Diving into Daniel: A Dietary Request
Daniel 1:8-16 - Daniel is a great role model for how we can live our beliefs in a sinful, secular world.
“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. Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, 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.” But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. 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.”
So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food. So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.”
Daniel 1:8-16 NASB1995
I thought the artwork I used at the top was somewhat amusing. I’m not sure who created it, but found it in a few places looking for art associated with Daniel 1. The four young men (really, teenagers) look like teenagers today when they’ve been told to do something they don’t want to do. But in this case, they are obeying God and not humans.
The four young men did humbly and meekly accept their name changes (they know what their real names are) and pursue their indoctrination into the literature and language of the Chaldeans (they know what they believe). However, Daniel made up his mind (other translations: Purposed in his heart) that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he (the king) drank and he requested from the overseer to pursue a diet that would defile him. Let’s do a word study!
Defile comes from the Hebrew verb גָּאַל or gâʼal with the following Biblical usages:
to defile, pollute, desecrate
(Niphal) to be defiled, be polluted
(Piel) to pollute, desecrate
(Pual) to be desecrated (of removal from priesthood)
(Hiphil) to pollute, stain
(Hithpael) to defile oneself
The items in parentheses are the various Hebrew verb tenses. In the context of Daniel 1:8, it is the Hithpael or imperfect third person usage of the ancient Hebrew verb.
Enduring Word has excellent commentary on this passage:
a. That he would not defile himself: The ancient Hebrew word defile carries the thought of polluting or staining (see also Isaiah 59:3, Zephaniah 3:1, and Malachi 1:7). That Daniel requested that he might not defile himself implies that he explained the spiritual basis for his request. He didn’t make it seem that he wanted to avoid the king’s food out of other reasons.
i. Therefore he requested: Daniel made a big deal over a little thing. The only way to go on with God is to be faithful in little things. We might ask, “Daniel, why bring religion into it?” But Daniel realized that his relationship with God touched every area of his life, including what he ate. Significantly, the root of sin goes back to eating forbidden food.
b. That he might not defile himself: Daniel and his friends considered the king’s food defiled for at least three reasons. First, it undoubtedly was not kosher. Second, it was probably sacrificed to idols. Third, eating the king’s food implied fellowship with Babylon’s cultural system.
i. Daniel did not object to the name given to him, because he knew who he was and others could call him what they wanted. Daniel did not object to the Babylonian education, because he knew what he believed. Daniel did object to the food from the king’s table because eating it was direct disobedience to God’s word.
ii. “By eastern standards to share a meal was to commit one’s self to friendship; it was of covenant significance.” (Joyce Baldwin)
iii. Nor with the wine which he drank: God did not forbid drinking wine. Nevertheless, in pagan cultures most wine and meat was dedicated to the gods, so Daniel and his friends refused it.
c. Therefore he requested: Daniel made a remarkably courageous decision, especially when we think of all the reasons why it was a hard decision to make.
i. The king ordered the menu. Rejecting the menu was rejecting the king, and could result in severe punishment.
ii. Refusing the food might have branded them as being uncooperative, and could have spoiled all chances of advancement (many other Hebrew youths did eat the food).
iii. There was a real threat of punishment. Ancient kings were well known for the severe and often sadistic punishments against those who crossed them. Nebuchadnezzar was capable of great cruelty. He murdered the sons of one king of Judah before the king’s eyes then immediately gouged out the eyes of the king, so his last memory would always be the murder of his sons (Jeremiah 39:6-7). Other rulers of Judah were literally roasted to death over a fire (Jeremiah 29:22).
iv. The food itself was no doubt pretty attractive, and seemed a much better alternative than eating a vegetarian diet and water for three years.
v. Mere distance made this challenging. Separated from family and home, it was easy to compromise.
vi. It was easy to think that God had let them down by allowing them to be carried away into Babylon. These exiles, kidnapped from Jerusalem, might have said: “Why should we risk our neck for a God who let me down?” Yet they were committed to obedience even if God did not fulfill their expectations.
d. Daniel purposed in his heart: In this, Daniel illustrated how to conquer a difficult trial and glorify God before others in the midst of testing.
i. First, the heart must be set. Daniel purposed in his heart, making up his mind beforehand that he would not compromise.
ii. The life must be positive. Daniel found favor with his superiors.
iii. Protest must be courteous. Daniel requested to be excused from the king’s table. He made a polite request, showing discretion. Making a stand for Jesus Christ does not mean we must be obnoxious.
iv. Self-denial must be sought. Daniel and his friends knew this would cost them something, yet they were willing. “Be ready for a bad name; be willing to be called a bigot; be prepared for the loss of friendships; be prepared for anything so long as you can stand fast by Him who bought you with His precious blood.” (Charles Spurgeon)
v. The test must be boldly put. “I think that a Christian man should be willing to be tried; he should be pleased to let his religion be put to the test. ‘There,’ says he, ‘hammer away if you like.’ Do you want to be carried to heaven on a feather bed? Do you want always to be protected from everybody’s sneer and frown; and to go to heaven as if you were riding in the procession on Lord Mayor’s day?” (Charles Spurgeon)
When we are faced with something that goes against our beliefs, this commentary has some good points that we can follow:
Make up our minds (or purpose our hearts) at the very beginning so that we won’t compromise.
Through your example and actions, find favor with others so that they view you in a positive way and don’t think of your obstinacy and other negative traits.
Protest the issue that you will not compromise on politely. Request an alternative that preserves your beliefs and standards and do it with discretion. In Daniel’s case, he was dealing with a king (see the stories above in the commentary) who would not hesitate to punish someone in a really bad way.
Self-denial must be sought. Be willing to go against the crowd and stand fast with Him.
Allow for others to test your beliefs so you can strengthen your resolve and learn to be an effective apologist.
God granted Daniel compassion and favor in the sight of the overseer or commander of the King’s forces. God sees and appreciates integrity in His believers. The overseer was concerned that the four young men would become haggard in comparison to the others and the king would punish him (by beheading him). But Daniel politely asks for a test. He requests that the four of them be given vegetables and water for ten days and then compare them to the rest of the young men in training and if there is a negative result, and then to deal with them as the overseer sees fit. The overseer listens to this request and agrees to test them. At the end of the ten days, the four young men were better-appearing and fatter than the boys who had the king’s choice foods. The overseer continues to provide them vegetables and water instead of the king’s foods and wine.
The vegetarian diet worked with the help of God. A personal aside: Steve and I chose a vegetarian lifestyle for over twenty years of our lives. We did this with the hope that it would stop the progression of my Rheumatoid Arthritis (Steve was kind enough to follow the diet, too). After I had a significant flare-up of the disease anyway, we returned to an omnivorous diet more than a decade ago (we are more focused on meat protein now than vegetables). All I can say is that while I was a vegetarian, I gained weight (ate too many carbs and dairy products) and I didn’t have much energy. It was an annoyance when we were traveling and with family get-togethers. I am in awe of Daniel and his friends for being able to stick to this diet. Their spiritual beliefs drove their compliance, not their lack of desire for meat and wine. In this case the meats and wine were not kosher and had probably been used in rituals with false gods.
Daniel’s example is a great one for believers who are surrounded by secular pressures. Here are two great commentaries from Precept Austin about being like Daniel. The first one is from the late Bible scholar Robert Neighbour on wisdom for the workplace:
If there was ever a manual for Christians in the workplace it is the book of Daniel. Every time I read this book, I am impressed by Daniel's solid character traits. Before you discount his example, consider some very important details of Daniel's career. He was a foreigner employed in a hostile environment. He worked under some of the most wicked men in history. Very few of his peers shared his values. He served in very high-profile positions with incredible responsibility. He was persecuted for his beliefs. Daniel faced the same challenges that many of us face on a daily basis at our places of business.
Don't think everything went smoothly for him. He didn't rise to the top without conflict. He didn't achieve success without paying a price. Daniel's career gives Christians a model for behavior. It is possible to serve God and work in a hostile environment. For most believers, there is no choice. A living must be earned. Like Daniel, we need to have an unbending commitment to God, yet a graciousness in our demeanor. Jesus said we are to be "wise as serpents, yet harmless as doves." There is no record of Daniel talking bad about the king or cutting down a fellow co-worker. If God has called you to the hostile workplace, work efficiently and diligently. Faithfully serve your employer. Get along with your co-workers. If you do, then your life will be a living testimony of Christ. "Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Matthew 10:16) (Robert Neighbour - Living Water).
Great words of wisdom that apply even more today in the typical workplace! The second great commentary quoted on Precept Austin is from Jerry Bridges on making spiritual commitments to ourselves:
Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself. (DANIEL 1:8) In addition to an overall commitment to pursue holiness in every area of life, I find it helpful to make specific commitments in areas where we’re particularly vulnerable to sin. There’s great value in identifying those areas—either in what we do (for example, gossip) or in what we fail to do (such as loving our wives as Christ loved the church)—and then making specific commitments of obedience to God in those areas. I urge you to list any areas of temptation wherein you need to make this specific commitment. Do you need to make a covenant with your eyes about what you look at (Job 31:1), or with your mouth about what you say, or with your mind about what you think?
Is there a particular temptation or sinful practice that arises in your work environment that needs a commitment to fortify you against it? Write these commitments down on paper, for your eyes only, so you can review them and pray over them daily. Perhaps there’s a particular area in your marriage or in your relationship with your children, your parents, a friend, or an associate at work where you aren’t demonstrating the Spirit’s fruit of love, patience, or kindness. Do you need to make a commitment that, in dependence on the Holy Spirit to enable you, you’ll seek to display that particular “fruit” toward that individual? If so, I urge you to make such a commitment. You may find the need to make several commitments—sins to put off or avoid and Christlike traits to put on. If you don’t commit yourself to the pursuit of holiness in these specific areas of your life, you’ll find a tendency to vacillate in the face of these temptations. (Jerry Bridges - Holiness Day by Day: Transformational Thoughts for Your Spiritual Journey)
The Holy Spirit guides us on a daily basis, but we also have to do some work in our sanctification process. I think this is a great idea to do a daily spiritual inventory and make those commitments.
My next devotional examines Daniel 1:17-21 - The four youths grow in wisdom and the King is impressed.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - Today I pray the words of the hymn “Dare to Be a Daniel”, written by Philip Bliss (1838-1876) and found in Precept Austin:
Standing by a purpose true,
Heeding God’s command,
Honor them, the faithful few!
All hail to Daniel’s band!
Refrain
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
Many mighty men are lost
Daring not to stand,
Who for God had been a host
By joining Daniel’s band.
Refrain
Many giants, great and tall,
Stalking through the land,
Headlong to the earth would fall,
If met by Daniel’s band.
Refrain
Hold the Gospel banner high!
On to vict’ry grand!
Satan and his hosts defy,
And shout for Daniel’s band.
Refrain
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
The Blue Letter Bible was accessed on 3/17/2025 to review the lexicon for defiled.
Commentary from Enduring Word by David Guzik is used with written permission.
Precept Austin was accessed on 3/17/2025 to review commentary for Daniel 1:8-16.
This blessed me greatly
Thank you very much