Daniel 1.12-14-The Overseer Accepts Daniel's Proposal
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Tuesday January 3, 2012
Daniel: Daniel 1:12-14-The Overseer Accepts Daniel’s Proposal
Lesson # 17
Please turn in your Bibles to Daniel 1:1.
In Daniel 1:12-14, we see Daniel proposing to the overseer that he and his companions, eat only vegetables and drink only water during a ten day period.
At the completion of this period, he proposes that the overseer compare their appearance and health with the appearance and health of those who ate the king’s food and drank his wine.
Daniel proposes that based upon this comparison, he is to make a decision as to whether or not he and his friends can abstain from the king’s food and drink or not.
Daniel 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, 4 youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king’s court; and he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 The king appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service. 6 Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach and to Azariah Abed-nego. 8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials. 10 and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.” 11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.” (NASB95)
“Please test your servants for ten days” is composed of the second person masculine singular piel active imperative form of the verb nā∙sā(h) (נָסָה) (naw-saw), “test” and this is followed by the emphatic interjection nā(ʾ) (נָא) (naw), “please” and then we have the object marker ʾēṯ (אֵת) (ayth), which is not translated and then we have the masculine plural construct form of the noun ʿě∙ḇěḏ (עֶבֶד) (eh-bed), “servants” and this is followed by the second person masculine singular pronomial suffix ʾǎt∙tā(h) (אַתָּה) (at-taw), “your” and then we have the masculine plural form of the noun yôm (יוֹם) (yome), “days” which is modified by the feminine singular form of the number ʿǎśā∙rā(h) (עֲשָׂרָה) (as-aw-raw), “ten.”
The verb nā∙sā(h) denotes that Daniel is proposing that the overseer conduct a test or a trial period of ten days in which Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah can demonstrate that eating only vegetables and drinking only water will not injure their health or adversely affect their appearances.
The particle of entreaty nā(ʾ) is a marker of emphasis expressing the urgency and the intensity of Daniel’s request.
The noun ʿě∙ḇěḏ means “slave” and describes Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah as the “slaves” or “servants” of the Babylonian overseer.
“And let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink” is composed of the conjunction wa (וְ) (waw), “and” which is followed by the third person masculine plural qal active jussive form of the verb nā∙ṯǎn (נָתַן) (naw-than), “let be given” and then we have the preposition lĕ (לְ) (lamed), “to” and its object is the first person plural pronomial suffix ʾǎnǎḥ∙nû (אֲנַחְנוּ) (an-akh-noo), “us” which is followed by the preposition min (מִן) (min), “some” and its object is the articular masculine plural form of the noun zē∙rûaʿ (זֵרוּעַ) (zay-roo-ah), “vegetables” and then we have the conjunction wa (וְ) (waw), “to” which is followed by the first person plural qal active cohortative form of the verb ʾā∙ḵǎl (אָכַל) (aw-kal), “eat” and then we have the conjunction wa (וְ) (waw), “and” which is followed by the masculine plural form of the noun mǎ∙yim (מַיִם) (mah-yim), “water” and then we have the conjunction wa (וְ) (waw), “to” which is followed by the first person plural qal active cohortative form of the verb šā∙ṯā(h) (שָׁתָה) (shaw-thaw), “drink.”
This statement is a temporal clause indicating that “during” the period of ten days Daniel is proposing that the overseer provide him and Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah with only vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Daniel 1:13 “Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.” (NASB95)
“Then let our appearance be observed in your presence” is composed of the conjunction wa (וְ) (waw), “then” which is followed by the third person masculine plural niphal passive jussive form of the verb rā∙ʾā(h) (רָאָה) (raw-aw), “let be observed” and then we have the preposition lĕ (לְ) (lamed), “in” and its object is the masculine plural construct form of the noun pā∙ně(h) (פָּנֶה) (paw-neh), “presence” which is modified by the second masculine singular pronomial suffix ʾǎt∙tā(h) (אַתָּה) (at-taw), “your” and this is followed by the masculine singular construct form of the noun mǎr∙ʾě(h) (מַרְאֶה) (mar-eh), “appearance” which is modified by the first person plural pronomial suffix ʾǎnǎḥ∙nû (אֲנַחְנוּ) (an-akh-noo), “our.”
The verb rā∙ʾā(h) means “to observe,” i.e. look carefully or inspect the appearance of these four young Israelite men for the purpose of comparing their appearance with those young Israelite men who ate Nebuchadnezzar’s food and drink.
“And the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food” is composed of the conjunction wa (וְ) (waw), “and” which is followed by the masculine singular construct form of the noun mǎr∙ʾě(h) (מַרְאֶה) (mar-eh), “appearance” which is modified by the articular masculine plural form of the noun yě∙lěḏ (יֶלֶד) (yeh-led), “the youths” and then we have the articular masculine plural qal active participle form of the verb ʾā∙ḵǎl (אָכַל) (aw-kal), “who are eating” and this is followed by the object marker ʾēṯ (אֵת) (ayth), which is not translated but is marking the masculine singular construct form of the noun pǎṯ-∙bǎḡ (פַּת־בַּג) (pathpag), “choice food” as the direct object of the verb ʾā∙ḵǎl and then we have the articular masculine singular form of the noun mě∙lěḵ (מֶלֶךְ) (meh-lek), “the king’s.”
The noun yě∙lěḏ is in the masculine gender and is plural in number and means “young men” referring to adult males who were of royal descent and from Jewish nobility who were between their late teens and early twenties.
The noun pǎṯ-∙bǎḡ means “a portion (of food)” and describes Nebuchadnezzar’s food as being of excellent quality.
“And deal with your servants according to what you see” is composed of the conjunction wa (וְ) (waw), “and” which is followed by the preposition k- (ךְּ־) (kee), “according to” and then we have relative particle ʾǎšěr (אֲשֶׁר) (ash-er), “what” which is followed by the second masculine singular qal active imperfect form of the verb rā∙ʾā(h) (רָאָה) (raw-aw), “you see” and then we have the second masculine singular qal active imperative form of the verb ʿā∙śā(h) (עָשָׂה) (aw-saw), “deal” which is followed by the preposition ʿim (עִם) (eem), “with” and its object is the masculine plural construct form of the noun ʿě∙ḇěḏ (עֶבֶד) (eh-bed), “servants” which is modified by the second person masculine singular pronomial suffix ʾǎt∙tā(h) (אַתָּה) (at-taw), “your.”
This statement is a result clause that presents the result of the previous statement indicating that “as a result of” observing the appearance of Daniel and his friends along with the appearance of those adhering to the diet prescribed by the king, the overseer can deal with Daniel and his friends accordingly or as he sees fit.
The verb ʿā∙śā(h) means “to deal” in the sense of taking action with regards to someone and refers to the overseer taking action after a ten day trial period.
Daniel 1:14 So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days. (NASB95)
Verse 14 is composed of the conjunction wa (וְ) (waw), “so” which is followed by the third person masculine singular qal active imperfect form of the verb šā∙mǎʿ (שָׁמַע) (shaw-mah), “he listened” which is followed by the preposition lĕ (לְ) (lamed), “to” and its object is the third person masculine plural pronomial suffix -hē∙mā(h) (־הֵמָה) (hay-maw), “them” and then we have the preposition lĕ (לְ) (lamed), “in” and its object is the articular masculine singular form of the noun dā∙ḇār (דָּבָר) (daw-bawr), “matter” and then we have the articular masculine singular form of the demonstrative pronoun zě(h) (זֶה) (zeh), “this” and then we have the conjunction wa (וְ) (waw), “and” which is followed by the third person masculine singular piel active imperfect form of the verb nā∙sā(h) (נָסָה) (naw-saw), “tested” and then we have the third person masculine plural pronomial suffix -hē∙mā(h) (־הֵמָה) (hay-maw), “them” and this is followed by the masculine plural form of the noun yôm (יוֹם) (yome), “days” which is modified by the feminine singular form of the number ʿǎśā∙rā(h) (עֲשָׂרָה) (as-aw-raw), “ten.”
This statement is a result clause indicating that “as a result of” hearing Daniel’s proposal, the overseer agreed to accept it, thus Daniel and his companions ate only vegetables and drank only water for the next ten days.
The verb šā∙mǎʿ means “to agree” in the sense that the overseer accepted Daniel’s proposal to eat only vegetables and drink only water for a ten day period.
The noun dā∙ḇār means “proposal” since it is referring to what Daniel said to the overseer in verses 12 and 13, which the overseer accepted.
So in Daniel 1:12-14, we have the record of Daniel presenting a proposal to the overseer who was subordinate to Ashpenaz.
In verse 12, Daniel requests a ten day trial period in which he, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah would eat only vegetables and drink only water.
Then, in verse 13, Daniel proposes to the overseer that after this period, he could compare their appearance with the appearance of those young Israelite men who adhere to the diet prescribed by Nebuchadnezzar.
The overseer could determine at that time if this diet of vegetables and water would cause their appearances to look worse than those young Israelite men who adhered to the diet prescribed by Nebuchadnezzar.
The overseer could determine if the health of Daniel and his friends was better than the health of those who adhered to the king’s prescribed diet.
Ashpenaz’s subordinate would pass along Daniel’s suggestion.
Verse 14 records that the overseer granted this request.
This decision would have had Ashpenaz’s blessing since again the subordinate would not want to take the chance of this suggested diet failing and his superior seeing Daniel and his friends looking worse than the other young Israelites in the training program.
Now, verse 15 records that after this ten day period, Daniel and his three friends possessed a healthier appearance than the other young men who ate and drank from the king’s table.
Thus, in verse 16, we see the overseer continuing to keep Daniel and his friends on a diet of vegetables and water.
This decision would of course been passed down from Ashpenaz.
Therefore, Daniel’s suggestion in verses 12 and 13 does not endanger Ashpenaz’s life.
From Ashpenaz’s perspective, if Daniel’s proposed test fails, then he could keep Daniel on the diet prescribed by the king.
However, from Daniel’s perspective, his suggested diet gives God an opportunity to intervene in his life since the only way it could succeed is if God intervenes.
Daniel knew that God wanted him to obey the dietary regulations of the Mosaic Law and keep himself ceremonially pure.
He also knew that God wanted Ashpenaz to respect Nebuchadnezzar’s authority since this is God’s will for all mankind that they obey all those in authority like Nebuchadnezzar as taught by Paul in Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:17.
So God does not want Daniel to disobey him and Ashpenaz to disobey Nebuchadnezzar.
Thus, in order for both men to obey Him, God Himself would have to intervene in this situation and he does.
Remember, Daniel 1:9 records that because Daniel was determined to keep the dietary regulations of the Mosaic Law, God caused him to receive kindness from Ashpenaz in the form of merciful acts.
One of these merciful acts was Ashpenaz allowing this test to take place, which allowed God to intervene on behalf of Daniel.
Therefore, Daniel 1:11-16 teaches that God intervenes on behalf of His children who are obedient even if they are under the rule of a pagan ruler like Daniel was.
Daniel’s proposal to the overseer demonstrates his great faith in the Lord.
His desire to obey the dietary regulations of the Mosaic Law demonstrates that he was listening to the voice of God the Holy Spirit in the Mosaic Law.
In verse 8, we see him determined to obey the dietary regulations of the Mosaic Law, which expresses his faith in the Lord.
Daniel trusts God’s word even though it could have resulted in his death.
He is obedient regardless of the consequences.
His circumstances seemed impossible and even frightening to him undoubtedly and unknown but he obeyed God nonetheless.
He trusted that God would do what is right and what was best for him in Babylon.
He knew that God wanted him to obey these dietary regulations and keep himself ceremonially pure but the circumstances in Babylon made this virtually impossible.
Thus, Daniel knew that God would have to intervene on behalf of himself and his three companions, if they were to keep themselves ceremonially pure.
