Reading the Book of Daniel, it is easy to notice that it consists of two parts: the first includes a description of steadfastness...
Reading the Book of Daniel, it is easy to notice that it consists of two parts: the first (chs. 1-6) includes a description of steadfastness and faithfulness to God during persecution, and the second (chs. 7-12) contains apocalyptic visions that the author of the book attributes to Daniel, the hero of ancient Jewish traditions, who under the author's pen becomes a confessor of the faith.
Little is known today about the Daniel of Jewish traditions; as for the Book of Daniel, in the opinion of most biblical scholars it was written in the middle of the second century BC, during the persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes and the Maccabean wars. The fact that the author of the book transferred its action to the time of the Babylonian captivity is quite understandable. And the point is not that in Babylon some sort of harassment or persecution fell upon the Jews; on the contrary, the local authorities sought to have the Jewish community assimilate as quickly as possible, and persecutions, of course, could not have contributed to that. The point is that both assimilation and physical destruction, the threat of which hung over the people during the persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes, equally threatened the people of God with disappearance, which naturally was not part of God's plans.
Antiochus, of course, did not intend to deport anyone anywhere. He "only" set up pagan altars in the courtyard of the Jerusalem Temple, demanding from the Jews, under threat of death, worship of pagan gods and the abandonment of some of the Torah norms most important for Judaism, such as circumcision and kashrut (the prescriptions concerning ritually clean and ritually unclean food). Yahwism was thereby turned into a variety of pagan religion that allowed worship of other, lower gods alongside the One, while Judaism was in effect forbidden altogether: without circumcision, kashrut, and strict observance of the Sabbath (the rules of Sabbath rest), which in effect was also placed under ban, it is unthinkable. It is no accident that already in the first chapter of the Book of Daniel its author draws attention to the care with which his heroes observe kashrut: they are more ready to refuse tasty and abundant food than to violate the Torah (vv. 5-16).
The mention of vegetables and water in the book is not accidental: of everything that could have been on the abundant royal table, only vegetables could be considered kosher without any special preparation. And God did not leave without support those who were ready to remain faithful to Him at any cost (v. 17).
1 Jehoiakim's first captivity, Dan 1:1-2.
The choice made of Daniel and some other young men, to be brought up for Nebuchadnezzar's service, Dan 1:3-7.
Their preferring pulse before the king's meat, Dan 1:8-16.
Their wonderful improvement, Dan 1:17-21.
1:2 With part of the vessels - In this expedition Nebuchadnezzar carried away some captives, among whom were Daniel and his friends.His god - Baal, or Bell, and Nebo, which words they put into the names of their kings and favourites.
1:3 Of the eunuchs - These were chief among the king's servants; and they are called eunuchs, because many of them were such. And of the princes - Here was fulfilled what the prophet Isaiah had foretold, Isa 39:7.
1:4 The learning and the tongue - The Chaldeans were skilled above any other nation, in natural philosophy. Their tongue differed from the Hebrew in dialect and in pronunciation, which they learned that they might be the more acceptable to the king, and court.
1:5 The king's meat - Such as he had at his own table.
1:6 And Azariah - Probably all of the royal lineage of Judah.
1:7 Gave names - That is, other names, relating to the idol - gods.Belteshazzar - So Daniel had the name of Belteshazzar, from the great Babylonian idol Baal or Bell.This was by the king's command, and herein he put forth an act: of his sovereignty.
1:8 But Daniel purposed - There may be several weighty reasons assigned why Daniel did this.
- Because many of those meats provided for the king's table, were forbidden by the Jewish law.
- Daniel knew these delicates would too much gratify the flesh.
- He did not dare to eat and drink things consecrated to idols.
- He was sensible, how unsuitable delicate fare would be to the afflicted state of God's people.
Therefore he was herein a rare pattern of avoiding all the occasions ofevil.1:15 Fairer and fatter - The blessing of God upon homely fare, affords often more health and strength, than more costly fare to them that eat the fat, and drink the sweet.
1:19 Before - Both in the presence chamber, and in the council chamber, to try their proficiency; this shews the king's ability and judgment, how else could he discern their fitness, and their excellency above others.
1:20 The king enquired - This is a farther confirmation of the king's noble endowments, and of his great care whom he chose to be in offices of trust, namely persons excellently qualified to serve him in the great affairs of the kingdom. And thus did God pour contempt upon the pride of the Chaldeans, and put honour on the low estate of his people.
1:21 Continued - in the court of Babylon until Cyrus, and then he was in the Persian court, and he lived in honour and high employment all that time, yea, after Cyrus began to reign.For chap.Dan 10:1, he had visions and revelations in the third year of Cyrus.