So the steward continued to withhold their choice food
The steward, likely under the authority of Ashpenaz, the chief official, was responsible for the daily provisions of the young men in training. The "choice food" refers to the royal diet from King Nebuchadnezzar's table, which included meats and wines. This diet was considered luxurious and was meant to prepare the young men for service in the Babylonian court. The withholding of this food was a result of Daniel's request to avoid defiling himself with food that may have been offered to idols or not prepared according to Jewish dietary laws (Leviticus 11). This act of withholding demonstrates the steward's compliance with Daniel's faith-based decision, highlighting the favor Daniel found in the eyes of his overseers (Daniel 1:9).

and the wine they were to drink
Wine in ancient Babylon was a common part of the diet, often used in religious rituals and feasts. Daniel's abstention from the wine, like the food, was likely due to its association with idolatrous practices. This decision reflects a commitment to maintain purity and obedience to God's laws, even in a foreign land. The refusal of wine also prefigures the Nazarite vow, which included abstaining from wine (Numbers 6:1-4), and can be seen as a type of Christ, who also abstained from worldly indulgences to fulfill His mission (Matthew 11:19).

and he gave them vegetables instead
The term "vegetables" here can be understood broadly to include grains, legumes, and other plant-based foods. This diet aligns with the Jewish practice of eating foods that are clean and not associated with pagan rituals. The success of Daniel and his friends on this diet (Daniel 1:15) serves as a testament to God's provision and blessing. It also echoes the dietary laws given to Israel, emphasizing reliance on God rather than the opulence of Babylon. This choice of diet can be seen as a precursor to the spiritual discipline and fasting that Jesus practiced and taught (Matthew 4:2, Matthew 6:16-18).

1. Daniel
A young Hebrew man of noble lineage taken into Babylonian captivity. He is known for his unwavering faith and commitment to God.

2. Melzar
The steward appointed by the chief official to oversee Daniel and his friends during their training in Babylon.

3. Babylon
The empire that conquered Judah and took many Israelites, including Daniel, into exile.

4. The King's Table
Refers to the royal food and wine provided by King Nebuchadnezzar, which Daniel and his friends chose not to defile themselves with.

5. Vegetables and Water
The diet that Daniel and his friends requested to maintain their purity according to their faith.Faithfulness in Small Things
Daniel's decision to eat only vegetables and drink water demonstrates faithfulness in seemingly small matters, which God honors.

Courage to Stand Apart
Daniel and his friends showed courage by choosing a different path from their peers, reminding us to stand firm in our convictions.

God's Provision and Favor
Despite their unconventional diet, God provided for Daniel and his friends, showing that He honors those who honor Him.

Cultural Engagement with Integrity
Daniel's respectful request to Melzar shows that it is possible to engage with culture without compromising one's beliefs.

The Power of Influence
Daniel's faithfulness influenced those around him, including Melzar, highlighting the impact of a godly example.Top 10 Lessons from Daniel 1

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What is the Daniel Fast?Verse 16. - Thus Melzar took away the portion of their moat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. The Massoretic has the article here before "Melzar" - a fact that the Authorized does not indicate; the Revised renders more correctly, "the steward." The version of the Septuagint does not differ much from the Massoretic, only the word translated "that they should drink" is omitted; on the other hand, we have the verb δίδωμι (ἐδίδου) put in composition with ἀντί (ἀντεδίδου), "gave them instead," as if, in the text before the translator, the mem, which begins mishtayhem, had been put to the end of yayin, "wine," making it "their wine" - a construction which would be more symmetrical than the present. Only it is difficult to see how either tahath asher could be changed into shtayhem, or vice versa. The Septuagint translation suggests a simpler and more natural text - not a simplified one - therefore it is, on the whole, to be preferred. The careful word-for-word translation of the beginning of the verse renders it little likely that the translator would paraphrase at the end; c g. the word translated in our version "thus" is really veeay'he, "it was," and in the LXX. this is rendered η΅ν, "it was." Theodotion is in absolute agreement with the Massoretic text. The Peshitta calls the steward ma-nitzor, and renders the last clause, "and he gave to them seeds to eat, and water to drink," evidently borrowed from the twelfth verse. The result of the success of the experiment is that the youths are no more importuned to partake of the king's dainties. The steward, or the attendant who looked after their mess, supplied them with pulse. It has occurred to two commentators, widely separated from each other in point of time, that the consent of the "Melzar ' was all the more easily gained, that he could utilize the abstemiousness of these Hebrew youths to his own private advantage. Both Jephet-ibn-Ali in the beginning of the eleventh century, and Ewald in the middle of the nineteenth, maintain that the "Melzar' used to his own purposes, possibly sold, the portion of food and wine that the Hebrew youths abjured. Certainly the verb nasa means the lifting and carrying away, and suggests that every day the portions of food and wine were first carried to the table of these Hebrews, and then, after having been placed before them, were removed and pulse brought instead. When we think of it, some such process would have to take place. If it had been observed that one table was never supplied with a portion from the king's table, there might have been remarks made, and the "Melzar" would have fallen into disgrace with his sovereign, and the Hebrew youths would possibly have shared his disgrace. As to how the portions thus retained were disposed of, we need not be curious; there would, no doubt, be plenty of claimants for the broken victuals from the King of Babylon's table, without accusing the "Melzar" of dishonest motives. The fact that the verbs are in participle implies that henceforth it was the regular habit of the "Melzar" to remove from before the tour friends the royal dainties, and supply them instead with pulse. We have already referred to the word used for "pulse; ' it is here zayroneem, whereas in the twelfth verse it is zayroeem. Not impossibly in the verse before us we have another case of the original Aramaic shining through the translation; in the Peshitta the word is zer'oona, Whatever the word was, it seems certain that originally it was the same in both places, as in none of the versions is there any variation. It is not so impossible that originally the vocalization was different, and that the word was the ordinary word zer'aim, "seeds." This certainly is the translation of Theodotion.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Thus
וַיְהִ֣י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the steward
הַמֶּלְצַ֗ר (ham·mel·ṣar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4453: The butler, other officer in the Babylonian court

continued to withhold
נֹשֵׂא֙ (nō·śê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

their choice food
פַּתְבָּגָ֔ם (paṯ·bā·ḡām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6598: Portion, delicacies

and the wine
וְיֵ֖ין (wə·yên)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication

they were to drink,
מִשְׁתֵּיהֶ֑ם (miš·tê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4960: Drink, drinking, a banquet, feast

and he gave
וְנֹתֵ֥ן (wə·nō·ṯên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

them
לָהֶ֖ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

vegetables [instead].
זֵרְעֹנִֽים׃ (zê·rə·‘ō·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2235: Something sown, a vegetable


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OT Prophets: Daniel 1:16 So the steward took away their dainties (Dan. Da Dn)