^1:8But Daniel made up his mind³⁵ that he would not defile³⁶ himself with the royal delicacies or the royal wine.³⁷ He therefore asked the overseer of the court officials for permission not to defile himself. ^1:9Then God made the overseer of the court officials sympathetic to Daniel.³⁸^1:10But he³⁹ responded to Daniel, “I fear my master the king. He is the one who has decided⁴⁰ your food and drink. What would happen if he saw that you looked malnourished in comparison to the other young men your age?⁴¹ If that happened,⁴² you would endanger my life⁴³ with the king!”

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Footnotes

35 Heb “placed on his heart.”
36 Or “would not make himself ceremonially unclean”; “become ritually unclean.” Various reasons have been suggested as to why such food would defile Daniel. Perhaps it had to do with violations of Mosaic law with regard to unclean foods, or perhaps it had to do with such food having been offered to idols. Daniel’s practice in this regard is strikingly different from that of Esther, who was able successfully to conceal her Jewish identity.
37 Heb “with the delicacies of the king and with the wine of his drinking.”
38 Heb “Then God granted Daniel loyal love and compassion before the overseer of the court officials.” The expression “loyal love and compassion” is a hendiadys; the two words combine to express one idea.
39 Heb “The overseer of the court officials.” The subject has been specified in the translation for the sake of clarity.
40 Heb “assigned.” See v. 5.
41 Heb “Why should he see your faces thin from the young men who are according to your age?” The term translated “thin” occurs only here and in Gen 40:6, where it appears to refer to a dejected facial expression. The word is related to an Arabic root meaning “be weak.” See II זעף.
42 The words “if that happened” are not in the Hebrew text but have been added in the translation for clarity.
43 Heb “my head.” Presumably this is an implicit reference to capital punishment (cf. , , , ), although this is not entirely clear.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief eunuch not to defile himself. God had granted Daniel kindness and compassion from the chief eunuch, yet he said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and drink. What if he sees your faces looking thinner than the other young men your age? You would endanger my life with the king.”

NLTNew Living Translation

But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Now Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the fine food of the king, and with the wine that he drank, and so he requested from the commander of the court officials permission so that he would not defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion before the commander of the court officials, and the commander of the court officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord, the king, who has determined your food and your drink, for why should he see your face having a worse appearance than the young men who are your age? Then you will endanger my head with the king.”

KJV 1900King James Version

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. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

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