Daniel 1:16
Daniel 1:16 in Multiple Translations
So the steward continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and he gave them vegetables instead.
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.
So the keeper regularly took away their meat and the wine which was to have been their drink, and gave them grain.
After that the guard didn't give them the rich food and wine, just vegetables.
Thus Melzar tooke away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drinke, and gaue them pulse.
And the Meltzar is taking away their portion of food, and the wine of their drink, and is giving to them vegetables.
So the steward took away their delicacies and the wine that they were given to drink, and gave them vegetables.
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their food, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.
So Malasar took their portions, and the wine that they should drink: and he gave them pulse.
So after that, the guard gave us only vegetables to eat; he did not give us the king’s special food and wine.
Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 1:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Daniel 1:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִ֣י
הַ/מֶּלְצַ֗ר
נֹשֵׂא֙
אֶת
פַּתְבָּגָ֔/ם
וְ/יֵ֖ין
מִשְׁתֵּי/הֶ֑ם
וְ/נֹתֵ֥ן
לָ/הֶ֖ם
זֵרְעֹנִֽים
וַ/יְהִ֣י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/מֶּלְצַ֗ר
meltsâr
H4453
`steward`
Art | N-ms
נֹשֵׂא֙
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
V-Qal
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
פַּתְבָּגָ֔/ם
pathbag
H6598
choice
N-ms | Suff
וְ/יֵ֖ין
yayin
H3196
wine
Conj | N-ms
מִשְׁתֵּי/הֶ֑ם
mishteh
H4960
feast
N-ms | Suff
וְ/נֹתֵ֥ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal
לָ/הֶ֖ם
Prep | Suff
זֵרְעֹנִֽים
zêrôaʻ
H2235
vegetable
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Daniel 1:16
וַ/יְהִ֣י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
הַ/מֶּלְצַ֗ר
meltsâr
H4453
"`steward`"
Art | N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to a high-ranking officer in a royal court, like a steward or butler. The man named Melzar in Daniel 1:11 is an example of this role.
Definition: guardian, an officer of the court or Melzar - a man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Dan.1.11; also translated "steward";
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Melzar. See also: Daniel 1:11; Daniel 1:16.
נֹשֵׂא֙
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
פַּתְבָּגָ֔/ם
pathbag
H6598
"choice"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word describes a special portion of food, like a king's delicacy. It is used to describe the best food, set aside for important people like royalty.
Definition: portion of food for king, delicacies
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: portion (provision) of meat. See also: Daniel 1:5; Daniel 1:15; Daniel 11:26.
וְ/יֵ֖ין
yayin
H3196
"wine"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for wine, 'yayin', refers to fermented wine and its effects, including intoxication. It is often mentioned in the Bible in the context of banquets and feasts, such as in the book of Esther.
Definition: wine
Usage: Occurs in 134 OT verses. KJV: banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber). See also: Genesis 9:21; Proverbs 20:1; Psalms 60:5.
מִשְׁתֵּי/הֶ֑ם
mishteh
H4960
"feast"
N-ms | Suff
A mishteh is a feast or banquet, often involving drinking and celebration, like the ones described in Esther and other biblical stories.
Definition: 1) feast, drink, banquet 1a) feast, banquet 1b) drink Aramaic equivalent: mish.teh (מִשְׁתֶּה "feast" H4961)
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: banquet, drank, drink, feast((-ed), -ing). See also: Genesis 19:3; Esther 5:14; Proverbs 15:15.
וְ/נֹתֵ֥ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לָ/הֶ֖ם
""
Prep | Suff
זֵרְעֹנִֽים
zêrôaʻ
H2235
"vegetable"
N-mp
This term means vegetables or plants grown for food, as in Daniel 1:12 where Daniel eats only vegetables. It highlights the importance of simple, wholesome food.
Definition: vegetables (as sown) Also means: zar.on (זֵֽרְעֹן "vegetable" H2235B)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: pulse. See also: Daniel 1:12; Daniel 1:16.
Study Notes — Daniel 1:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Daniel 1:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Daniel 1:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 1:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 1:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 1:16
- Cambridge Bible on Daniel 1:16
- Barnes' Notes on Daniel 1:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 1:16
- Sermons on Daniel 1:16
Context — Daniel’s Faithfulness
14So he consented to this and tested them for ten days.
15And at the end of ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than all the young men who were eating the king’s food.
16So the steward continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and he gave them vegetables instead.
17To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams. 18Now at the end of the time specified by the king, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 1:12 | “Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink. |
Daniel 1:16 Summary
This verse shows that the steward decided to give Daniel and his friends vegetables instead of the king's food because they were healthier and more nourished after eating them. This was a result of their obedience to God's commands, such as those found in Leviticus 11:1-47 and Deuteronomy 14:3-21. By following God's laws, Daniel and his friends were blessed with good health and knowledge, as seen in Daniel 1:17. We can learn from their example by seeking to obey God's commands in our own lives, even if it means going against the norms of the world, and trusting that He will provide for us and bless us, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the steward decide to give Daniel and his friends vegetables instead of the king's food?
The steward decided to give them vegetables because he saw that they looked healthier and better nourished after just ten days of eating them, as stated in Daniel 1:15, and this was likely a result of their obedience to God's commands, such as those found in Leviticus 11:1-47 and Deuteronomy 14:3-21.
What is the significance of the steward withholding the choice food and wine from Daniel and his friends?
The steward's decision to withhold the choice food and wine was a result of Daniel's initial request in Daniel 1:8, which showed his commitment to following God's laws and commands, and it ultimately led to their good health and God-giving them knowledge and understanding, as seen in Daniel 1:17.
How does this verse relate to the concept of dietary laws in the Bible?
This verse relates to the concept of dietary laws in the Bible, such as those found in Leviticus 11:1-47 and Deuteronomy 14:3-21, which provide guidelines for what foods are acceptable for God's people to eat, and Daniel's decision to follow these laws ultimately led to his and his friends' blessing and success, as seen in Daniel 1:17-20.
What can we learn from the steward's actions in this verse?
We can learn from the steward's actions that sometimes, it is beneficial to make decisions that align with God's will, even if they go against the norms of the world, and that obedience to God's commands can lead to blessings, as seen in Daniel 1:17 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can apply the principle of obedience to God's commands in my own life, even if it means going against the norms of the world?
- How can I trust that God will provide for me and bless me when I make decisions that align with His will, even if they are difficult or unpopular?
- What are some areas of my life where I need to seek God's guidance and wisdom, and how can I apply the principles found in Daniel 1:16-20 to those areas?
- How can I, like Daniel and his friends, stand firm in my commitment to following God's laws and commands, even in the face of pressure or opposition from others?
Gill's Exposition on Daniel 1:16
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat,.... To himself, as the Syriac version adds; he took and carried it to his own family, and made use of it himself; and the portion of four such young
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 1:16
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 1:16
Which he could not but take well, for hereby he gained the costly provision of four men for the space of three years to his own use and profit. Hence observe that courtiers are no losers by the favours they procure for God’ s servants. They are most willing to serve God’ s servants when they can therein also serve themselves by it.
Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 1:16
Daniel 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.Ver. 16. Thus Melzar took away.] See on Daniel 1:14. And gave them pulse.] This slender diet was some help to their studies; for leaden bellies make leaden wits, saith the Greek Senary; and pinguis venter macra mens, saith Jerome, A fat belly maketh a lean mind. A body farced with delicious meats and drinks unfitteth a man for divine contemplation. γαστηρπαχειαλεπτονουτικτεινοον.
Cambridge Bible on Daniel 1:16
16. And the melẓ ?ar continued taking away their delicacies, … and giving them vegetable food] The Heb. idiom employed implies that the treatment which they received was now continuous.
Barnes' Notes on Daniel 1:16
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat ... - Doubtless permanently.
Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 1:16
9-16. The Rab-saris objected to the proposed change of diet — to pulse (vegetables) and water — out of “favor and compassion” for Daniel (Daniel 1:9, R.V.), and for fear of his own life if the boys
Sermons on Daniel 1:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Men God Made) Daniel by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of fasting and its importance in the Christian faith. The speaker emphasizes that fasting is not just about abstaining from food, |
|
Daniel and His Times by Sir Robert Anderson | Sir Robert Anderson delves into the life of the prophet Daniel, highlighting his unique role as a recipient of divine revelations rather than an inspired prophet. Daniel, living in |