Daniel 1:13

13 Then[a] let our appearances and the appearance of the young men who are eating the fine food of the king be compared {before you},[b] and [then] deal with your servants {according to what you see}."[c]

Daniel 1:13 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 1:13

Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee
And be thoroughly examined, whether any alteration is made therein for the worse: and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the
king's meat;
who were either Chaldean youths brought up in this manner; or rather young men of the Jews, who were not so scrupulous as Daniel and his companions, and made no objection to eating the king's food; let their countenances and ours be compared together: and as thou seest deal with thy servants:
if there is no difference, or we are not the worse for abstaining from the king's meat, then grant us our request, and continue to indulge us in this manner; but, if otherwise, do as thou wilt. Daniel, no doubt, in putting the matter on this issue, as it should turn out at the end of ten days, had a revelation or assurance from God how it would be, or he would never have ventured to put it to such a trial.

Daniel 1:13 In-Context

11 Then Daniel asked the guard whom the commander of the court officials [had] appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 "Please test your servants [for] ten days, and let them give us {some of the vegetables}, and let us eat and let us drink water.
13 Then let our appearances and the appearance of the young men who are eating the fine food of the king be compared {before you}, and [then] deal with your servants {according to what you see}."
14 So he agreed to this proposal with them, and he tested them [for] ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their appearances appeared better and [they were] healthier of body than all the young men who were eating the fine food of the king.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Hebrew "And"
  • [b]. Literally "in your presence"
  • [c]. Literally "and according to/that you see"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.