King James Version

What Does Daniel 1:10 Mean?

Daniel 1:10 in the King James Version says “And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: fo... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. worse: Heb. sadder sort: or, term, or, continuance?

Daniel 1:10 · KJV


Context

8

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.

9

Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

10

And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. worse: Heb. sadder sort: or, term, or, continuance?

11

Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Melzar: or, the steward

12

Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. pulse: Heb. of pulse to eat: Heb. that we may eat, etc


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The prince of eunuchs' response reveals the tension between personal favor and professional duty. He fears 'my lord the king' seeing the youths worse than their peers, resulting in his own execution ('make me endanger my head'). This shows the real cost of standing for convictions—others risk consequences for helping us. His legitimate concern demonstrates that faith sometimes requires us to request what puts others at risk, requiring wisdom and genuine divine direction rather than presumption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern kings exercised absolute authority; failure in royal service often meant death. Court officials lived in constant fear of royal displeasure. Ashpenaz's concern was realistic—if Daniel's group appeared inferior after special dietary treatment, the king would view this as Ashpenaz's failure to properly train the hostages. Capital punishment for administrative failures was common in ancient empires.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Ashpenaz's legitimate fear challenge us to consider how our convictions might endanger others who help us?
  2. What wisdom do we need when our faith stance requires others to risk themselves on our behalf?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַיֹּ֜אמֶר1 of 29

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שַׂ֤ר2 of 29

And the prince

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַסָּרִיסִים֙3 of 29

of the eunuchs

H5631

a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state

לְדָ֣נִיֵּ֔אל4 of 29

unto Daniel

H1840

daniel or danijel, the name of two israelites

יָרֵ֤א5 of 29

I fear

H3373

fearing; morally, reverent

אֲנִי֙6 of 29
H589

i

אֶת7 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲדֹנִ֣י8 of 29

my lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

לַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃9 of 29

the king

H4428

a king

אֲשֶׁ֣ר10 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מִנָּ֔ה11 of 29

who hath appointed

H4487

properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll

אֶת12 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מַאֲכַלְכֶ֖ם13 of 29

your meat

H3978

an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)

וְאֶת14 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִשְׁתֵּיכֶ֑ם15 of 29

and your drink

H4960

drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast

אֲשֶׁ֡ר16 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לָמָּה֩17 of 29
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יִרְאֶ֨ה18 of 29

for why should he see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת19 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

פְּנֵיכֶ֜ם20 of 29

your faces

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

זֹֽעֲפִ֗ים21 of 29

worse liking

H2196

properly, to boil up, i.e., (figuratively) to be peevish or angry

מִן22 of 29
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַיְלָדִים֙23 of 29

than the children

H3206

something born, i.e., a lad or offspring

אֲשֶׁ֣ר24 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

כְּגִֽילְכֶ֔ם25 of 29

which are of your sort

H1524

a revolution (of time, i.e., an age); also joy

וְחִיַּבְתֶּ֥ם26 of 29

then shall ye make me endanger

H2325

properly, perhaps to tie, i.e., (figuratively and reflexively) to owe, or (by implication) to forfeit

אֶת27 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רֹאשִׁ֖י28 of 29

my head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

לַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃29 of 29

the king

H4428

a king


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 1:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 1:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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