(Heb. Ashpenaz’, אִשְׁפְּנִז, perh. from Persic and Sanscrit afnas, horse, and nasa, nose, i. q. "horse-nose;" Sept. Α᾿σφανέζ), the master of the eunuchs, or, rather, one of the principal chamberlains of Nebuchadnezzar (B.C. 604), who was commanded to select certain Jewish captives to be instructed in the literature and science of the Chaldaeans ([Dan 1:3]). In this number he included Daniel and his three companions, whose Hebrew names he changed to Chaldee ([Dan 1:7]). Their refusal to partake of the provisions in from the monarch’s table filled Ashpenaz with apprehension, for at that time, as in our days, the Asiatic despots frequently punished with death the least infraction of their will. He had, however, the generosity not to use constraint toward them. In acceding to the request of Daniel, Ashpenaz had every thing to apprehend; and the grateful prophet specially records that God had disposed Ashpenaz to treat him with kindness ([Dan 1:8-16]). SEE DANIEL.
