The Meaning of Daniel 1:15 Explained

Daniel 1:15

KJV: 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.

YLT: and at the end of ten days their appearance hath appeared better and fatter in flesh then any of the lads who are eating the king's portion of food.

Darby: And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and were fatter in flesh than all the youths that ate of the king's delicate food.

ASV: And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths that did eat of the king's dainties.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Daniel 1:15 Mean?

Context Summary

Daniel 1:1-21 - Moral Courage Rewarded
These young men of noble Jewish families were brought to Babylon to receive education for the civil service. Their names were altered to break, so far as possible, their connection with the past. The food provided probably contravened Leviticus 3:17. According to the usual custom it had been presented before an idol, 1 Corinthians 8:10. Note those words: Daniel purposed in his heart. It is all important to resolve in one's heart that certain things are not possible for us. Too many of us have a secret reserve. We barricade the front door but leave the back door on the latch. We ought to realize the extent to which Paul referred when he said, "dead to sin." God always cooperates with His servants when they are true to Him. He brought Daniel into favor; He gave him skill; He caused his face and that of his three friends, to bear the hue of health. Let us trust Him to do His part! This is the secret of continuance, Daniel 1:21. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Daniel 1:15 mean?

And at the end of days ten appeared their features better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate - the portion of delicacies of the king
וּמִקְצָת֙ יָמִ֣ים עֲשָׂרָ֔ה נִרְאָ֤ה מַרְאֵיהֶם֙ ט֔וֹב וּבְרִיאֵ֖י בָּשָׂ֑ר מִן־ כָּל־ הַיְלָדִ֔ים הָאֹ֣כְלִ֔ים אֵ֖ת פַּתְבַּ֥ג הַמֶּֽלֶךְ

וּמִקְצָת֙  And  at  the  end 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: קְצָת  
Sense: end, part.
יָמִ֣ים  of  days 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
עֲשָׂרָ֔ה  ten 
Parse: Number, masculine singular
Root: עֶשֶׂר 
Sense: ten.
נִרְאָ֤ה  appeared 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
מַרְאֵיהֶם֙  their  features 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: מַרְאֶה  
Sense: sight, appearance, vision.
ט֔וֹב  better 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
וּבְרִיאֵ֖י  and  fatter 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adjective, masculine plural construct
Root: בָּרִיא  
Sense: fat.
בָּשָׂ֑ר  in  flesh 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: בָּשָׂר  
Sense: flesh.
מִן־  than 
Parse: Preposition
Root: מִן 
Sense: from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than.
הַיְלָדִ֔ים  the  young  men 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: יֶלֶד  
Sense: child, son, boy, offspring, youth.
הָאֹ֣כְלִ֔ים  who  ate 
Parse: Article, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: אָכַל  
Sense: to eat, devour, burn up, feed.
אֵ֖ת  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
פַּתְבַּ֥ג  the  portion  of  delicacies 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פַּת־בַּג  
Sense: portion of food for king, delicacies.
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ  of  the  king 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.