But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself.
Parallel translations
- WEB But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s dainties, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
- KJV But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
- NKJV But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
- NASB But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.
- NLT But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Daniel resolves not to defile himself with the king's food and wine, and tactfully seeks an alternative. His conviction shows faith expressed with both courage and wisdom.
Overview
The exact reason for Daniel's refusal is debated, possibly food offered to idols, violation of dietary law, or unwillingness to be wholly bound to the king's table, but the heart is clear: he 'purposed in his heart' to remain undefiled. Notably he does not rebel rudely but 'requested,' combining conviction with respect for authority. This verse models holy resolve that draws a line at compromise while seeking peaceable solutions.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 19
- Ps 141:4Do not let my heart be drawn to any evil thing or take part in works of wickedness with men who do iniquity; let me not feast on their delicacies.
- Lev 11:45–47For I am the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt so that I would be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.
- Ezek 4:13–14Then the LORD said, “This is how the Israelites will eat their defiled bread among the nations to which I will banish them.”
- 1 Cor 10:18–21Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?
- 1 Cor 7:37But the man who is firmly established in his heart and under no constraint, with control over his will and resolve in his heart not to marry the virgin, he will do well.
- Ps 119:115Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may obey the commandments of my God.
- Hos 9:3–4They will not remain in the land of the LORD; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.
- 1 Cor 8:7–10But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that they eat such food as if it were sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.
- Ps 119:106I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.
- Rom 14:15–17If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.
- Dan 1:5The king assigned them daily provisions of the royal food and wine. They were to be trained for three years, after which they were to enter the king’s service.
- 1 Cor 10:28–31But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience—
- Acts 11:23When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.
- 2 Cor 9:7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
- Acts 10:14–16“No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
- Deut 32:38which ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up and help you; let them give you shelter!
- Ps 106:28They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods.
- 1 Kgs 5:5So behold, I plan to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, according to what the LORD said to my father David: ‘I will put your son on your throne in your place, and he will build the house for My Name.’
- Ruth 1:17–18Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”
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Christ at the center
Daniel sees the stone cut without hands that shatters the kingdoms, and 'one like a son of man' given everlasting dominion — titles and visions Jesus claims as his own.
How Daniel 1:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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