Journey
Daniel in exile
Taken to Babylon as young men, Daniel and his friends keep faith under new names, new food and new kings.
People in this journey
Opening stop: New names in Babylon, Daniel 1:3
The book dates the capture of these young men to Jehoiakim's third year (Daniel 1:1). Isaiah had warned Hezekiah that sons of the royal house would serve as eunuchs in Babylon's palace (2 Kings 20:18). Joseph too was given a new name at a foreign court, Zaphnath-paaneah (Genesis 41:45). These names were not neutral. Nebuchadnezzar later says Daniel was called Belteshazzar after the name of his own god (Daniel 4:8). The Chaldeans whose tongue they learn turn up again beside the magicians, astrologers and sorcerers the king calls to read his dream (Daniel 2:2).
And the king spake unto Ashpenaz 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;
King James Version
In the third year of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon besieges Jerusalem. The narrator says the Lord gives Jehoiakim into his hand with part of the vessels of the house of God, which the king carries to the land of Shinar and puts in the treasure house of his god. Nebuchadnezzar orders Ashpenaz, master of his eunuchs, to bring in children of Israel of royal and noble stock, unblemished and skilful, to be taught the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans for three years on a daily provision of the king's meat and wine. Among them are Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah of the children of Judah, renamed Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. Daniel purposes not to defile himself with the king's meat or wine and asks the prince of the eunuchs to be excused; the prince fears for his head. Daniel then proposes to Melzar a ten-day test on pulse and water. At the end of ten days the four look fairer and fatter than the children who eat the king's portion, so Melzar removes the meat and wine. God gives the four knowledge and skill, and Daniel understanding in visions and dreams. Brought before Nebuchadnezzar, they are found ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in his realm. The chapter closes by saying Daniel continues to the first year of king Cyrus.
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This journey has 9 stops. The opening stop is free. Premium opens the rest of the guided path, and every Scripture chapter stays free to read.