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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Daniel 1:16 So the steward continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and he gave them vegetables instead.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/daniel/1-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/27_Dan_01_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Daniel 1:16 - Daniel's Faithfulness" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So the steward continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and he gave them vegetables instead." /><script 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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/daniel/1-15.htm" title="Daniel 1:15">◄</a> Daniel 1:16 <a href="/daniel/1-17.htm" title="Daniel 1:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/daniel/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/daniel/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/daniel/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/daniel/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/daniel/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the steward continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and he gave them vegetables instead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/daniel/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/daniel/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/daniel/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/daniel/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/daniel/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/daniel/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/daniel/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So the overseer continued to withhold their fine food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/daniel/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the guard continued to remove their food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/daniel/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the guard continued to remove their food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/daniel/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/daniel/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />After this, the guard let them eat vegetables instead of the rich food and wine. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/daniel/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />So the steward took away their meat, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/daniel/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So the supervisor took away the king's rich food and wine and gave them vegetables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/daniel/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So from then on the guard let them continue to eat vegetables instead of what the king provided. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/daniel/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So the guard took away their rich food and wine, giving them vegetables. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/daniel/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So the steward continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and he gave them vegetables instead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/daniel/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So the warden removed the delicacies and the wine from their diet and gave them a diet of vegetables instead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/daniel/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />So the steward took away their royal food, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them vegetables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/daniel/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thus Melzar took away the portion of their food, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/daniel/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />So the steward took away their delicacies and the wine that they were given to drink, and gave them vegetables. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/daniel/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the Meltzar is taking away their portion of food, and the wine of their drink, and is giving to them vegetables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/daniel/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the Meltzar is taking away their portion of food, and the wine of their drink, and is giving to them vegetables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/daniel/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Melzar will be taking away their dainties, and the wine of their drinking, and he gave to them seed herbs.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/daniel/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So Malasar took their portions, and the wine that they should drink: and he gave them pulse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/daniel/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Thereafter, Malasar took away their portions and their wine for drinking, and he gave them roots.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/daniel/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So the steward continued to take away the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/daniel/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So the guard continued to withdraw their royal rations and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/daniel/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Thus Menezar took away the portion of their food and the wine that they should drink, and gave them vegetables to eat and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/daniel/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Mentsar was taking their provision for himself, and the wine that they drink, and he was giving them grains to eat and water to drink<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/daniel/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />So the steward took away their food, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/daniel/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />So Amelsad took away their supper and the wine of their drink, and gave them pulse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/daniel/1-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/shUZJK-vYxI?start=160" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/daniel/1.htm">Daniel's Faithfulness</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>And at the end of ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than all the young men who were eating the king’s food. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">So</a> <a href="/hebrew/4453.htm" title="4453: ham·mel·ṣar (Art:: N-ms) -- Perhaps guardian. Of Persian derivation; the butler or other officer in the Babylonian court.">the steward</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: nō·śê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">continued to withhold</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6598.htm" title="6598: paṯ·bā·ḡām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Portion, delicacies. Of Persian origin; a dainty.">their choice food</a> <a href="/hebrew/3196.htm" title="3196: wə·yên (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Wine. From an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine; by implication, intoxication.">and the wine</a> <a href="/hebrew/4960.htm" title="4960: miš·tê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- A feast, drink. From shathah; drink, by implication, drinking; also a banquet or feast.">they were to drink,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wə·nō·ṯên (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">and he gave</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/2235.htm" title="2235: zê·rə·‘ō·nîm (N-mp) -- Something sown, a vegetable. Or zerason; from zara'; something sown, i.e. A vegetable.">vegetables instead.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/39-21.htm">Genesis 39:21</a></span><br />the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-25.htm">Exodus 23:25</a></span><br />So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take away sickness from among you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6-7</a></span><br />Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/4-9.htm">Ezekiel 4:9-13</a></span><br />But take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt; put them in a single container and make them into bread for yourself. This is what you are to eat during the 390 days you lie on your side. / You are to weigh out twenty shekels of food to eat each day, and you are to eat it at set times. / You are also to measure out a sixth of a hin of water to drink, and you are to drink it at set times. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31-33</a></span><br />Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ / For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. / But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a></span><br />But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-29.htm">Luke 12:29-31</a></span><br />And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it. / For the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. / But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Romans 14:17</a></span><br />For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-31.htm">1 Corinthians 10:31</a></span><br />So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8</a></span><br />But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-17.htm">2 Corinthians 6:17</a></span><br />“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-19.htm">Philippians 4:19</a></span><br />And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-4.htm">1 Timothy 4:4-5</a></span><br />For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, / because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-24.htm">Hebrews 11:24-26</a></span><br />By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. / He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin. / He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them vegetables.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/daniel/1-15.htm">Choice</a> <a href="/ezekiel/41-7.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/daniel/1-15.htm">Dainties</a> <a href="/daniel/1-13.htm">Delicate</a> <a href="/daniel/1-12.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/daniel/1-15.htm">Food</a> <a href="/daniel/1-12.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/daniel/1-11.htm">Guard</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-8.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/daniel/1-11.htm">Keeper</a> <a href="/ezekiel/48-11.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/daniel/1-15.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/daniel/1-11.htm">Meltzar</a> <a href="/daniel/1-11.htm">Melzar</a> <a href="/daniel/1-11.htm">Overseer</a> <a href="/daniel/1-15.htm">Portion</a> <a href="/daniel/1-12.htm">Pulse</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-33.htm">Regularly</a> <a href="/daniel/1-15.htm">Rich</a> <a href="/daniel/1-11.htm">Steward</a> <a href="/daniel/1-12.htm">Vegetables</a> <a href="/daniel/1-8.htm">Wine</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-16.htm">Withhold</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/daniel/10-3.htm">Choice</a> <a href="/daniel/1-21.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/daniel/11-26.htm">Dainties</a> <a href="/daniel/11-26.htm">Delicate</a> <a href="/daniel/5-2.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/daniel/4-12.htm">Food</a> <a href="/hosea/2-8.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/daniel/2-14.htm">Guard</a> <a href="/daniel/8-8.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-15.htm">Keeper</a> <a href="/daniel/2-49.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/daniel/4-12.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/daniel/1-11.htm">Meltzar</a> <a href="/daniel/1-11.htm">Melzar</a> <a href="/daniel/6-3.htm">Overseer</a> <a href="/daniel/4-15.htm">Portion</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-28.htm">Pulse</a> <a href="/acts/2-46.htm">Regularly</a> <a href="/daniel/11-26.htm">Rich</a> <a href="/matthew/20-8.htm">Steward</a> <a href="/romans/14-2.htm">Vegetables</a> <a href="/daniel/5-1.htm">Wine</a> <a href="/haggai/1-10.htm">Withhold</a><div class="vheading2">Daniel 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/1-1.htm">Jehoiakim's captivity.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/1-3.htm">Ashpenaz takes Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/1-8.htm">They refusing the king's portion do prosper with pulse and water.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/daniel/1-17.htm">Their proficiency in wisdom.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/daniel/1.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>So the steward</b><br />The term "steward" refers to the official appointed by the Babylonian king to oversee the young captives from Judah, including Daniel and his friends. In Hebrew, the word used is "sar," which can mean prince, chief, or official. This highlights the hierarchical structure of the Babylonian court and the significant responsibility placed on this steward. Historically, this reflects the organized and bureaucratic nature of the Babylonian Empire, which was known for its administrative efficiency.<p><b>continued to withhold</b><br />The phrase indicates a sustained action, suggesting that the steward consistently refrained from giving Daniel and his friends the royal provisions. This decision was not a one-time event but a continuous practice, demonstrating the steward's compliance with Daniel's request. The Hebrew root here implies a deliberate and ongoing choice, reflecting Daniel's influence and the steward's willingness to accommodate their dietary convictions.<p><b>their choice food</b><br />The "choice food" refers to the rich and luxurious diet provided by the king's table, which included meats and delicacies. In the context of ancient Near Eastern cultures, such food was often associated with wealth, status, and sometimes idolatrous practices, as it could be offered to idols before consumption. Daniel's refusal of this food underscores his commitment to maintaining ritual purity and faithfulness to God's laws, even in a foreign land.<p><b>and the wine they were to drink</b><br />Wine, a common beverage in ancient Babylon, was often used in religious rituals and could symbolize indulgence and assimilation into Babylonian culture. By abstaining from the wine, Daniel and his friends were making a statement of resistance against cultural assimilation and a commitment to their distinct identity as followers of Yahweh. This act of abstinence is a powerful testament to their faith and discipline.<p><b>and he gave them vegetables instead</b><br />The term "vegetables" in Hebrew is "zeroim," which can also mean seeds or plants. This diet was likely simpler and more in line with Jewish dietary laws. The choice of vegetables symbolizes a return to a more natural and God-honoring way of living, reminiscent of the diet in the Garden of Eden. This decision reflects a reliance on God for sustenance and a rejection of the opulence and potential defilement associated with the king's food.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/daniel/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - 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 <span class="greek">δίδωμι</span> (<span class="greek">ἐδίδου</span>) put in composition with <span class="greek">ἀντί</span> (<span class="greek">ἀντεδίδου</span>), "gave them instead," as if, in the text before the translator, the <span class="accented">mem</span>, which begins <span class="accented">mishtayhem</span>, had been put to the end of <span class="accented">yayin</span>, "wine," making it "their wine" - a construction which would be more symmetrical than the present. Only it is difficult to see how either <span class="accented">tahath asher</span> could be changed into <span class="accented">shtayhem</span>, or vice <span class="accented">versa.</span> 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 <span class="accented">veeay'he</span>, "it was," and in the LXX. this is rendered <span class="greek">η΅ν</span>, "it was." Theodotion is in absolute agreement with the Massoretic text. The Peshitta calls the steward <span class="accented">ma</span>-<span class="accented">nitzor</span>, and renders the last clause, "<span class="accented">and</span> 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 <span class="accented">mess</span>, 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 <span class="accented">nasa</span> 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 "<span class="accented">Melzar"</span> 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 "<span class="accented">Melzar"</span> 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 "<span class="accented">pulse</span>; ' it is here <span class="accented">zayroneem</span>, whereas in the twelfth verse it is <span class="accented">zayroeem.</span> 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 <span class="accented">zer'oona</span>, 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 <span class="accented">zer'aim</span>, "seeds." This certainly is the translation of Theodotion. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/daniel/1-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Thus</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the steward</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּלְצַ֗ר</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mel·ṣar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4453.htm">Strong's 4453: </a> </span><span class="str2">The butler, other officer in the Babylonian court</span><br /><br /><span class="word">continued to withhold</span><br /><span class="heb">נֹשֵׂא֙</span> <span class="translit">(nō·śê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their choice food</span><br /><span class="heb">פַּתְבָּגָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(paṯ·bā·ḡām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6598.htm">Strong's 6598: </a> </span><span class="str2">Portion, delicacies</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the wine</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיֵ֖ין</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3196.htm">Strong's 3196: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wine, intoxication</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they were to drink,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁתֵּיהֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(miš·tê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4960.htm">Strong's 4960: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drink, drinking, a banquet, feast</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and he gave</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנֹתֵ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nō·ṯên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="heb">לָהֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">vegetables [instead].</span><br /><span class="heb">זֵרְעֹנִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(zê·rə·‘ō·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2235.htm">Strong's 2235: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something sown, a vegetable</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/daniel/1-16.htm">Daniel 1:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/daniel/1-16.htm">Daniel 1:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/daniel/1-16.htm">Daniel 1:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/daniel/1-16.htm">Daniel 1:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/daniel/1-16.htm">Daniel 1:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/daniel/1-16.htm">Daniel 1:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/daniel/1-16.htm">Daniel 1:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/daniel/1-16.htm">Daniel 1:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/daniel/1-16.htm">Daniel 1:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/daniel/1-16.htm">Daniel 1:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/daniel/1-16.htm">OT Prophets: Daniel 1:16 So the steward took away their dainties (Dan. 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