Bible Strands
Daniel 1:7
The chief official gave them new names: To Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chief official assigns new Babylonian names to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah immediately after their selection for royal service and before Daniel’s subsequent refusal to defile himself with the king’s provisions.
The words — שֵׁמ֑וֹת (shemot) = names and וַ/יָּ֧שֶׂם (va/i.Ya.sem) = and he assigned, denoting the official act of renaming as a deliberate administrative imposition.
The thread — The renamed titles recur in Daniel 4:8 and 5:12 when the king appeals to Belteshazzar’s wisdom, and in Daniel 2:49 when the king elevates Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to provincial administration.
Why it lands — The text records a political renaming that replaces Hebrew identities with Babylonian ones to secure loyalty. The reader must observe how institutional power attempts to overwrite cultural and religious allegiance, and whether the original names and convictions survive the imposition.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs 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 Abed–nego.
Cross-references
- Daniel 5:12 did this because Daniel, the one he named Belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, as well as knowledge, understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Summon Daniel, therefore, and he will give you the interpretation.”
- Daniel 4:8 But at last, into my presence came Daniel (whose name is Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods). And I told him the dream:
- Daniel 2:49 And at Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court.
- 2 Kings 23:34 Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died.
- 2 Kings 24:17 Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah.
- Daniel 1:3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring in some Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—
- Genesis 41:45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah, and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph took charge of all the land of Egypt.
- Daniel 1:10 but he said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking thinner than those of the other young men your age? You would endanger my head before the king!”
- Daniel 2:26 The king responded to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to tell me what I saw in the dream, as well as its interpretation?”
- Daniel 3:12 But there are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—who have ignored you, O king, and have refused to serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”