Daniel 1:8 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 1:8-16

We observe here, very much to our satisfaction, I. That Daniel was a favourite with the prince of the eunuchs (Dan. 1:9), as Joseph was with the keeper of the prison; he had a tender love for him. No doubt Daniel deserved it, and recommended himself by his ingenuity and sweetness of temper (he was greatly beloved, Dan. 9:23); and yet it is said here that it was God that brought him into favour with the prince of the eunuchs, for every one does not meet with acceptance according to his merits.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:8

But Daniel purposed in his heart ,.... It being proposed to him to be brought up in the manner before described, he revolved it in his mind; he well weighed it, and considered it with himself, and came to a resolution about it. This is to be understood of him, not to the exclusion of his three companions, who were of the same mind with him, as appears by what follows; but perhaps it was first thought of by him; at least he first moved it to them, to which they consented; and because he was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:8

But Daniel - would not defile himself - I have spoken of this resolution in the introduction. The chief reasons why Daniel would not eat meat from the royal table were probably these three: - Because they ate unclean beasts, which were forbidden by the Jewish law. Because they ate, as did the heathens in general, beasts which had been strangled, or not properly blooded. 3. Because the animals that were eaten were first offered as victims to their gods. It is on this account that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:8

Verse 8 Here Daniel shows his endurance of what he could neither cast off nor escape; but meanwhile he took care that he did not depart from the fear of God, nor become a stranger to his race, but he always retains the remembrance of his origin, and remains a pure, and unspotted, and sincere worshipper of God. He says, therefore, —he determined in his heart not to pollute himself with the kings food and drink, and that he asked the prefect, under whose charge he was, that he should not be... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:5-21

Moral heroism. "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself" (verse 8). I. THE VARYING CONDITIONS OF IMMORTALITY . The reference is to subjective immortality, i.e. in the memories of men. The principal stable condition seems to be the possession of soul-power (see Luke 1:80 ; Luke 2:40 ). But this may develop itself: 1 . Evilly. The immortality then is one of infamy. 2 . Continuously ; e.g. Daniel, through a long life. 3 . Specially... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:8

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wins which he drank, therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. The Septuagint renders the first clause somewhat paraphrastically, "Daniel desired in his heart," led possibly to this by the more limited meaning assigned to "heart" in the psychology of ordinary Greek speech. Theodotion is, as usual, in close harmony with the Massoretic... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:8

A noble purpose the root of true renown. All real dignity has its beginning, not in ancestral fortune, but in righteous purpose. The heart is the seed-plot of all noble deeds. "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." I. THE COMMONEST MEAL FURNISHES AN OCCASION ON WHICH TO DEFILE OR DIGNIFY THE MAN . Then character is discovered. Then we see, as in a mirror, whether the higher nature or the lower is dominant. Some men live... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 1:8

But Daniel purposed in his heart - Evidently in concurrence with the youths who had been selected with him. See Daniel 1:11-13. Daniel, it seems, formed this as a “decided” purpose, and “meant” to carry it into effect, as a matter of principle, though he designed to secure his object, if possible, by making a request that he might be “allowed” to pursue that course Daniel 1:12, and wished not to give offence, or to provoke opposition. What would have been the result if he had not obtained... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 1:8

Daniel 1:8. But Daniel purposed that he would not defile himself The defilement here alluded to might arise either from the food being such as was prohibited in the law of Moses, or else what was offered to the idols of the Chaldees, or entreated to be blessed in their names: see 2 Corinthians 8:10; 2 Corinthians 8:20. With the portion of the king’s meat It was the custom of most nations, before their meals, to make an oblation of some part of what they ate and drank to their gods, as a... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 1:8-16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:3-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:5-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 1:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 1:8

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