In brief
Ashpenaz is the chief of the eunuchs of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at the beginning of Judah's exile. The king charges him with choosing young Israelites of royal or noble families and training them for three years for the palace service. He is the one who gives Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah their Babylonian names. He is remembered above all because God made Daniel find kindness and compassion in his sight, even though he feared the king.
What does the name Ashpenaz mean?
The origin of the name Ashpenaz is uncertain. It is probably a foreign name, Babylonian or Persian, whose meaning is not established. The Bible does not explain it and names him only once, in Daniel 1:3. Through the rest of the chapter he is simply called the chief of the eunuchs.
The story of Ashpenaz
A mission from the king
Daniel 1:1-5In the third year of Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem. He orders Ashpenaz, chief of his eunuchs, to bring in young Israelites of royal or noble families, without defect, wise and educated. For three years they are to learn the language and literature of the Chaldeans, receiving every day a portion of the king's food and wine.
New names
Daniel 1:6-7Among these young men are Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, of the tribe of Judah. The chief of the eunuchs gives them new names: Daniel becomes Belteshazzar, Hananiah Shadrach, Mishael Meshach and Azariah Abednego. The text reports this change without comment, but it marks the entry of these young men into the culture of Babylon.
Favor that comes from God
Daniel 1:8-9Daniel resolves not to defile himself with the king's food and wine, and he asks the chief of the eunuchs not to force him. The text then states: “God made Daniel find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs.” Ashpenaz's goodwill is presented as the work of God, not as mere chance.
The fear of a king's servant
Daniel 1:10Ashpenaz does not hide his anxiety. He fears the king, who has fixed what the young men must eat and drink. If their faces look worse than those of other youths their age, he risks his own head. His answer shows the pressure on him, even though he does not turn Daniel away harshly.
The ten-day test
Daniel 1:11-16Daniel then turns to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had put in charge of the four young men. He proposes a ten-day test with vegetables and water. At the end of that time they look better than all who eat the king's food, and the steward keeps giving them vegetables.
Presented to the king
Daniel 1:17-20God gives the four young men knowledge, skill and wisdom. At the appointed time, the chief of the eunuchs presents them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king finds none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, and judges them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom. They are then admitted to the king's service.
What Ashpenaz teaches us
- God can turn the hearts of those in authority toward his children.
- A leader who does not know God may be kind and still remain a prisoner of his own fears.
- Daniel's faithfulness is expressed with respect: he asks, proposes a solution and does not despise the one in authority.
- The names and culture imposed on us do not change the identity God gives us.
Key verses
The central verse on Ashpenaz: the kindness and compassion Daniel finds with the chief of the eunuchs come from God. The Lord works even in the hearts of Babylon's officials.
The chief of the eunuchs gives the four young Jews Babylonian names. This verse shows Babylon's wish to absorb them into its culture, while their faithfulness to God remains.
“When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” The story of Daniel and Ashpenaz illustrates this principle in the midst of exile.
Bible verses to meditate on
Sermons about Ashpenaz
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ashpenaz in the Bible?
Ashpenaz was the chief of the eunuchs of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. The king charged him with choosing and training young noble Israelites for the palace service. He gave Daniel and his three friends their Babylonian names, and God made Daniel find kindness and compassion in his sight (Daniel 1:3-9).
Did Ashpenaz help Daniel?
The text says that God made Daniel find kindness and compassion in his sight. Ashpenaz listens to Daniel but voices his fear of the king and gives no explicit consent. Daniel then proposes the ten-day test to the steward under the chief of the eunuchs' authority, who accepts it. At the appointed time, Ashpenaz presents the young men to the king.
Where is Ashpenaz found in the Bible?
Ashpenaz is named in Daniel 1:3, and the rest of the chapter speaks of him by the title of chief of the eunuchs (verses 7 to 11 and 18). Read all of chapter 1 to follow his role, from the selection of the young Israelites to their presentation before Nebuchadnezzar.