Daniel 1:6 kjv

Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

Daniel 1:6 nkjv

Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

Daniel 1:6 niv

Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

Daniel 1:6 esv

Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah.

Daniel 1:6 nlt

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah.

Daniel 1 verses

Daniel 1 6 Meaning

Daniel chapter 1 verse 6 identifies the four specific young men who were among the elite captives taken from Judah to Babylon: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. It also highlights their shared lineage from the tribe of Judah, establishing their Israelite identity within a foreign land.

Daniel 1 6 Context

This verse places the specific individuals—Daniel and his three friends—into the narrative. Chapter 1 describes Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Jerusalem, bringing select vessels from the Temple and, more importantly, choosing an elite group of young men from among the captives to be trained in Babylonian wisdom and culture for three years. This was part of Nebuchadnezzar's assimilation strategy. Verse 6 directly follows the criteria for selection (unblemished, good-looking, wise, knowledgeable, discerning, and capable) and precedes the significant event of their names being changed to pagan ones, symbolizing an attempt to strip them of their Hebrew identity. Historically, this aligns with the first deportation of Judah's exiles to Babylon in 605 BC, during the reign of King Jehoiakim, initiating the 70-year captivity prophesied by Jeremiah.

Daniel 1 6 Word analysis

• Among these: Refers to the select group described in verse 4: "young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king's palace." This emphasizes Daniel and his friends' exceptional qualities, not merely their identity.
• were Daniel (דָּנִיֵּאל - Daniyyel): "God is my Judge." This Hebrew name declares a theological truth directly counter to their new Babylonian context, where a foreign king or deities would seemingly judge. It points to God's ultimate sovereignty and judgment.
• Hananiah (חֲנַנְיָה - Ḥananyah): "Yah (the Lord) has been gracious" or "The Lord is gracious." This name reminds them, and us, of God's unwavering grace and faithfulness even amidst judgment and exile, offering hope.
• Mishael (מִישָׁאֵל - Mîshā’ēl): "Who is what God is?" or "Who is like God?" This is a rhetorical question that functions as a strong polemic against the numerous gods of Babylon, asserting the incomparable uniqueness and supremacy of the God of Israel.
• and Azariah (עֲזַרְיָה - ‘Azaryah): "Yah (the Lord) has helped" or "The Lord is my Helper." This name testifies to God's intervention and assistance, foreseeing His aid for them in a challenging foreign environment. All four original names powerfully proclaim core truths about Yahweh, the God of Israel.
• from the tribe of Judah: This is significant.
  • Royal Tribe: Judah was the tribe from which the kings of David's lineage came (Gen 49:10). This indicates they were likely of noble or possibly even royal descent (cf. Dan 1:3).
  • Covenantal Identity: It connects them directly to God's covenant promises, especially concerning the Davidic line, which was meant to endure (2 Sam 7:16).
  • Remnant: It emphasizes their role as part of a faithful remnant from the very core of Israel, chosen by God's providence to preserve His witness in exile.

Daniel 1 6 Bonus section

• The deliberate listing of their full Hebrew names (rather than immediately transitioning to their Babylonian names as in Dan 1:7) emphasizes their pre-Babylonian identity rooted in their faith and heritage.
• Nebuchadnezzar's selection criteria (Dn 1:4) reflect the ancient Near Eastern practice of gathering the intelligentsia and elite from conquered territories. By training them in the conqueror's culture and language, the empire ensured stability and effective administration. This made Daniel and his friends key targets for assimilation.
• The persistence of the divine name "Yah" (YHWH) in "Hananiah," "Mishael," and "Azariah," and the explicit reference to "El" (God) in "Daniel," would have been a daily, internal reminder of their allegiance to the Lord. This contrasts sharply with the idolatrous connotations of their subsequent Babylonian names (Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-Nego).

Daniel 1 6 Commentary

Daniel 1:6 serves as a critical introduction to the main characters of the book, establishing their identity and setting the stage for the dramatic conflicts to come. The verse highlights that these four were among the "best and brightest" taken by Nebuchadnezzar. Their Hebrew names are profoundly theological statements, subtly asserting the supremacy and attributes of the true God in contrast to the pagan backdrop of Babylon. Their origin from the tribe of Judah underscores their heritage within God's chosen people, connecting them to the covenant lineage and implicitly suggesting their royal or noble status. This seemingly simple verse thus foreshadows their steadfast loyalty to God in a foreign land and their pivotal role in God's redemptive plan amidst exile. It is an initial declaration of God's hand preserving a faithful few, even when Israel's kingdom lies in ruins.