Daniel 1:15 kjv

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.

Daniel 1:15 nkjv

And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies.

Daniel 1:15 niv

At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.

Daniel 1:15 esv

At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's food.

Daniel 1:15 nlt

At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king.

Daniel 1 verses

Daniel 1 15 Meaning

At the culmination of the ten-day trial, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, who chose a diet of vegetables and water instead of the king's rich food and wine, appeared visibly healthier and better nourished than the young men who consumed the royal provisions. This verse demonstrates the divine blessing and miraculous preservation bestowed upon those who honored God by upholding His commands.

Daniel 1 15 Context

Daniel chapter 1 introduces Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, four young men from Judah's royal line, who were taken captive to Babylon during Nebuchadnezzar's reign. They were selected for a three-year training program designed to indoctrinate them into Babylonian culture and administration. The king appointed them a daily provision of his rich food and wine. However, Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the king's food, as it likely violated Mosaic dietary laws (non-kosher, food offered to idols) and therefore defied the true God. Daniel proposed a ten-day test to the chief eunuch: that he and his friends be given only vegetables and water. Verse 15 details the miraculous physical outcome of this specific trial, preceding their future roles in the Babylonian court. This immediate and observable result served as validation for their obedience and demonstrated divine favor in a pagan environment.

Daniel 1 15 Word analysis

• And at the end of ten days: Specifies the brief, limited duration of the trial. The brevity emphasizes the swiftness and supernatural nature of the result. It signifies a definitive observation point.
• their countenances: (Hebrew: מַרְאֵיהֶם, mar'eihém) Refers to their outward appearance, their visages or visible features. It points to a clear, undeniable physical manifestation. This was observable and objective proof.
• appeared fairer: (Hebrew: טוֹב, ṭov) Signifies good, pleasant, wholesome, or healthier in appearance. It implies not just aesthetic beauty, but a look of robust well-being. This suggests superior vitality and not just a thinness resulting from an austere diet.
• and fatter in flesh: (Hebrew: בְּרִיאִים בָּשָׂר, bərî'îm bāśār) Implies robust physical health and fullness, not merely corpulence, but a look of solid nourishment. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a plump and well-fleshed appearance was a sign of health, prosperity, and status. It contrasted sharply with signs of emaciation or sickness.
• than all the young men: Establishes a direct, comparative benchmark. Their exceptional appearance stood out remarkably when juxtaposed with their peers. This direct comparison heightens the impact of the divine intervention.
• which did eat the portion of the king's meat: Identifies the control group and highlights the specific choice they made. This refers to the luxurious, perhaps idol-sacrificed, and non-kosher foods from the royal table. It serves as the basis for the trial's contrast.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared": The immediate and visible result of the spiritual choice. It's an affirmation from God in a short, demonstrable period.
  • "fairer and fatter in flesh": This double description emphasizes the complete and comprehensive physical well-being. It refutes any natural expectation that a vegetable and water diet would make them weak or less presentable compared to a rich royal diet. It points to divine blessing counteracting natural outcomes.
  • "than all the young men which did eat the portion of the king's meat": This strong comparison underscores the supernatural nature of the result. It highlights the superiority of God's blessing over human provisions and systems, subtly challenging the perceived wisdom and sustenance of the pagan king's methods. It's a testament to the fact that divine favor surpasses all worldly advantages.

Daniel 1 15 Bonus section

The event in Daniel 1:15 is often viewed as a "test of dependence." Daniel and his friends placed their trust wholly in God's provision rather than relying on human wisdom or worldly sustenance for their physical well-being. This was a direct challenge to the Babylonian worldview that elevated their king's power and provision. The result showcased the principle that God's ways lead to true flourishing, beyond what human systems can offer. Furthermore, the external, physical well-being serves as an important foreshadowing or parallel to the spiritual and intellectual favor and wisdom they would subsequently receive from God (Dan 1:17, 1:20), indicating a holistic blessing on those who consecrate themselves to Him. This initial success validated the "test" not as a dietary preference but as an act of faith and separation unto God, demonstrating that living distinctly for the Lord in a secular culture results in divine distinction.

Daniel 1 15 Commentary

Daniel 1:15 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating the immediate, tangible reward for Daniel and his companions' faithfulness and adherence to God's law. Their superior physical appearance after a mere ten days, contrary to human expectation, served as a divine attestation that God honors those who honor Him, even in a foreign, pagan land. This outcome was not due to the inherent nutritional superiority of vegetables, but rather the miraculous intervention of God, demonstrating His power to sustain and bless His obedient children. It established credibility for their resolve, affirming that the purity sought was not only spiritual but visibly attested by physical vitality. The health and robustness they exhibited, surpassing those who conformed to the king's table, silently proclaimed God's supremacy over Babylon's might and its cultural and spiritual practices. It illustrates that spiritual principles have physical ramifications, providing a foundation for their subsequent roles as witnesses for Yahweh in a hostile kingdom. This act set a precedent for their unwavering commitment in future trials, underscoring the enduring principle that God delights in and blesses those who prioritize His will.