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Daniel 1:16

ESV So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
NIV So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
NASB So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.
CSB So the guard continued to remove their food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables.
NLT So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.
KJV Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
NKJV Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

What does Daniel 1:16 mean?

It appears the steward (Daniel 1:11) allowed Daniel and his three friends to continue their chosen diet (Daniel 1:12–15) for the rest of the three years of their education (Daniel 1:1–5). Surely God was working in the minds and hearts of pagan officials to perform His will regarding Daniel and his friends.

God always honors those who honor Him. Centuries before Daniel was a slave in Babylon, Joseph was a slave in Egypt. He was even thrown into prison, but Genesis 39:21 says, "But the Lᴏʀᴅ was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison." Similarly, "God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs" (Daniel 1:9). God's purpose for Joseph was to elevate him to a high position in the government of Egypt, and His purpose for Daniel was to elevate him to a position of immense influence in Babylon. This emphasizes the idea that nothing can overrule God's purposes, even if the circumstances seem evil (Genesis 50:20).
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