Daniel 1:13 Then compare our appearances with those of the young men who are eating the royal food, and deal with your servants according to what you see."

◄ Daniel 1:13 ►

New International Version
Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”

New Living Translation
“At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.”

English Standard Version
Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then compare our appearances with those of the young men who are eating the royal food, and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”

New American Standard Bible
Then let our appearance be examined in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

NASB 1995
“Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

NASB 1977
“Then let our appearance be observed in your presence, and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then let our appearance be observed before you and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

Amplified Bible
Then let our appearance and the appearance of the young men who eat the king’s finest food be observed and compared by you, and deal with your servants in accordance with what you see.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then examine our appearance and the appearance of the young men who are eating the king’s food, and deal with your servants based on what you see.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then examine our appearance and the appearance of the young men who are eating the king’s food, and deal with your servants based on what you see.”

American Standard Version
Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king's dainties; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

Contemporary English Version
When the ten days are up, compare how we look with the other young men, and decide what to do with us."

English Revised Version
Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king's meat; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then compare us to the young men who are eating the king's rich food. Decide how to treat us on the basis of how we look."

Good News Translation
Then compare us with the young men who are eating the food of the royal court, and base your decision on how we look."

International Standard Version
Then compare how we look with the young men who ate the king's rich food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you observe."

Majority Standard Bible
Then compare our appearances with those of the young men who are eating the royal food, and deal with your servants according to what you see.?

NET Bible
Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who are eating the royal delicacies; deal with us in light of what you see."

New Heart English Bible
Then let our faces be looked on before you, and the face of the youths who eat of the king's royal food; and as you see, deal with your servants."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenances of the children that eat of the portion of the king's provision: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

World English Bible
Then let our faces be examined before you, and the face of the youths who eat of the king’s delicacies; and as you see, deal with your servants.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and our appearance is seen before you, and the appearance of the boys who are eating the king’s portion of food, and as you see—deal with your servants.”

Young's Literal Translation
and our appearance is seen before thee, and the appearance of the lads who are eating the king's portion of food, and as thou seest -- deal with thy servants.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And our aspects shall be seen before thee, and the aspect of the children eating the king's dainties: and according to what thou shalt see, do with thy servants.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And look upon our faces, and the faces of the children that eat of the king's meat: and as thou shalt see, deal with thy servants.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and then observe our faces, and the faces of the children who eat the king’s food, and then deal with your servants according to what you see.”

New American Bible
Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men who eat from the royal table, and treat your servants according to what you see.”

New Revised Standard Version
You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to what you observe.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then let our appearance and the appearance of the boys who eat of the king's delicacies be examined; and as you see, deal with your servants.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you shall see our complexion and the complexion of the boys who eat of the delicacies of the King, and according to what you see, so do with your Servants”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king's food; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And let our countenances be seen by thee, and the countenances of the children that eat at the king's table; and deal with thy servants according as thou shalt see.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Daniel's Faithfulness
…12“Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13Then compare our appearances with those of the young men who are eating the royal food, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” 14So he consented to this and tested them for ten days.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Genesis 39:3-4
When his master saw that the LORD was with him and made him prosper in all he did, / Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned.

Genesis 41:38-40
So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?” / Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. / You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Exodus 23:25
So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take away sickness from among you.

1 Samuel 16:12-13
So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

1 Kings 10:8
How blessed are your men! How blessed are these servants of yours who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!

2 Kings 25:29-30
So Jehoiachin changed out of his prison clothes, and he dined regularly at the king’s table for the rest of his life. / And the king provided Jehoiachin a daily portion for the rest of his life.

Psalm 1:3
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Proverbs 3:4
Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

Isaiah 58:6-8
Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? / Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:16-18
When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Luke 2:52
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Treasury of Scripture

Then let our countenances be looked on before you, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as you see, deal with your servants.

no references for this verse

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Daniel 1

1. Jehoiakim's captivity.
3. Ashpenaz takes Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
8. They refusing the king's portion do prosper with pulse and water.
17. Their proficiency in wisdom.

Berean Study Bible

Then compare
The phrase "then compare" suggests a test or evaluation. In the Hebrew context, the word used here implies a careful examination or judgment. Daniel is confident in God's provision and is willing to be scrutinized. This reflects a deep faith in God's ability to sustain and bless those who are faithful to Him. It also highlights the importance of discernment and the willingness to stand by one's convictions even under pressure.

our appearance
The term "appearance" in Hebrew can refer to both physical looks and overall health. Daniel is not just concerned with superficial looks but with the holistic well-being that comes from following God's dietary laws. This underscores the biblical principle that obedience to God leads to true health and vitality, both physically and spiritually.

with that of the young men
The "young men" refers to the other captives who were part of the Babylonian training program. Historically, these were likely noble youths from various conquered nations, chosen for their potential to serve in the king's court. This comparison sets the stage for demonstrating the superiority of God's ways over the pagan practices of the Babylonians.

who eat the royal food
The "royal food" was likely rich and luxurious, symbolizing the wealth and power of the Babylonian empire. However, it was also food that had been offered to idols, which would defile a devout Jew like Daniel. This highlights the tension between living in a pagan culture and maintaining one's faith. Daniel's refusal to partake in this food is a powerful testament to his commitment to God's laws.

and treat your servants
By referring to themselves as "your servants," Daniel shows humility and respect towards the Babylonian officials. This approach reflects the biblical principle of being wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). Daniel's respectful demeanor, even while making a stand, is a model for how believers can navigate challenging situations with grace and wisdom.

according to what you see
This phrase emphasizes the importance of evidence-based judgment. Daniel is confident that the results of their diet will speak for themselves. It reflects a faith that is not blind but is willing to be tested and proven. This is a call for believers to live lives that visibly reflect the transformative power of God's principles, so that others may see and be drawn to the truth.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 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. The Septuagint Version here differs considerably from the Massoretic text; it is as follows: "And should our countenance appear more downcast than (διατετραμμένη παρὰ) those other youths who eat of the royal feast, according as thou seest good (θέλῃς), so deal with thy servants." In the text before the Septuagint translator לְפָנִיך (l'phaneka), "before thee," is omitted, and instead of מַרְאֵה (mareh)," appearance," is read זְלֺעַפִים (zo'aphim), and after is inserted מִן (min), "from," the sign of the comparative, equivalent to "than." Theodotion, Jerome, and the Peshitta represent accurately the Massoretic text. Against the Septuagint reading is the fact that in the Massoretic, marayeeaen is construed a singular, but in Ezekiel 15:10 it is plural. The vocalization of tirayh, "thou shalt see," is Aramaean, and therefore confirms the idea that this chapter is a translation in which the original shines through. The reading of the Septuagint implies that a different meaning must be put on the last clause from that in the English Version. It means that, should the experiment prove a failure, they were willing to suffer any punishment that the official in question saw good. Such an interference with the arrangements of the king would be a crime to be punished with stripes. Although a perfectly consistent sense can be brought from the text behind the Septuagint, yet, from the fact that the phrase, לֺזְעַפִים מִן־חַיְלָדִים (zo'apheem min-hay'ladeem), occurs in the tenth verse, and therefore may be repeated here by accident, we would not definitely prefer it. Further, the Massoretic text follows more naturally from the context. Let the steward see the result of the experiment after ten days, and, as he sees, so let him judge and act. Daniel and his companions leave the matter thus really in the hands of Providence.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then compare
וְיֵרָא֤וּ (wə·yê·rā·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

our appearances
מַרְאֵ֔ינוּ (mar·’ê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 4758: Sight, appearance, vision

with those
וּמַרְאֵה֙ (ū·mar·’êh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4758: Sight, appearance, vision

of the young men
הַיְלָדִ֔ים (hay·lā·ḏîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3206: Something born, a lad, offspring

who are eating
הָאֹ֣כְלִ֔ים (hā·’ō·ḵə·lîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

the royal
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

food,
פַּתְבַּ֣ג (paṯ·baḡ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6598: Portion, delicacies

and deal
עֲשֵׂ֖ה (‘ă·śêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

your servants
עֲבָדֶֽיךָ׃ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

according to what
וְכַאֲשֶׁ֣ר (wə·ḵa·’ă·šer)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you see.”
תִּרְאֵ֔ה (tir·’êh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

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OT Prophets: Daniel 1:13 Then let our faces be looked (Dan. Da Dn)