Daniel 1:13

"Then let our faces be examined before you, and the face of the youths who eat of the king’s delicacies; and as you see, deal with your servants.”"

Key Reflection

In Daniel 1:13, the Babylonian officials request that their faces be directly compared to those of the Hebrew youths who were being educated in the king’s palace. The phrase “as you see, deal with your servants” implies a challenge: if the Hebrews are truly as well-cared-for as they claim, then there should be no discernible difference between them and the other boys. This subtle test reflects the political tensions of the time, where maintaining loyalty to one's own culture while adapting to a new environment could lead to suspicion and scrutiny from the Babylonian authorities.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Then let our countenances be looked upon -One of the “objects” to be secured by this whole trial was to promote their personal beauty, and their healthful appearanceDaniel 1:4-5, and Daniel was willing that the trial should be made with reference to that, and that a judgment should be formed from the observed effect of their temperate mode of life. The Hebrew word rendered countenance (מראהmar'eh) is not limited to the “face,” as the word countenance is with us.

More from Daniel 1

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