Daniel 1:18 kjv

Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel 1:18 nkjv

Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel 1:18 niv

At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel 1:18 esv

At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel 1:18 nlt

When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel 1 verses

Daniel 1 18 Meaning

Daniel 1:18 marks the completion of the designated three-year training period for Daniel and his three companions (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah), culminating in their presentation before King Nebuchadnezzar. It signifies the culmination of their acculturation and instruction within the Babylonian system and the commencement of their direct service in the royal court, a moment ordained by God.

Daniel 1 18 Context

Daniel 1:18 is situated at a critical juncture in the narrative of Daniel. The chapter introduces Daniel and his three friends, young Judean nobles who were among the first exiles taken to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 1:1-4). They were selected for a specialized three-year training program designed to assimilate them into Babylonian culture and equip them for royal service (Dan 1:5). The preceding verses detail their refusal to defile themselves with the king's rich food and wine, opting for a diet of vegetables and water instead, and how God blessed their faithfulness by granting them not only health but also extraordinary knowledge and wisdom (Dan 1:8-17). Verse 18 then describes the culmination of this period, marking the transition from their preparation to their direct engagement with the powerful King Nebuchadnezzar himself, for formal assessment and appointment.

Historically, this occurred around 605 BC, following Nebuchadnezzar's first siege of Jerusalem. The Babylonian strategy of taking young, educated elites from conquered nations and integrating them into their imperial administration was a common practice designed to stabilize and control new territories by gaining the loyalty and utilizing the talents of the conquered population. The entire narrative within this context implicitly highlights the subtle yet powerful clash between Babylonian polytheism and the monotheism of Israel, with Daniel's God proving superior even within the pagan court.

Daniel 1 18 Word Analysis

• Now at the end of the days:
  • Original: מקצה הימים (miqqets ha-yāmîm) – Hebrew for "from the end of the days/years."
  • Significance: This phrase directly references the "three years" mentioned in Daniel 1:5, marking the completion of the designated training period. It implies a precisely defined period rather than an indefinite length of time. This fixed timeline underscores God's sovereignty working within human structures, where even imperial decrees inadvertently serve His purposes. The fulfillment of this temporal marker signals the beginning of a new phase, a pivotal moment in their lives.
• when the king had said:
  • Meaning: Refers to King Nebuchadnezzar's directive. His word held absolute authority in Babylon.
  • Significance: This emphasizes that their presentation was not a casual event but a formal command from the most powerful ruler of their time. It sets the scene for a significant evaluation and reinforces the structure of the Babylonian court system. The king's command is a catalyst for the divine wisdom in Daniel and his friends to be displayed.
• that they should be brought in:
  • Meaning: This refers to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
  • Significance: "Brought in" implies a formal summons and presentation for examination, not merely an informal meeting. It highlights the formality and significance of the event. This was the moment for which they had been trained and prepared, and it would determine their future roles.
• then the chief of the eunuchs:
  • Original: שׂר הסריסים (sar ha-sārîsîm) – Hebrew for "chief of the eunuchs" or "master of the palace personnel." This individual is identified as Ashpenaz in Daniel 1:3 and 1:7.
  • Significance: Ashpenaz was in charge of the youths chosen for the king's service. His action here is the formal discharge of his duty, presenting his trainees to the king for their final assessment. This emphasizes the hierarchical structure of the Babylonian court and the meticulous adherence to protocol, even as divine power was at work through these circumstances.
• brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar:
  • Meaning: The direct presentation of Daniel and his friends to the most powerful man in the world at that time.
  • Significance: This is the climactic moment of their three-year preparation. It is the public stage where their obedience to God (regarding diet) and God's resultant blessing of superior wisdom will be put to the test against all the "magicians and astrologers" of Babylon. The phrase "before Nebuchadnezzar" stresses the authority and formidable nature of the figure they faced, yet it also sets the stage for God's demonstration of power and wisdom that would surpass even the great king's own wisdom.

Daniel 1 18 Bonus section

• The structure of Daniel 1 highlights a progression: selection (vv. 3-7), testing (vv. 8-16), divine favor/blessing (vv. 17), and finally, presentation (v. 18) and placement (v. 19-20). Each stage is integral to God's preparation of His instruments.
• The phrase "at the end of the days" or "at the completion of the time" echoes a theme in scripture where specific timeframes are divinely appointed for events to unfold (e.g., Gal 4:4 "when the fullness of the time had come"). This suggests that their promotion was not merely coincidental but part of God's greater plan.
• This verse represents a fulfillment of the challenge presented earlier in the chapter (v.17) where God gave them knowledge and skill. Their entrance before Nebuchadnezzar is the moment that gift will be put to the test.
• The presentation of Daniel and his friends to Nebuchadnezzar sets a pattern seen elsewhere in the Bible, such as Joseph being brought before Pharaoh (Gen 41:14), or Esther being presented to King Ahasuerus (Esth 2:12-16). In all these instances, seemingly powerful human rulers unwittingly become instruments for God to elevate His chosen servants and achieve His sovereign purposes.

Daniel 1 18 Commentary

Daniel 1:18 marks the pivotal transition point for Daniel and his three companions from a period of specialized training to direct service within Nebuchadnezzar's royal court. This verse, though concise, underscores the precision of divine timing, as "the end of the days" signifies the fulfillment of the previously stipulated three-year preparation. It highlights the rigid protocol of the Babylonian court, where the king's word was absolute and his appointed officials, like the chief of the eunuchs, meticulously executed his commands.

More profoundly, this verse silently sets the stage for a dramatic display of God's wisdom and favor. Having remained faithful in small things—their dietary choices—Daniel and his friends were now poised for a public demonstration of God's anointing upon their lives. Their presentation to Nebuchadnezzar was not just a bureaucratic formality but a moment orchestrated by divine providence. It provided the context for God to validate His servants' commitment and showcase a wisdom that would later prove unparalleled by any of Babylon's learned men. This seemingly mundane court procedure thus became the pathway for Daniel's subsequent rise and his critical role in God's prophetic plan for the nations.