Daniel 1:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 1:1-7

We have in these verses an account, I. Of the first descent which Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, made upon Judah and Jerusalem, in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, and his success in that expedition (Dan. 1:1, 2): He besieged Jerusalem, soon made himself master of it, seized the king, took whom he pleased and what he pleased away with him, and then left Jehoiakim to reign as tributary to him, which he did about eight years longer, but then rebelled,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:3

And the king spake unto Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs ,.... That is, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon spake to this officer of his, whose name was Ashpenaz; which, according to Saadiah, signifies a man of an angry countenance; but Hillerus F5 Onomast. Sacr. p. 752,753. derives it from the Arabic word "schaphan", as designing one that excels in wit and understanding; for which reason he might have the command of the eunuchs, many of which the eastern princes had about them,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:3

Master of his eunuchs - This word eunuchs signifies officers about or in the palace whether literally eunuchs or not. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:3

Verse 3 Here Daniel pursues his narrative, and shows the manner in which he was led away together with his companions. The king had demanded young men to be brought, not from the ordinary multitude, but from the principal nobility, who stood before him, that is, ministered to him. Hence, we ascertain why Daniel and his companions were chosen, because they were noble young men and of the royal seed, or at least of parents who surpassed others in rank. The king did this purposely to show himself... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:1-4

Administration serving and served. "And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs," etc. The introduction should perhaps clear up the chronology of Daniel 1:1 ; give succinctly the history of the deportation to Babylon; and describe the temple of Bel, in which the treasures were deposited (see Rawlinson's 'Anc. Mon.,' 3:343). After this, two topics demand attention. I. THE AIM OF GOVERNMENT . Nebuchadnezzar had an eye for intellectual wealth as well as material.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:1-7

EXPOSITION OCCASION OF DANIEL BEING IN BABYLON . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:3-4

And the king spoke unto Ash-penaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. The version of the LXX . here becomes important: "And the king... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:3-21

Training for imperial office and work. The name and the nature of a king are not always yoked together. Jehoiakim had been professedly a king, but was, in truth, a slave. Daniel and his companions, though led into exile as captives, had within them kingly qualities, which could not be degraded by strangers. As living water from the flinty rock will rise through every kind of strata, and find its way to the surface, so, through all adversities, innate nobleness will assert its imperial... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 1:3

And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs - On the general reasons which may have influenced the king to make the selection of the youths here mentioned, see the analysis of the chapter. Of Ashpenaz, nothing more is known than is stated here. Eunuchs were then, as they are now, in constant employ in the harems of the East, and they often rose to great influence and power. A large portion of the slaves employed at the courts in the East, and in the houses of the wealthy, are... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 1:3-4

Daniel 1:3-4 . And the king spake unto Ashpenaz, master of the eunuchs One of the chief officers of his palace; the officers that attended about the persons of the eastern kings being commonly eunuchs, (a custom still practised in the Ottoman court,) such being employed as guardians over the women which the kings kept for their pleasure. That he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and, or rather, even, of the king’s seed The conjunction copulative being often used by way... read more

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