Daniel 1

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

Jehoiakim, also sometimes spelled Jehoikim was the eighteenth and antepenultimate King of Judah from 609 to 598 BC. In 605 BC, Nebuchadnezzar II besieged Jerusalem and Jehoiakim changed allegiances to avoid the destruction of Jerusalem. He paid tribute from the treasury in Jerusalem, some temple artifacts, and handed over some of the royal family and nobility as hostages, and Daniel is described as being one of these hostages.

2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels* of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

• by definition: furniture, instrument, jewel,
• These vessels were part of the sacred artifacts used in worship and service ( brazen laver, the table of show bread, the menorah and many others) in the temple of YHVH. When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Jerusalem, he took these holy items back to Babylon and placed them in the temple of his own god, symbolizing the subjugation of the God of Israel to the Babylonian gods.

3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz (Horse face) the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;

4 Children in whom was no blemish, (physical defect) but well favored, (comely, handsome) and skillful in all wisdom,(training) and cunning in knowledge, (intelligent) and understanding science, (consciousness) and such as had ability in them to stand (capacity, means, produce) in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning (writings) and the tongue (language) of the Chaldeans.

The way to “grease the wheels” after taking over another country? Assimilation facilitated by their own people. This was a very common practice then and still holds true today. Reshaping the mindset is a popular thing for Satan and his minions. This is why Paul urges us to be “continually washing your mind with the word”.

5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. (getting the best treatment)

6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel,(judge of God) Hananiah, (Yah has favored.) Mishael, (who (or) what is God) and Azariah: (Yah has helped.)

7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs (Ole Horseface) gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar;( and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

The Devil is on a constant mission to destroy the “you” that God created. Look at the name changes. The name “Belteshazzar” is likely derived from the Akkadian language and is thought to mean “Ba’al protect his life” or “Ba’al’s prince.”

• Shazzar: Related to protection or preservation.
• Ba’al: A title meaning “lord” and often associated with the chief Babylonian god, Marduk.
• Te: A linking element.

One common interpretation is that “Shadrach” is related to the Babylonian god Marduk. The name is thought to be derived from “Šudur Anu,” which means “command of Anu” or “Anu has exalted.” Anu is the Babylonian moon god. This was the same Anu that brought about the Anunnaki or “The Sons of Anak.”

• Judges 1:20 “And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.”
• Numbers 13:33 “And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”

“Meshach” is derived from the Akkadian “Mî-ša-anu,” which means “Who or what is Anu?” The name “Abednego” is generally understood to be of Babylonian origin and is thought to mean “servant of Nabu.”

• Abed: This part of the name is derived from the Akkadian word “abdu,” meaning “servant.”
• Nego: This part is generally associated with the Babylonian god Nabu (also spelled Nebo), the god of wisdom and writing.

This the background and context behind the meaning in Revelation 3:12 “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.“

8 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.

The Babylonians worshiped a pantheon of gods, with Marduk being the chief deity. During major festivals, such as the Akitu (New Year Festival), elaborate rituals and sacrifices were performed, including processions, prayers, and offerings to Marduk and other gods to ensure the well-being and prosperity of the land and its people.

• Animal Sacrifices: Livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle were commonly sacrificed. These animals were often ritually slaughtered, and their blood was used in ceremonies.
• Food Offerings: Offerings of grains, fruits, vegetables, and other food items were made. Bread, beer, and other prepared foods were also common.
• Drink Offerings: Libations of water, wine, and other beverages were poured out as offerings.
• Incense: Burning incense was a significant part of the rituals, symbolizing prayers and offerings ascending to the gods.
• Statues and Idols: Offerings were often made to statues or idols representing the gods in temples.

1 Samuel 5:1-6 “And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod. When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the Lord. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon’s house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day. But the hand of the Lord was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.”

9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour (kindness) and tender love (compassion) with the prince of the eunuchs. (Ole Horseface)

10 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.

Funny thing about false doctrines, only those sold out to them cannot see the devastation it creates, and only focus therein is towards those activities that deflect the remorse found in disobedience. As servants of the false doctrine they seem to thrive on shame which is our spiritual bondage (Adam & Eve). The same is found in modern Catholicism; miss the mass and you are on your way to hell, If you fail to dip, dodge, dive or duck during the mass and you are a heathen. Botch Christmas or Easter and you have failed as a Catholic. Faith through fearmongering.

Genesis 3:10 “And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Adam was without spiritual covering because of his sin.

11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, (more of a title = Butler) whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse* to eat, and water to drink.

• זֵרָעֹן zera`on (zay-raw-ohn’) something sown (only in the plural), i.e. a vegetable (as food).

13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.

I would contest that this same test would prove the same results to this very day. Problem is: we have been trained to eat otherwise. Social Media is packed with Health and Fitness gurus pitching everything from fat burners to magic mushrooms. If we “tended the ground” like we should we would have the foods we need for a perfect wellness program. Foods can kill and they can heal!

16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

• Psalm 119:2 “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. [the name “Nebuchadnezzar” reflects a prayer or invocation for the god Nabu to protect or preserve the king’s lineage or dominion.]

19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. (559 BCE)

Believe it or not…. we are deeply entrenched in Babylon. The society at large is begging for the next tradition-of-men to start so they can complete their oblation. If you are not in-tune with the latest sporting event (Greek gods) or the current scorecard on the Super Heroes (Akkadian/Sumerian gods) activities then you have nothing to talk about at the water cooler. Most major corporations have logos that express paganism from thousands of years ago and no one knows any better. It is in the knowing that we come to the realization we are at war with a beast we are ill equipped to fight.

• Jude 10-11 “But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.”