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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 1:12 "Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/daniel/1-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/27_Dan_01_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Daniel 1:12 - Daniel's Faithfulness" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Please test your servants for ten days. 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Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/daniel/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/daniel/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/daniel/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Please put your servants to the test for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/daniel/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/daniel/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/daniel/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/daniel/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Please, test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/daniel/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/daniel/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Please test your servants for 10 days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/daniel/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/daniel/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"For the next ten days, let us have only vegetables and water at mealtime. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/daniel/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/daniel/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Please test us for ten days. Give us only vegetables to eat and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/daniel/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Test us for ten days," he said. "Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/daniel/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Please test your servants for ten days and let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/daniel/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/daniel/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Please test your servants for ten days by providing us with some vegetables to eat and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/daniel/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Test your servants for ten days; and let them give us vegetables to eat, and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/daniel/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/daniel/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Test your servants, I beg you, ten days; and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/daniel/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Please try your servants [for] ten days; and they give to us from the vegetables and we eat, and water, and we drink;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/daniel/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Try, I pray thee, thy servants, ten days; and they give to us of the vegetables, and we eat, and water, and we drink;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/daniel/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Prove now thy servants, ten days; and they shall give to us from seed herbs, and we will eat, and water, and we will drink.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/daniel/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Try, I beseech thee, thy servants for ten days, and let pulse be given us to eat, and water to drink: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/daniel/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“I beg you to test us, your servants, for ten days, and let roots be given to us to eat and water to drink,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/daniel/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/daniel/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/daniel/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Test your servants for ten days; and let them give us 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 />“Test your Servants ten days, and let them give us 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 />Try thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/daniel/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Prove now thy servants ten days; and let them give us pulse, and let us eat, and let us drink water:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/daniel/1-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/shUZJK-vYxI?start=127" 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">11</span>Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">“Please</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/5254.htm" title="5254: nas- (V-Piel-Imp-ms) -- To test, try. A primitive root; to test; by implication, to attempt.">test</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">your servants</a> <a href="/hebrew/6235.htm" title="6235: ‘ă·śā·rāh (Number-ms) -- Ten. Masculine of term aasarah; from asar; ten.">for ten</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mîm (N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wə·yit·tə·nū- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3mp) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">Let us be given</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">only</a> <a href="/hebrew/2235.htm" title="2235: haz·zê·rō·‘îm (Art:: N-mp) -- Something sown, a vegetable. Or zerason; from zara'; something sown, i.e. A vegetable.">vegetables</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: wə·nō·ḵə·lāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cp) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">to eat</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ū·ma·yim (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">and water</a> <a href="/hebrew/8354.htm" title="8354: wə·niš·teh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.h-1cp) -- To drink. A primitive root; to imbibe.">to drink.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>Then compare our appearances with those of the young men who are eating the royal food, and deal with your servants according to what you see.”…<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/1-29.htm">Genesis 1:29</a></span><br />Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/11-1.htm">Leviticus 11:1-47</a></span><br />The LORD spoke again to Moses and Aaron, telling them, / “Say to the Israelites, ‘Of all the beasts of the earth, these ones you may eat: / You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/4-9.htm">Ezekiel 4:9</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-1.htm">Proverbs 23:1-3</a></span><br />When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is set before you, / and put a knife to your throat if you possess a great appetite. / Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-2.htm">Romans 14:2-3</a></span><br />For one person has faith to eat all things, while another, who is weak, eats only vegetables. / The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him.<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="/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="/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20</a></span><br />Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Acts 15:29</a></span><br />You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3-5</a></span><br />They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. / 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="/matthew/4-2.htm">Matthew 4:2</a></span><br />After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Matthew 6:16-18</a></span><br />When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-14.htm">Matthew 9:14</a></span><br />Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-12.htm">Luke 18:12</a></span><br />I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-3.htm">Isaiah 58:3-7</a></span><br />“Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers. / You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today and have your voice be heard on high. / Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Prove your servants, I beseech you, ten days; and let them give us vegetables to eat, and water to drink.</p><p class="hdg">pulse to eat.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/1-16.htm">Daniel 1:16</a></b></br> Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/1-29.htm">Genesis 1:29,30</a></b></br> And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which <i>is</i> upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which <i>is</i> the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/8-3.htm">Deuteronomy 8:3</a></b></br> And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every <i>word</i> that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/lamentations/4-4.htm">Beg</a> <a href="/jeremiah/42-2.htm">Beseech</a> <a href="/daniel/1-10.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/ezekiel/45-21.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/ezekiel/46-20.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-8.htm">Please</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-23.htm">Prove</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-28.htm">Pulse</a> <a href="/daniel/1-11.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/ezekiel/48-18.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-40.htm">Test</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-26.htm">Try</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-17.htm">Vegetables</a> <a href="/ezekiel/47-8.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/amos/7-2.htm">Beg</a> <a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Beseech</a> <a href="/daniel/1-16.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/daniel/1-13.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/daniel/1-16.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/daniel/9-16.htm">Please</a> <a href="/micah/1-14.htm">Prove</a> <a href="/daniel/1-16.htm">Pulse</a> <a href="/daniel/1-13.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/daniel/1-14.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/daniel/1-14.htm">Test</a> <a href="/daniel/7-25.htm">Try</a> <a href="/daniel/1-16.htm">Vegetables</a> <a href="/hosea/2-3.htm">Water</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 /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/daniel/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/daniel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/daniel/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Please test your servants for ten days.</b><br>In this phrase, Daniel is speaking to the chief official in Babylon, requesting a trial period to prove the efficacy of a diet that aligns with Jewish dietary laws. The number ten often symbolizes completeness or a period of testing in the Bible, as seen in <a href="/genesis/24-55.htm">Genesis 24:55</a> and <a href="/revelation/2-10.htm">Revelation 2:10</a>. Daniel's request reflects his faith in God's provision and his commitment to maintaining purity according to the Law of Moses, despite being in a foreign land. This act of faith and obedience sets a precedent for believers to trust God in challenging circumstances.<p><b>Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink.</b><br>Daniel's proposal to consume only vegetables and water is significant in the context of maintaining ritual purity. The Hebrew term for "vegetables" can also include grains and legumes, which were considered clean foods. This diet contrasts with the royal food and wine, which may have been offered to idols or not prepared according to Jewish dietary laws. Daniel's choice underscores the importance of holiness and separation from pagan practices. This act of dietary discipline can be seen as a type of Christ, who lived a life of perfect obedience and separation from sin. Daniel's faithfulness in small matters foreshadows the greater faithfulness of Jesus, who fulfilled the law perfectly.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/daniel.htm">Daniel</a></b><br>A young Hebrew man of noble lineage taken into Babylonian captivity. He is known for his unwavering faith and wisdom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a></b><br>The empire that conquered Judah and took many Israelites, including Daniel, into exile. It was a center of power and culture.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_nebuchadnezzar.htm">King Nebuchadnezzar</a></b><br>The Babylonian king who ordered the selection of young Israelites to be trained for service in his court.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/ashpenaz.htm">Ashpenaz</a></b><br>The chief official appointed by Nebuchadnezzar to oversee the training of the young Israelites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_test.htm">The Test</a></b><br>Daniel's proposal to be tested for ten days by consuming only vegetables and water, as a demonstration of faith and reliance on God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_small_things.htm">Faithfulness in Small Things</a></b><br>Daniel's request for a simple diet demonstrates faithfulness in seemingly minor decisions, which can lead to greater spiritual victories.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_to_stand_apart.htm">Courage to Stand Apart</a></b><br>Daniel's willingness to propose a test shows the courage to stand apart from cultural norms when they conflict with God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a></b><br>By choosing a diet of vegetables and water, Daniel exemplifies trust in God's provision over human resources.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_testing.htm">The Power of Testing</a></b><br>The ten-day test serves as a reminder that trials can strengthen faith and reveal God's faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/influence_through_integrity.htm">Influence Through Integrity</a></b><br>Daniel's integrity and faithfulness influenced those around him, showing that living out one's convictions can impact others positively.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_daniel_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Daniel 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_10_days_of_veggies_improve_health.htm">Does Daniel 1:12–15 realistically depict that a mere ten-day vegetable diet could visibly improve health compared to the king’s provisions? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_daniel_fast.htm">What is the Daniel Fast?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_ten_days_of_tribulation.htm">What are the ten days of tribulation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/should_christians_go_vegetarian.htm">Should Christians adopt a vegetarian lifestyle?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/daniel/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Ten days.--</span>The number "ten" is treated as a round number here, and in <a href="/daniel/1-20.htm" title="And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.">Daniel 1:20</a>. (Comp. <a href="/genesis/31-41.htm" title="Thus have I been twenty years in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your cattle: and you have changed my wages ten times.">Genesis 31:41</a>.) By adopting this mode of life, Daniel resumes the simple diet commonly used by his ancestors previously to their entering Canaan (<a href="/context/deuteronomy/12-15.htm" title="Notwithstanding you may kill and eat flesh in all your gates, whatever your soul lusts after, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which he has given you: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.">Deuteronomy 12:15-16</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/26-5.htm" title="And you shall speak and say before the LORD your God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:">Deuteronomy 26:5</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/26-9.htm" title="And he has brought us into this place, and has given us this land, even a land that flows with milk and honey.">Deuteronomy 26:9</a>). This simplicity of life prevailed till the early times of David (<a href="/context/1_samuel/17-17.htm" title="And Jesse said to David his son, Take now for your brothers an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp of your brothers;">1Samuel 17:17-18</a>). At the Persian court, in later times, Daniel changed his rule of life (<a href="/daniel/10-3.htm" title="I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.">Daniel 10:3</a>), the infirmities of age beginning to tell upon his constitution. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/daniel/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.</span> The Septuagint seems to have read <span class="accented">yutan</span>, "let there be given," instead of <span class="accented">yitnu</span>, "let them give." <span class="accented">Zero'im</span>, "seeds" (<span class="greek">σπερμάτων</span>, Theodotion), "pulse" (<span class="greek">ὀσπρίων</span>, Septuagint and Authorized and Revised Versions). This word occurs only here; it differs, however, only by the second vowel from <span class="accented">zeruim</span> in <a href="/isaiah/61-11.htm">Isaiah 61:11</a>, and there it is rendered as by Theodotion here, <span class="greek">σπέρματα</span>. As the vowels were not written for centuries after the latest critical date of Daniel, it is in the highest degree absurd to ground any argument on the pronunciation affixed to the word by these late scribes, probably with as great caprice as made them maintain to all time "suspended letters" here and there in the text, or sometimes begin a word with a final <span class="accented">mere.</span> Professor Bevan regards this word a s possibly a scribe's mistake for <span class="accented">zeronim</span>, a word with the same meaning, which occurs in ver. 16, and is found in the Talmud. He might more naturally regard <span class="accented">zero'him as a</span> scribe's mistake for <span class="accented">zero'im.</span> As, however, the word is Aramaic, occurring both in the Eastern and Western dialects, it may be a case where the original word shines through. <span class="accented">Prove thy servants ten days.</span> The word used for "prove' is that frequently used of God in relation to men, as in <a href="/genesis/22-1.htm">Genesis 22:1</a>," God did prove Abraham." Calvin thinks that Daniel made this request because he had been directed by the Divine Spirit. We would not for one moment deny that all wisdom comes down from above, and that it is the Spirit of the Almighty that giveth understanding, yet the suggestion was a reasonable one, the period was long enough to have given signs that it affected them injuriously, and yet not so long but the evil effects might easily be removed. <span class="accented">Ten days.</span> It may be that this is merely a round number - an easily marked period - but an experiment would have a definite period. It is approximately the third of a revolution of the moon, and as the Babylonians were attentive observers of the movements of the heavenly bodies, especially of the moon, "ten days" is likely enough to be a period with them, as certainly a week was. Moreover, among all the nations of antiquity numbers were credited with special powers, as all who have studied Greek philosophy know. Pythagoras rested the whole universe on number. This theory, in which to some extent he was followed by Plato, seems to have been derived from Assyrian, if not Babylonian sources. Thus Lenormant, in 'La Magic,' gives a dialogue between <span class="accented">Hea</span> and his son <span class="accented">Hilgq-mulu-qi.</span> Everything depends on knowing "the number." It may be noted, as bearing on this, that in the bas-reliefs portraying a feast from the palace of Asshurbanipal, the guests are seated in messes of four round small tables. If, then, as is probable, all these young cadets at the Babylonian court sat in the royal presence, they would have a table to themselves, and thus the peculiarity of their meal would not be patent to the whole company. Had the number of friends been more, they would have been conspicuous: had they been fewer, they would have been observed by those added to make up the number. Their request to be allotted to eat only pulse and to drink only water, had not, as we have already said, anything necessarily of the asceticism of the Essenes. They, the Essenes, rather started <span class="accented">from</span> Daniel and his friends. Maimonides tells us that there were three kinds of <span class="accented">zeronim - tbu'ah</span>, "crops," wheat, barley, millet, etc.; <span class="accented">gatonith</span>, "small crops," peas, beans, lentils; <span class="accented">geenah</span>, "garden seeds," such as mint, anise, and cummin. The English versions and the Septuagint agree in regarding the second of these classes as here intended. There is this to be said, that seeds are the most nourishing form of vegetable diet. Aben Ezra suggests "rice" as the seeds used for this purpose; but as, just as in all hot climates, vegetables and fruits of all sorts were largely consumed in Babylon, definition is unnecessary. To the present day among the inhabitants of the district around ancient Babylon, indeed, over the Levant generally, dates and raisins, with grain, and in the season fresh fruit, form the staple food. Daniel really prayed to live as the common people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/daniel/1-12.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">“Please</span><br /><span class="heb">נָ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(nā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> </span><span class="str2">I pray', 'now', 'then'</span><br /><br /><span class="word">test</span><br /><span class="heb">נַס־</span> <span class="translit">(nas-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5254.htm">Strong's 5254: </a> </span><span class="str2">To test, to attempt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your servants</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲבָדֶ֖יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for ten</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲשָׂרָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·śā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6235.htm">Strong's 6235: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">days.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Let us be given</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיִתְּנוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yit·tə·nū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural<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">only vegetables</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֵּרֹעִ֛ים</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zê·rō·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | 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 /><br /><span class="word">to eat</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנֹאכְלָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nō·ḵə·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and water</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמַ֥יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to drink.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנִשְׁתֶּֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·niš·teh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8354.htm">Strong's 8354: </a> </span><span class="str2">To imbibe</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/daniel/1-12.htm">Daniel 1:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/daniel/1-12.htm">Daniel 1:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/daniel/1-12.htm">Daniel 1:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/daniel/1-12.htm">Daniel 1:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/daniel/1-12.htm">Daniel 1:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/daniel/1-12.htm">Daniel 1:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/daniel/1-12.htm">Daniel 1:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/daniel/1-12.htm">Daniel 1:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/daniel/1-12.htm">Daniel 1:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/daniel/1-12.htm">Daniel 1:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/daniel/1-12.htm">OT Prophets: Daniel 1:12 Prove your servants I beg you ten (Dan. Da Dn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/daniel/1-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Daniel 1:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Daniel 1:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/daniel/1-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Daniel 1:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Daniel 1:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>