Lexical Summary Ashpenaz: Ashpenaz Original Word: אַשְׁפְּנַז Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ashpenaz Of foreign origin; Ashpenaz, a Babylonian eunuch -- Ashpenaz. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition a Bab. eunuch NASB Translation Ashpenaz (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַשְׁמְּנַז proper name, masculine the רַבסָֿרִיסִים, chief of eunuchs, of Nebuchadrezzar Daniel 1:3 (meaning unknown). Topical Lexicon Historical BackgroundAshpenaz served in the early sixth century B.C. under Nebuchadnezzar II after the first deportation of Judah. As chief of the court officials (often rendered “chief eunuch”), he was responsible for selecting and training promising captives for service in the Babylonian palace. Position and Responsibilities • Selecting youths of royal or noble lineage “without blemish, handsome, proficient in all wisdom” (Daniel 1:3 – 4). Interaction with Daniel and His Companions “Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility” (Daniel 1:3). God granted Daniel “favor and compassion from the chief official” (Daniel 1:9). Although initially fearful of disobeying the king, Ashpenaz allowed a ten-day dietary test, proving more advantageous than the royal provisions (Daniel 1:10 – 16). By permitting this, he unwittingly preserved the covenant faithfulness of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Character and Leadership Qualities • Fair-minded: open to rational appeal rather than rigidly enforcing policy. Theological Significance 1. Divine Sovereignty: The Lord directs even pagan administrators to accomplish His will (Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 1:9). Practical Ministry Applications • Engage secular authority respectfully while holding firm convictions (Daniel’s appeal to Ashpenaz). Related Texts and Themes Isaiah 39:7 anticipates Judean youths serving as eunuchs in Babylon, matching the scene governed by Ashpenaz. Joseph’s favor under Egyptian officials (Genesis 39:2 – 4, 21 – 23) parallels Daniel’s experience, highlighting a recurring biblical motif of faithful exiles prospering through God-granted favor. Extra-Biblical Note Babylonian tablets refer to a “rab ša rēši” (chief eunuch), corroborating the existence of such an office. Although Ashpenaz himself is not yet attested archaeologically, his title aligns with known court structures. Legacy Mentioned only once by name, Ashpenaz nonetheless occupies a pivotal role: through his oversight, Daniel and his friends rose to prominence, their integrity vindicated before kings, and their testimony recorded for the edification of God’s people throughout the ages. Forms and Transliterations לְאַשְׁפְּנַ֖ז לאשפנז lə’ašpənaz lə·’aš·pə·naz leashpeNazLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 1:3 HEB: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ לְאַשְׁפְּנַ֖ז רַ֣ב סָרִיסָ֑יו NAS: ordered Ashpenaz, the chief KJV: spake unto Ashpenaz the master INT: ordered the king Ashpenaz the chief of his officials 1 Occurrence |
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