The Church Fathers on this verse

Daniel 1:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And the king appointed them a daily provision, of his own meat, and of the wine of which he drank himself, that being nourished three years, afterwards they might stand before the king.

Douay-Rheims

וַיְמַן֩ לָהֶ֨ם הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ דְּבַר־י֣וֹם בְּיוֹמ֗וֹ מִפַּת־בַּ֤ג הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וּמִיֵּ֣ין מִשְׁתָּ֔יו וּֽלְגַדְּלָ֖ם שָׁנִ֣ים שָׁל֑וֹשׁ וּמִ֨קְצָתָ֔ם יַֽעַמְד֖וּ לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

In this passage, the Prophet illustrates the king's generosity by providing them not with menial sustenance, fit only for captives, but with the royal feast instead. Shortly thereafter, he exemplified his own self-control and wisdom alongside his companions, choosing not to indulge in greed but instead offering beneficial guidance to those eager to learn. This humble perspective is evident in the Prophet's approach; after stating that the king had ordered the selection of young men from his own lineage, noted for their beauty and stature, he refers only to the tribe of Judah, subtly omitting their connection to the royal bloodline.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.