Daniel 1:3-7 - Among those who were chosen

1:3-5

One of the interesting features of the narrative part of Daniel is to see how they worked within Babylon. They did not shun Babylon, but worked for and within the system, following God’s instructions through Jeremiah to seek the peace and prosperity of the city (Jer 29:7). Yet, at the same time, they did not compromise their faith. So the chief of the court officials was to seek out the most able of the Israelites and bring them into the service of the king. Aramaic was the primary language used in Babylon. The chosen ones were to have excellent physical and mental characteristics. They were to be fed the best food (i.e. from the king’s table), and were to be trained for three years.

1:6,7

The book focuses on Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. In Hebrew their names mean: “God is my judge”; The Lord shows grace”; Who is what God is?”; and “The Lord helps”, respectively. The chief official gave them new Babylonian names. These mean: “Bel protect his life”; “command of Aku (Sumerian moon-god)”; “Who is what Aku is?”; and “servant of Nebo”. So their new names involve various Babylonian gods, but they did not seem to object to this. Likewise, Joseph was given an Egyptian name (Gen 41:45). You could say a similar thing about us as the days of the week are named after various gods, yet we use them quite happily.