Daniel 1:16 kjv

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

Daniel 1:16 nkjv

Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

Daniel 1:16 niv

So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

Daniel 1:16 esv

So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

Daniel 1:16 nlt

So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.

Daniel 1 verses

Daniel 1 16 Meaning

Daniel 1:16 indicates that following the successful ten-day test (Daniel 1:12-15), Melzar, the steward, continued to implement the special diet for Daniel and his three friends. He regularly removed the luxurious royal provisions and wine allotted to them and instead provided them with vegetables (pulse) and water. This verse confirms the sustained favor and physical blessing granted to them due to their faithfulness and reliance on God.

Daniel 1 16 Context

Immediate Context (Daniel 1:15-17): This verse is the direct follow-up to the successful ten-day trial. Daniel 1:15 shows that after ten days on the simple diet, Daniel and his friends looked healthier than the others. Verse 16 describes how this healthier state was maintained: Melzar continued to remove their king's food and give them vegetables. This paved the way for the greater blessing described in Daniel 1:17, where God grants them extraordinary wisdom and knowledge, directly linking their physical flourishing to divine favor and intellectual ability.

Chapter Context (Daniel 1): The chapter details the capture and exile of promising young men from Judah to Babylon. Daniel and his friends, chosen for special training, faced an immediate challenge to their faith: partaking in the king's rich diet. This food was likely problematic for faithful Jews due to its possible consecration to Babylonian idols, inclusion of non-kosher items, or simply its association with a pagan lifestyle that might defile their resolve. Daniel’s initiative to request a test diet demonstrates his principled stand and trust in God's ability to sustain them through obedience, a trust affirmed by Melzar’s willingness to cooperate. Verse 16 shows the long-term establishment of this principled dietary choice.

Historical/Cultural Context: During the Babylonian exile, faithful Jews aimed to preserve their identity and covenant purity amidst pagan pressure. Food laws (like those in Leviticus) were central to Jewish identity. However, the King's food was not just about adherence to kosher laws; it likely symbolized assimilation into Babylonian culture, spiritual compromise, and participation in the Babylonian religious system through food offerings to idols. Refusal was a quiet but profound act of defiance and allegiance to the God of Israel, making a clear distinction between the purity of God's ways and the defilement of Babylon.

Daniel 1 16 Word analysis

• וַיְהִי (vayhi - "and it was," "so it happened," "thus"): A common Hebrew sequential connector. Here, it indicates a direct consequence or the continuation of an action flowing from the events described previously (especially the successful test in v.15). It shows the transition from a temporary experiment to a settled practice.
• הַמֶּלְצַר (ham-meltzar - "the Melzar," "the steward"): "Melzar" could be a specific title for an overseer or cupbearer in the Persian/Babylonian court (cf. Ezra 7:21), or possibly a personal name. Its consistent use here underscores his direct agency in maintaining the dietary arrangement. His action shows practical cooperation, either from conviction due to the evident positive outcome or simple professional obligation.
• נוֹשֵׂא (noseh - participle, "taking away," "removing," "bearing"): The participle form signifies a continuous or repeated action, emphasizing that Melzar regularly carried out this task, day after day. It highlights a sustained process, not a one-time event.
• אֶת־פַּת־בְּגִים (et-pat-b'gim - "their portion of the delicious food"):
  • פַּת (pat - "portion," "piece"): A piece of bread or food, implying an allotted portion.
  • בְּגִים (b'gim - "dainty/choice food," "luxuries"): This refers specifically to rich, desirable food, particularly that found at a royal table. This emphasizes the value and allure of what Daniel and his friends were willingly rejecting. The problem with this food was not its nutritional value but its association with idolatry, impurity, or worldly indulgence.
• מֵאָכְלָם (me'ochlam - "from their food"): "Their food" refers to the specific royal diet that was initially assigned to them, establishing it as the standard provision they were foregoing.
• וְיַיִן (v'yayin - "and wine"): Refers to the fermented drink provided by the king, often associated with banquets and revelry in contrast to the water they drank. Like the food, it carried the potential for ritual impurity or excess.
• מִשְׁתֵּיהֶם (mishtehem - "their drink"): Specifically designates the drink allotted to them as part of their daily provisions.
• וְנֹתֵן (v'noten - participle, "and giving"): Like noseh, this participle indicates the continuous action of providing the alternative. This juxtaposes the taking away of one provision with the steady provision of another.
• לָהֶם (lahem - "to them"): Referring to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
• זֵרֹעִים (zera'im - "vegetables," "pulse," "seeds," "legumes"): This term denotes a simple, plant-based diet, consistent with grains, legumes, and various herbs. This was a direct contrast to the rich meat and wine, underscoring the simplicity and purity they preferred.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Thus Melzar took away...and gave them...": This phrase highlights Melzar's pivotal role. His decision was critical; he could have easily disregarded the trial results or found a way to revert to the standard. His continued action solidified Daniel's request into a routine. It demonstrates that the prior success was not a one-off miracle but a sustained blessing due to faithful living, even on the part of an overseer.
• "their portion of food and the wine that they should drink": This explicitly identifies what was being foregone: the king's royal fare, which represented potential defilement and assimilation into Babylonian culture. The specific mention of "food" and "wine" clarifies the entirety of the king's lavish diet, chosen not for its simplicity or dietary balance, but for its prestige and perhaps idol association.
• "and gave them pulse": This specifies the alternative, the simple, plant-based diet requested. This demonstrates God's enablement in providing a wholesome substitute, showcasing that God honors those who stand firm in their faith and provides for them in ways that uphold their purity.

Daniel 1 16 Bonus section

• God's Hand in Melzar's Compliance: While Melzar's continued action might appear purely rational given the evidence (v.15), the larger narrative of Daniel points to God actively working behind the scenes. Just as God "granted Daniel favor and compassion" (v.9), it's implied that God moved Melzar to sustain this unusual arrangement, safeguarding His servants' purity and paving the way for their future roles. This exemplifies God aligning circumstances and influencing human wills to accomplish His purposes.
• Principle of Testing and Trust: The verse reinforces the principle that when believers act in faith, God often provides visible affirmations. Daniel's bold request was a step of faith, and this verse shows God honoring that faith by making the exceptional diet the accepted norm. This encourages believers to trust God even in seemingly small, everyday choices related to conviction, knowing He is able to provide and sustain.

Daniel 1 16 Commentary

Daniel 1:16 marks a critical point where divine favor, demonstrated through physical results (v.15), translates into established practice. It's not just that the test was successful for ten days, but that the outcome was so compelling that Melzar continued the specialized diet indefinitely. This signifies several key points: first, God’s vindication of His servants’ faithfulness. Their commitment to avoiding defilement was seen not only in their appearance but also in their overall wellbeing, which exceeded that of those eating the king’s provisions. Second, it highlights the powerful impact of observable blessing, which even influenced an unbelieving official to cooperate with their non-traditional approach. Melzar, previously concerned about his own safety (v.10), now demonstrates sustained trust in the arrangement due to undeniable proof. The spiritual conviction of Daniel and his friends found practical outworking in daily provision, securing their distinct identity and purity in a hostile environment. This verse thus stands as a testament to God's providence, honoring faith through tangible, practical outcomes that paved the way for greater wisdom and understanding.