Daniel 1:16

Verse

So the steward continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and he gave them vegetables instead.

American Standard Version (1901)

So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.

Bible in Basic English

So the keeper regularly took away their meat and the wine which was to have been their drink, and gave them grain.

Free Bible Version

After that the guard didn't give them the rich food and wine, just vegetables.

King James (Authorized) Version

Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

Translation for Translators

So after that, the guard gave us only vegetables to eat; he did not give us the king’s special food and wine.

Unlocked Literal Bible

So the steward took away their delicacies and their wine and gave them only vegetables.

Noah Webster Bible

Thus Melzar took away the portion of their food, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.

World English Bible

So the steward took away their delicacies and the wine that they were given to drink, and gave them vegetables.

Young's Literal Translation

And the Meltzar is taking away their portion of food, and the wine of their drink, and is giving to them vegetables.

Context

Daniel’s Faithfulness

¹⁵And at the end of ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than all the young men who were eating the king’s food.¹⁶So the steward continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and he gave them vegetables instead.

Summary

In Daniel 1:16, we see that Daniel and his friends chose not to defile themselves with the king's food and wine. Instead, they requested to eat vegetables and drink water. God honored their commitment to remain faithful to His dietary laws by giving them wisdom and understanding beyond their years. This verse highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the blessings that come from honoring Him in all aspects of life.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat,.... To himself, as the Syriac version adds; he took and carried it to his own family, and made use of it himself; and the portion of four such young gentlemen, maintained at the king's expense, and who had their provision from his table, must be, especially in the course of three years, of great advantage to this man and his family; for this was continued, as the word signifies, and may be rendered, "and Melzar was taking away &c." (f); so he did from time to time; and thus, by serving the Lord's people, he served himself: and the wine that they should drink; which he also took for his own use: and gave them pulse; to eat, and water to drink, as the Syriac version adds, and which they desired; when he found this agreed so well with them, and he could safely do it without exposing himself to danger, and being to his profit and advantage. (f) "fuit ferens", Montanus; "auferens", Piscator, Gejerus; "perseveravit auferre cibum"; Cocceius; "erat capiens", Michaelis.