Daniel 1:8-10

Daniel and his companions crave to be allowed not to use the provision supplied from the royal table. The meat might be that of animals not slaughtered in the proper manner (Deuteronomy 12:23-24), or of animals prohibited to the Jews as food (Leviticus 11:4-7; Leviticus 11:10-12; Leviticus 13-19, Leviticus 13:20); while both the meat and the wine might have been consecrated to the Babylonian gods by portions having been offered to them in sacrifice, so that to partake of either would be tantamount to the recognition of a heathen deity (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:20; 1 Corinthians 10:27-29). The Jews, especially in later times, attached great importance to the dietary laws, and were also very scrupulous in avoiding acts which, even indirectly, might seem to imply the recognition of a heathen deity. Antiochus Epiphanes, in his endeavour (b.c. 168) to Hellenize the Jews, sought to compel them both to sacrifice to heathen deities and to partake of unclean food; and resistance to his edict was a point on which the utmost stress was laid by the loyal Jews (1Ma 1:47-48; 1Ma 1:62-63; cf. 2Ma 6:18 ff; 2Ma 7:1). Comp. also 2Ma 5:27; Add. to Esther 14:17; Jdt 12:1-2 (see Daniel 10:5); Tob 1:10-11 (where Tobit says that when he and his companions were taken captive to Nineveh, -all my brethren and those that were of my kindred did eat of the bread of the Gentiles, but I kept myself from eating"). Josephus (Vita3) speaks of certain priests who, being sent to Rome, partook on religious grounds of nothing but figs and nuts. For the abrogation of the principle, in the new dispensation, see Mark 7:19 (R.V.), Acts 10:9-16, comparing, however, also, 1 Corinthians 8:4-13.

with the king's delicacies] as Daniel 1:5.

purposed in his heart lit. laid(it) on his heart, i.e. gave heed (Isaiah 47:7; Isaiah 57:11; Malachi 2:2). -Purposed" is too strong.