to be at odds with conventional wisdom or royal decree. It served as a prototype of how God often intervenes in the natural world to honor spiritual obedience. The verse underscores that sometimes God works through small, controlled tests to reveal His power and affirm the wisdom of His ways to both His people and to those observing them.

Examples:

• Facing a job requiring a compromise of faith, and praying for God to open a non-compromising alternative.
• Making a lifestyle change based on biblical principles and observing God's provision and blessings manifest.