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, a 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.
a γαστηρ παχεια λεπτον ου τικτει νοον .