Daniel 1:5 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat. It is usual for an eastern king to entertain, from the food of his table, many retainers and royal captives, as Evil-merodach king of Babylon entertained Jehoiachin king of Judah (Jeremiah 52:33-34). The Hebrew for "meat" х patbag (H6598)] implies delicacies, dainties-literally, the food that the father (i:e., the king) provides. The latter syllable of the word is of Persian origin. Lorsbach takes it, 'food for the gods.'

Stand before the king - as attendant courtiers; not as eunuchs.

Daniel 1:5

5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the winea which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.