Daniel 1:3,4 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The master—the king's seed— The prince—the royal seed: the Hebrew word for princes פרתמים partemim. Aquila and the LXX, as cited in Montfaucon's Hexapla, render it επιλεκτων, choice persons, and another Greek version ευγενων, noble, well-born; it seems a compound of the Persic פר per, from the Hebrew פאר peer, to be glorious, honourable; and תם tam, perfect; and so expresses the most honourable, or noble. Bishop Chandler observes, that the word פר or פאר enters into the composition of several names of the princes and nobles among the Medes and Persians, as Pharnaces, Pharnaspes, Pharnuchus, Phraortes, Phraates, Phradates, &c. See his Vindication, book 1: p. 58 and Parkhurst on the word פרתם. The prince of the eunuchs was directed to make choice of such persons as had the best accomplishments both of body and mind; as being the more fit to attend at court. The word ילדים ieladim, rendered children, does not extend to childhood, but refers to more advanced years; (comp. 2 Kings 2:23-24.) nor can we suppose Daniel or his companions to have been less than eighteen or twenty years of age at this time; as may be concluded from Daniel's being put into a considerable post and employment in the government soon after. Houbigant renders it, youths; and so it should be rendered throughout the chapter. Instead of, Skilful in all wisdom, Houbigant has it, apt, or fit to understand wisdom, to learn knowledge, and to attain science; for, says he, a knowledge and skill in all the sciences was not required in these young men, but only a facility to learn them; and it appears from the 17th verse, that they did learn letters and wisdom while they were educated under the prince of the eunuchs. Instead of, And whom they might teach, we may read, And that he should have them taught.