Daniel 1:12
Daniel 1:12 in Multiple Translations
“Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
Put your servants to the test for ten days; let them give us grain for our food and water for our drink.
“Please put us, your servants, to the test and just give us vegetables to eat and water to drink for ten days,” Daniel told him.
Proue thy seruants, I beseeche thee, ten dayes, and let them giue vs pulse to eate, and water to drinke.
'Try, I pray thee, thy servants, ten days; and they give to us of the vegetables, and we eat, and water, and we drink;
“Test your servants, I beg you, ten days; and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
Try, I beseech thee, thy servants for ten days, and let pulse be given us to eat, and water to drink:
So I said to this guard: “Please test us for ten days. During that time give us only vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 1:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Daniel 1:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
נַס
נָ֥א
אֶת
עֲבָדֶ֖י/ךָ
יָמִ֣ים
עֲשָׂרָ֑ה
וְ/יִתְּנוּ
לָ֜/נוּ
מִן
הַ/זֵּרֹעִ֛ים
וְ/נֹאכְלָ֖ה
וּ/מַ֥יִם
וְ/נִשְׁתֶּֽה
נַס
nâçâh
H5254
to test
V-Piel-Impv-2ms
נָ֥א
nâʼ
H4994
please
Part
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
עֲבָדֶ֖י/ךָ
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
N-mp | Suff
יָמִ֣ים
yôwm
H3117
day
N-mp
עֲשָׂרָ֑ה
ʻeser
H6235
ten
Adj
וְ/יִתְּנוּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-Juss-3mp
לָ֜/נוּ
Prep | Suff
מִן
min
H4480
from
Prep
הַ/זֵּרֹעִ֛ים
zêrôaʻ
H2235
vegetable
Art | N-mp
וְ/נֹאכְלָ֖ה
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
וּ/מַ֥יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
Conj | N-mp
וְ/נִשְׁתֶּֽה
shâthâh
H8354
to drink
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Daniel 1:12
נַס
nâçâh
H5254
"to test"
V-Piel-Impv-2ms
This Hebrew word means to test or try something, often to prove its worth or character. It is used in stories like Job, where God allows Satan to test Job's faith. The idea of testing is also seen in the wilderness, where the Israelites were tested by God.
Definition: : test 1) to test, try, prove, tempt, assay, put to the proof or test 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to test, try 1a2) to attempt, assay, try 1a3) to test, try, prove, tempt
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: adventure, assay, prove, tempt, try. See also: Genesis 22:1; Judges 6:39; Psalms 26:2.
נָ֥א
nâʼ
H4994
"please"
Part
The Hebrew word 'nâ'' is used to express a polite request, like 'please' or 'I pray', and is often added to verbs to make them more polite. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Ezra's reading of the law to the people.
Definition: 1) I (we) pray, now, please 1a) used in entreaty or exhortation
Usage: Occurs in 374 OT verses. KJV: I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh. See also: Genesis 12:11; Judges 4:19; 1 Kings 13:6.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
עֲבָדֶ֖י/ךָ
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
יָמִ֣ים
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-mp
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
עֲשָׂרָ֑ה
ʻeser
H6235
"ten"
Adj
This Hebrew word means the number ten, often used in combination with other numbers to describe larger quantities, such as in the story of the ten commandments in Exodus 20. It is commonly translated as 'ten' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) ten 1a) ten 1b) with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: a.sar (עֲשַׂר "ten" H6236)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: ten, (fif-, seven-) teen. See also: Genesis 5:14; 1 Kings 6:3; Isaiah 5:10.
וְ/יִתְּנוּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-Juss-3mp
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לָ֜/נוּ
""
Prep | Suff
מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הַ/זֵּרֹעִ֛ים
zêrôaʻ
H2235
"vegetable"
Art | N-mp
This term means vegetables or plants grown for food, as in Daniel 1:12 where Daniel eats only vegetables. It highlights the importance of simple, wholesome food.
Definition: vegetables (as sown) Also means: zar.on (זֵֽרְעֹן "vegetable" H2235B)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: pulse. See also: Daniel 1:12; Daniel 1:16.
וְ/נֹאכְלָ֖ה
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
וּ/מַ֥יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
Conj | N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
וְ/נִשְׁתֶּֽה
shâthâh
H8354
"to drink"
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to drink, and it's used in many ways, like drinking from a cup or feasting. It's also used to describe being drunk or taking part in a big celebration. We see it in stories like the Last Supper in Matthew 26:27.
Definition: 1) to drink 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to drink 1a1a) of drinking cup of God's wrath, of slaughter, of wicked deeds (fig) 1a2) to feast 1b) (Niphal) to be drunk Aramaic equivalent: she.tah (שְׁתָה "to drink" H8355)
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of H8248 (שָׁקָה).) See also: Genesis 9:21; 2 Kings 19:24; Psalms 50:13.
Study Notes — Daniel 1:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Daniel 1:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Daniel 1:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 1:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 1:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 1:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 1:12
- Cambridge Bible on Daniel 1:12
- Barnes' Notes on Daniel 1:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 1:12
- Sermons on Daniel 1:12
Context — Daniel’s Faithfulness
10but he said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking thinner than those of the other young men your age? You would endanger my head before the king!”
11Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12“Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink.
13Then 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.” 14So he consented to this and tested them for ten days.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romans 14:2 | For one person has faith to eat all things, while another, who is weak, eats only vegetables. |
| 2 | Daniel 1:16 | So the steward continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and he gave them vegetables instead. |
| 3 | Genesis 1:29–30 | 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. And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 8:3 | He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. |
Daniel 1:12 Summary
In this verse, Daniel asks to be given only vegetables and water for ten days, trusting that God will provide for him and give him strength. This shows that Daniel prioritized his spiritual well-being and trusted in God's care, as seen in Psalm 23:1-3. We can learn from Daniel's example to trust in God's provision and to prioritize our own spiritual growth, as in Matthew 6:33, where it is written to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. By doing so, we can experience God's faithfulness and provision in our own lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What motivated Daniel to ask for a diet of only vegetables and water?
Daniel's motivation was likely to avoid defiling himself with the king's food and drink, which may have been offered to idols, as seen in Daniel 1:8, and to trust in God's provision, as in Exodus 16:4.
Why did Daniel propose a ten-day test?
Daniel proposed a ten-day test to demonstrate the physical and spiritual benefits of trusting in God's provision, as seen in Daniel 1:12, and to show that his diet would not hinder his performance or appearance, as in 1 Samuel 2:26.
How does this verse relate to the concept of faith and trust in God?
This verse shows Daniel's faith and trust in God's provision, as in Psalm 37:3-4, where it is written to trust in the Lord and do good, and to dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness.
What can we learn from Daniel's request about our own relationship with food and drink?
We can learn from Daniel's request to be mindful of what we consume, as in 1 Corinthians 10:31, and to prioritize our spiritual well-being, as in Romans 14:17, where it is written that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I can trust God's provision and care, just like Daniel did?
- How can I apply the principle of testing and trusting in God's ways, as seen in this verse, to my own life and decisions?
- In what ways can I prioritize my spiritual well-being, as Daniel did, in my daily choices and habits?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of self-control and discipline in my walk with God?
Gill's Exposition on Daniel 1:12
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days, e.] Here Daniel manifestly includes his companions, and makes his request for himself and them desiring that they might be tried ten days with different
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 1:12
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Pulse. The Hebrew [ zeero`iym (H2235)] expresses any vegetable grown from seeds - i:e., vegetable food in general (Gesenius).
Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 1:12
Daniel 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.Ver. 12. Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days.] All good means must be used for the keeping of a good conscience, and then God must be trusted for the issue. But did not Daniel herein tempt God? No; for besides that he had a word, (1.) Of precept; and (2.) Of promise, ex arcana revelatione certior factus est, it might be revealed unto him that no inconvenience should follow upon this course. And let them give pulse to eat, and water to drink.] Poor fare for noblemen’ s sons, but such as they were well paid for. Nature is contented with a little, grace with less. The sobriety of Democritus and Demosthenes is much celebrated among the heathen. But what saith Augustine? Omnis vita infidelium peccatum est, et nihil bonum sine summo bone. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin, &c.
Daniel’ s sobriety was of another nature, of a better alloy. Papists crack much of their abstinence from certain meats and drinks at certain times; but Daniel’ s and Papists’ fasts agree as harp and harrow. See my "Common Place of Abstinence." De Ver. lnnoc., cap. 56.
Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 1:12
(12) Ten days.—The number “ten” is treated as a round number here, and in Daniel 1:20. (Comp. Genesis 31:41.) By adopting this mode of life, Daniel resumes the simple diet commonly used by his ancestors previously to their entering Canaan (Deuteronomy 12:15-16; Deuteronomy 26:5; Deuteronomy 26:9). This simplicity of life prevailed till the early times of David (1 Samuel 17:17-18). At the Persian court, in later times, Daniel changed his rule of life (Daniel 10:3), the infirmities of age beginning to tell upon his constitution.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 1:12
Verse 12. Give us pulse to eat] הזרעים hazzeraim, seeds or grain, such as barley, wheat, rye, and peas, c. Though a vegetable diet might have produced that healthiness of the system in general, and of the countenance particularly, as mentioned here yet we are to understand that there was an especial blessing of God in this, because this spare diet was taken on a religious account.
Cambridge Bible on Daniel 1:12
12. ten days] a round number of days (cf. Genesis 24:55; Genesis 31:7), sufficiently long to test the effects of the proposed diet. let them] i.e. the people appointed for the purpose. A Hebrew idiom, the force of which would here be better expressed in English by the passive, ‘let there be given us’ (cf. Job 7:3 b, lit. ‘they have appointed,’ Psalms 63:11 a [A.V. 10a], Psalms 64:9 a [A.V. 8a]; and on ch. Daniel 4:25). pulse] rather vegetable food in general; there is no reason for restricting the Heb. word used to leguminous fruits, such as beans and peas, which is what the term ‘pulse’ properly denotes. Cf. Isaiah 61:11, where almost the same word is rendered ‘the things that are sown,’ i.e. vegetable products.
Barnes' Notes on Daniel 1:12
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days - A period which would indicate the probable result of the entire experiment.
Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 1:12
9-16. The Rab-saris objected to the proposed change of diet — to pulse (vegetables) and water — out of “favor and compassion” for Daniel (Daniel 1:9, R.V.), and for fear of his own life if the boys
Sermons on Daniel 1:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Men God Made) Daniel by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of fasting and its importance in the Christian faith. The speaker emphasizes that fasting is not just about abstaining from food, |
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Daniel and His Times by Sir Robert Anderson | Sir Robert Anderson delves into the life of the prophet Daniel, highlighting his unique role as a recipient of divine revelations rather than an inspired prophet. Daniel, living in |
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Each One Should Be Fully Convinced in His Own Mind by John Piper | In this sermon, the preacher discusses how Paul addresses a seemingly insignificant issue in the church regarding meat and vegetable eating. Despite the small nature of the dispute |
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Do Not Destroy the Work of God by John Piper | In this sermon, John Piper emphasizes the importance of not putting stumbling blocks or hindrances in the way of fellow believers. He urges Christians to love one another, especial |
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Our Awesome God - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | This sermon delves into the profound wisdom and knowledge of God as revealed in Romans 11, emphasizing the intricate design and balance in creation that sustains life on Earth. It |
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Health - What Does the Bible Say? by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the biblical perspective on health and nutrition, emphasizing the importance of stewardship over our bodies and the need to return to God's design for eatin |
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We Should Be thankful... by Walter Wilson | In a sermon by Walter Wilson, he emphasizes the intricate design of the human body, pointing out how God's thoughtful creation includes joints with 'stoppers' to prevent overextens |