Daniel 1:3-4

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:4

Children in whom was no blemish ,.... Not mere children, but young men of fifteen or twenty years of age; about which age Daniel is by Aben Ezra supposed to be when he was carried captive; and less than this be cannot well be thought to be, since, in a few years after, he was put into posts of the greatest eminence and importance: such were ordered to be selected that had no deformity or defect in any parts of their body, or wanted any, as an eye, or a hand, &c.; or, "in whom was not... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:4

Children - ילדים yeladim , youths, young men; and so the word should be rendered throughout this book. Skilled in all wisdom - Rather, persons capable of every kind of literary accomplishment, that they might be put under proper instruction. And as children of the blood and of the nobles mere most likely, from the care usually taken of their initiatory education, to profit most by the elaborate instruction here designed, the master of the eunuchs, the king's chamberlain, was... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:4

Verse 4 In yesterday’s Lecture we saw how the prefect or master of the eunuchs was commanded to bring up some noble youths, the offspring of the king and the elders; and Daniel now describes their qualities, according to Nebuchadnezzar’s order. They were youths, not so young as seven or eight years, but growing up, in whom there was no spot; that is, in whom there was no defect or unsoundness of body. They were also of beautiful aspect, meaning of ingenuous and open countenance, he adds also,... 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

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