The Meaning of Daniel 1:8 Explained

Daniel 1:8

KJV: But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

YLT: And Daniel purposeth in his heart that he will not pollute himself with the king's portion of food, and with the wine of his drinking, and he seeketh of the chief of the eunuchs that he may not pollute himself.

Darby: And Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not pollute himself with the king's delicate food, nor with the wine which he drank; and he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not have to pollute himself.

ASV: But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's dainties, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But Daniel  purposed  in his heart  that he would not defile  himself with the portion  of the king's  meat,  nor with the wine  which he drank:  therefore he requested  of the prince  of the eunuchs  that he might not defile  himself. 

What does Daniel 1:8 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Evidently Daniel took the initiative with this decision, and his three friends followed his lead. His decision was not to remain morally pure but to remain ceremonially pure. Ceremonial purity was something that concerned only the most faithful Jews. Jews who were careful to remain ceremonially pure would have been equally careful to preserve their moral and ethical purity. Daniel wanted to please the Lord in every respect, not just in the most important moral aspects of his life (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; 1 Corinthians 10:6; 1 Corinthians 10:14). Undoubtedly the meat and wine that they refused had been offered to the Babylonian gods (Marduk [1], Nebo, Ishtar, etc.) since it came from the king"s table (cf. 2 Kings 25:29). These young men faced a situation common to every modern Christian youth. They could be a part of the crowd and submit to peer pressure to get ahead. Or they could do what they knew would please their God though it might involve persecution and cost them advancement opportunities.
"The command of the king, that the young men should be fed with the food and wine from the king"s table, was to Daniel and his friends a test of their fidelity to the Lord and to His law, like that to which Joseph was subjected in Egypt, corresponding to the circumstances in which he was placed, of his fidelity to God (Gen. xxxix7 f.)." [2]
"It has well been said that faith is not believing in spite of evidence-that"s superstition-but obeying in spite of consequences." [3]
". . . the only way we can advance in the truth is by maintaining a good conscience [4]. Allow one thing in your life unjudged that you know to be contrary to the word of God, or that you fear is not in line with God"s will for you, and you will soon find your spiritual eyes become darkened, your spiritual susceptibilities deadened, and no real progress made in your soul, but rather a steady decline. But where there is faithfulness in separation from that which is opposed to the mind of God; where His word is allowed to sit in judgment on all your ways, you will learn that "the path of the just is as a shining light, which shineth brighter and brighter unto the perfect day." The Word will illumine each step before you as you take the one already pointed out." [5]

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 1:8 mean?

But purposed Daniel in his heart that not he would defile himself with the portion of delicacies of the king nor with the wine which he drank therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs not he might defile himself
וַיָּ֤שֶׂם דָּנִיֵּאל֙ עַל־ לִבּ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹֽא־ יִתְגָּאַ֛ל בְּפַתְבַּ֥ג הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וּבְיֵ֣ין מִשְׁתָּ֑יו וַיְבַקֵּשׁ֙ מִשַּׂ֣ר הַסָּרִיסִ֔ים לֹ֥א יִתְגָּאָֽל

וַיָּ֤שֶׂם  But  purposed 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שׂוּמָה 
Sense: to put, place, set, appoint, make.
דָּנִיֵּאל֙  Daniel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּנִאֵל 
Sense: the 2nd son of David, by Abigail the Carmelitess.
לִבּ֔וֹ  his  heart 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
אֲשֶׁ֧ר  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
יִתְגָּאַ֛ל  he  would  defile  himself 
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: גָּאַל  
Sense: to defile, pollute, desecrate.
בְּפַתְבַּ֥ג  with  the  portion  of  delicacies 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פַּת־בַּג  
Sense: portion of food for king, delicacies.
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ  of  the  king 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.
וּבְיֵ֣ין  nor  with  the  wine 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: יַיִן  
Sense: wine.
מִשְׁתָּ֑יו  which  he  drank 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁתֶּה  
Sense: feast, drink, banquet.
וַיְבַקֵּשׁ֙  therefore  he  requested 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בָּקַשׁ  
Sense: to seek, require, desire, exact, request.
מִשַּׂ֣ר  of  the  chief 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: סָרַר 
Sense: prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain.
הַסָּרִיסִ֔ים  of  the  eunuchs 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: סָרִיס  
Sense: official, eunuch.
יִתְגָּאָֽל  he  might  defile  himself 
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: גָּאַל  
Sense: to defile, pollute, desecrate.