The Meaning of Daniel 1:5 Explained

Daniel 1:5

KJV: And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

YLT: And the king doth appoint for them a rate, day by day, of the king's portion of food, and of the wine of his drinking, so as to nourish them three years, that at the end thereof they may stand before the king.

Darby: And the king appointed unto them a daily provision of the king's delicate food, and of the wine that he drank, to nourish them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

ASV: And the king appointed for them a daily portion of the king's dainties, and of the wine which he drank, and that they should be nourished three years; that at the end thereof they should stand before the king.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And the king  appointed  them a daily  provision  of the king's  meat,  and of the wine  which he drank:  so nourishing  them three  years,  that at the end  thereof they might stand  before  the king. 

What does Daniel 1:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Daniel 1:1-21 - Moral Courage Rewarded
These young men of noble Jewish families were brought to Babylon to receive education for the civil service. Their names were altered to break, so far as possible, their connection with the past. The food provided probably contravened Leviticus 3:17. According to the usual custom it had been presented before an idol, 1 Corinthians 8:10. Note those words: Daniel purposed in his heart. It is all important to resolve in one's heart that certain things are not possible for us. Too many of us have a secret reserve. We barricade the front door but leave the back door on the latch. We ought to realize the extent to which Paul referred when he said, "dead to sin." God always cooperates with His servants when they are true to Him. He brought Daniel into favor; He gave him skill; He caused his face and that of his three friends, to bear the hue of health. Let us trust Him to do His part! This is the secret of continuance, Daniel 1:21. [source]

Chapter Summary: Daniel 1

1  Jehoiakim's captivity
3  Ashpenaz takes Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah
8  They refusing the king's portion do prosper with pulse and water
17  Their proficiency in wisdom

What do the individual words in Daniel 1:5 mean?

And appointed for them the king provision a day a daily of delicacies of the king And of the wine which he drank and of training for them years three so that at the end of [that time] they might serve before the king
וַיְמַן֩ לָהֶ֨ם הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ דְּבַר־ י֣וֹם בְּיוֹמ֗וֹ מִפַּת־ בַּ֤ג הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וּמִיֵּ֣ין מִשְׁתָּ֔יו וּֽלְגַדְּלָ֖ם שָׁנִ֣ים שָׁל֑וֹשׁ וּמִ֨קְצָתָ֔ם יַֽעַמְד֖וּ לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ

וַיְמַן֩  And  appointed 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: מָנָה  
Sense: to count, reckon, number, assign, tell, appoint, prepare.
לָהֶ֨ם  for  them 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine plural
הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ  the  king 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.
דְּבַר־  provision 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
י֣וֹם  a  day 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
בְּיוֹמ֗וֹ  a  daily 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
בַּ֤ג  delicacies 
Parse: Preposition, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פַּת־בַּג  
Sense: portion of food for king, delicacies.
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙  of  the  king 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.
וּמִיֵּ֣ין  And  of  the  wine 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: יַיִן  
Sense: wine.
מִשְׁתָּ֔יו  which  he  drank 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁתֶּה  
Sense: feast, drink, banquet.
וּֽלְגַדְּלָ֖ם  and  of  training  for  them 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Verb, Piel, Infinitive construct, third person masculine plural
Root: גָּדַל  
Sense: to grow, become great or important, promote, make powerful, praise, magnify, do great things.
שָׁנִ֣ים  years 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: שָׁנָה  
Sense: year.
שָׁל֑וֹשׁ  three 
Parse: Number, feminine singular
Root: מִשְׁלֹשׁ 
Sense: three, triad.
וּמִ֨קְצָתָ֔ם  so  that  at  the  end  of  [that  time] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m, Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: קְצָת  
Sense: end, part.
יַֽעַמְד֖וּ  they  might  serve 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: עָמַד  
Sense: to stand, remain, endure, take one’s stand.
לִפְנֵ֥י  before 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, common plural construct
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ  the  king 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.