Daniel 1:3 kjv
And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
Daniel 1:3 nkjv
Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king's descendants and some of the nobles,
Daniel 1:3 niv
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king's service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility?
Daniel 1:3 esv
Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility,
Daniel 1:3 nlt
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah's royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives.
Daniel 1 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Ki 24:14 | And he carried away all Jerusalem and all the officials and all the mighty men of valor... and all the craftsmen and the smiths... | Deportation of leading figures |
| 2 Ki 24:15 | He also carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon. The king's mother, the king's wives... and the leading men of the land he took into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. | Specific targeting of royal/leading families |
| 2 Ch 36:10 | In the spring of the year King Nebuchadnezzar sent and brought him to Babylon, with the precious vessels of the house of the Lord... | Captivity of Jehoiachin and temple articles |
| Jer 27:6 | “Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant..." | God's sovereignty over pagan kings |
| Jer 25:9 | “...I will send for all the tribes of the north,” declares the Lord, “and for Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant..." | Nebuchadnezzar as God's instrument |
| Jer 29:10 | "For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill my good word to you..." | Prophecy of duration of exile |
| Lam 1:3 | Judah has gone into exile because of affliction and hard servitude; she dwells now among the nations, but finds no resting place... | Exile as divine judgment |
| Gen 41:45-46 | And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him Asenath... And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh... | Joseph's assimilation into Egyptian court |
| Ex 1:8-10 | Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph... "Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply..." | Fear of foreign population; attempts at control |
| Isa 39:6-7 | "Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house and that which your fathers have stored up till this day shall be carried to Babylon... and your sons..." | Prophecy of royal descendants in exile |
| Deut 28:49-50 | The Lord will bring a nation against you from far away... a nation of fierce appearance who will not pay respect to the old or show favor to the young. | Warning of invasion and ruthless enemies |
| Pro 22:6 | Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. | Significance of early training/indoctrination |
| Deut 23:1 | "No one whose testicles are crushed or whose male organ is cut off may enter the assembly of the Lord." | Law regarding eunuchs, contextual for Daniel 1 |
| Psa 137:1 | By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. | Emotional impact of exile |
| Jer 40:4 | "Now, behold, I release you today from the chains on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you..." | Option for some to go to Babylon with dignity |
| Dan 1:4 | youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom... | Description of selected youth (subsequent verse) |
| Phil 2:15 | ...that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation... | God's people's integrity in corrupt environment |
| Dan 5:1-2 | King Belshazzar made a great feast... As he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar, his father, had carried away... | Reference to previous plunder by Nebuchadnezzar |
| 1 Cor 10:13 | No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability... | Divine allowance and limit on trials |
| Matt 10:16 | "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." | Navigating hostile environments wisely |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. | God's institution of governing authorities |
| Psa 76:10 | For the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will restrain. | God's control over human actions, even evil |
| Acts 7:22 | And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds. | Exposure to foreign education/wisdom (Moses) |
| Zec 7:5-6 | "When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? ...it was for yourselves, was it not?" | Acknowledging the reason for seventy years of exile |
Daniel 1 verses
Daniel 1 3 Meaning
Daniel 1:3 records the command of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to Ashpenaz, the chief of his eunuchs. This command initiated the selection of specific individuals from the captured people of Israel—particularly those of royal lineage and noble birth—to be brought into the royal palace for special training. This act served to integrate the most promising Judean youth into Babylonian service, consolidating control and utilizing their potential.
Daniel 1 3 Context
Daniel chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the book, setting the stage for Daniel's experiences in exile. Historically, it immediately follows the initial Babylonian conquest of Judah in 605 BC, during the reign of King Jehoiakim. Nebuchadnezzar's forces had besieged Jerusalem, fulfilling earlier prophetic warnings of judgment due to Judah's idolatry and disobedience (e.g., Jer 25:9-11). This verse specifically highlights Nebuchadnezzar's strategic move to integrate the best and brightest of the conquered Judean people into his empire's administration. Rather than indiscriminate slaughter or simple enslavement, Nebuchadnezzar sought to harness their potential, ensuring they would serve Babylon's interests. This was a common tactic for empires, aiming to dismantle the identity of conquered peoples by re-educating their elite, turning them into loyal subjects, and thereby undermining any future rebellion. For the original audience, the reality of exile and foreign domination was stark, yet Daniel’s narrative also subtlely conveyed God's ultimate sovereignty even over a powerful pagan king.
Daniel 1 3 Word analysis
- King Nebuchadnezzar (נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר, Nevukhadnetzar): The powerful Babylonian emperor. His name, derived from Akkadian, means "Nabu, protect my eldest son/boundary stone." In biblical theology, despite his pagan identity and actions against God's people, he is portrayed as God's appointed "servant" (Jer 25:9, Jer 27:6), an instrument for divine judgment and for the subsequent shaping of God's redemptive plan. His dominion over Judah demonstrates God's sovereign control over nations.
- commanded (wayyo'mer, וַיֹּאמֶר): This word signifies a decree or direct order from a position of ultimate authority. It highlights the absolute power of the Babylonian king, contrasting subtly with the ultimate authority of God throughout the book.
- Ashpenaz (אַשְׁפְּנַז, ’Ashpənaz): A high-ranking court official. The name is likely Persian, though its exact meaning is debated ("horse lord," or "gift of Achaemenid fire-god"). His role signifies a trusted administrator.
- master of his eunuchs (שַׂר הַסָּרִיסִים, sar ha-sarisim): "Sar" means "chief" or "prince," and "sarisim" refers to "eunuchs" or, more broadly, high court officials. This title suggests a position of great trust and influence, as eunuchs often managed the king's household, treasury, and royal children. The selection of Ashpenaz implies the sensitive and critical nature of this task. For Jewish people, eunuch status (potential mutilation) was considered defiling (Deut 23:1), creating an immediate conflict and spiritual test.
- bring (lehabi’, לְהָבִיא): This simple verb indicates a mandatory, forceful bringing, not an invitation. It underscores the lack of choice for the captive Judeans.
- some of the people of Israel: This emphasizes selection. Not everyone from Israel, but specific individuals were chosen, indicating a deliberate strategy to recruit from the intellectual and social elite. It reveals a targeted assimilation policy rather than mass conscription.
- some of the royal family and of the nobility: This specific group signifies the top echelon of Judean society. Choosing those of high birth indicates Nebuchadnezzar's desire for the best and brightest minds, as well as his intent to disempower the existing Judean leadership by coopting or neutralising its potential future leaders. This move aimed to crush any future Jewish nationalism and foster loyalty to Babylon among the captive elite.
Daniel 1 3 Bonus section
The practice of taking young, promising individuals from conquered nations into the imperial court for training was a common strategy among ancient Near Eastern empires, including Assyria, Babylon, and Persia. It served multiple purposes: to display dominance, to integrate talent into the empire's administration, to foster loyalty, and to break the cultural ties of the elite. These individuals were essentially cultural hostages and future agents of imperial policy. For Daniel and his friends, this specific command marked the immediate start of their test, where their faithfulness would be tried not on a battlefield, but in the halls of power and intellectual indoctrination, challenging their worldview at its very foundations. The selection of youths "without blemish" (from the next verse) echoes sacrificial requirements (Lev 22:20-21) and could be seen as a polemic against pagan practices, presenting the best of Israel before the world power.
Daniel 1 3 Commentary
Daniel 1:3 initiates the narrative of the exiles in Babylon by immediately introducing King Nebuchadnezzar's powerful decree. This verse sets up a core tension of the book: God's people living under the dominion of a pagan world empire. The meticulous selection of young men from "the royal family and the nobility" reveals a deliberate strategy by Nebuchadnezzar. He was not merely collecting tribute or slaves; he was implementing a policy of assimilation aimed at stripping the brightest and most influential Judean youth of their cultural and religious identity and repurposing their potential for the service of Babylon. This scene encapsulates the collision between Babylonian imperial ambition and the enduring covenant faithfulness of God's chosen people. It demonstrates God's sovereignty, as He allowed and orchestrated these events (Jer 25:9) while simultaneously preserving a remnant and setting the stage for divine intervention. It highlights the early challenge Daniel and his friends would face in maintaining their integrity within a hostile cultural and spiritual environment.