Daniel 1:11

"Then Daniel said to the steward whom the prince of the eunuchs had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:"

Key Reflection

Daniel 1:11 describes a conversation between Daniel and the steward appointed by the royal eunuchs to oversee the young Jewish captives. In this historical context, the steward was responsible for their well-being and adherence to Babylonian customs. By addressing him directly, Daniel shows respect while subtly asserting his own authority and commitment to Jewish dietary laws, which would have been a significant point of contention in the lives of the exiled Jews.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel ... -Margin, or, the “steward.” It is not easy to determine whether the word here used (מלצרmeltsâr) is to be regarded as a proper name, or the name of an office. It occurs nowhere else, except inDaniel 1:16, applied to the same person. Gesenius regards it as denoting the name of an office in the Babylonian court - master of the wine, chief butler. Others regard it as meaning a treasurer. The word is still in use in Persia. The Vulgate renders it as a proper name - Malasar; and so the Syriac - Meshitzar; and so the Greek -ἈμελσὰδAmelsad.

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