Alright! Now that we're discussing a section of the Old Testament, it is easier to dissect the texts and get into exegesis! (Although I remember doing this passage in orientation)
There appear to be four qualities that the Kӑsdīm (Chaldeans) were looking for, among the Hebrew captives, to work in the King's palace:
Physical attractiveness
Application of Knowledge (Prudence and wisdom)
Knowledge/teachability
Strength/aptitude
Most translations do not translate the last quality as strength, as in the King James Version. They translate it as, "and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace" (Daniel 1:4). This seems like a logical way to translate the word "Koaḥ" from the Hebrew. However, it is important for the student …show more content…
One of the things that I have noted when translating the verse is that most of the verse, "children that do not have any defect, and are good-looking || who are prudent in all wisdom || knowledgeable, and discerning knowledge/information || and who possess strength/aptitude" (Daniel 1:4), all seem to be qualities that the young men need in order "to hold a position in the King's palace" (Daniel 1:4). The last part of the verse marks the logical midpoint. For example, if you had a scale, and put the entire section of the verse above on one side, it is equal in weight to the last little part, "and for them to learn the literature and language of the Chaldeans" (Dan. 1:4)
Alright, that is enough exegesis. What is the major principle that God wants us to learn from this passage?
First of all, these Israelites are being led into captivity! They are taken as prisoners into a Godless country, and who was chosen? Out of all of the people, Daniel was one of the chosen children. How did Daniel live his life of service to the Babylonians? He refused to compromise his relationship with God, his identity as a Hebrew and Israelite, and his commitment to honoring God in front of the Babylonians, in every situation in his …show more content…
1:4)?
This selection was ordained by YaHWeH Himself. Daniel was committed to God's glory in every situation, and it was no accident that God placed him into a high place in Babylonian society and government. Daniel was a "city set on a hill" (Matthew 5:14), letting his light shine into all the country.
Today, in our lives and in our everyday situations, how we honor God, and how committed we are to His glory is going to dictate where God places us, and how He allows us to serve Him. Do we practice prudence? Yes! Do we work hard to excel in school and everyday life? Yes! Do we dedicate ourselves to lifelong learning and growing? Yes!
However, the focus of the verse seems to be God's sovereignty, and provision. If we are dedicated to glorifying Him, He is going to "set [us] on our hill" (Matthew 5:14) as He already has.
How we honor Him and dedicate ourselves to Him determines how much we will be used for His
There appear to be four qualities that the Kӑsdīm (Chaldeans) were looking for, among the Hebrew captives, to work in the King's palace:
Physical attractiveness
Application of Knowledge (Prudence and wisdom)
Knowledge/teachability
Strength/aptitude
Most translations do not translate the last quality as strength, as in the King James Version. They translate it as, "and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace" (Daniel 1:4). This seems like a logical way to translate the word "Koaḥ" from the Hebrew. However, it is important for the student …show more content…
One of the things that I have noted when translating the verse is that most of the verse, "children that do not have any defect, and are good-looking || who are prudent in all wisdom || knowledgeable, and discerning knowledge/information || and who possess strength/aptitude" (Daniel 1:4), all seem to be qualities that the young men need in order "to hold a position in the King's palace" (Daniel 1:4). The last part of the verse marks the logical midpoint. For example, if you had a scale, and put the entire section of the verse above on one side, it is equal in weight to the last little part, "and for them to learn the literature and language of the Chaldeans" (Dan. 1:4)
Alright, that is enough exegesis. What is the major principle that God wants us to learn from this passage?
First of all, these Israelites are being led into captivity! They are taken as prisoners into a Godless country, and who was chosen? Out of all of the people, Daniel was one of the chosen children. How did Daniel live his life of service to the Babylonians? He refused to compromise his relationship with God, his identity as a Hebrew and Israelite, and his commitment to honoring God in front of the Babylonians, in every situation in his …show more content…
1:4)?
This selection was ordained by YaHWeH Himself. Daniel was committed to God's glory in every situation, and it was no accident that God placed him into a high place in Babylonian society and government. Daniel was a "city set on a hill" (Matthew 5:14), letting his light shine into all the country.
Today, in our lives and in our everyday situations, how we honor God, and how committed we are to His glory is going to dictate where God places us, and how He allows us to serve Him. Do we practice prudence? Yes! Do we work hard to excel in school and everyday life? Yes! Do we dedicate ourselves to lifelong learning and growing? Yes!
However, the focus of the verse seems to be God's sovereignty, and provision. If we are dedicated to glorifying Him, He is going to "set [us] on our hill" (Matthew 5:14) as He already has.
How we honor Him and dedicate ourselves to Him determines how much we will be used for His