Chapter Overview
Summary
Daniel 1 in the LXX/Theodotion is relatively close to the MT. Theodotion's version, which became the church standard, follows the MT closely. The Old Greek (OG) has minor differences in phrasing but the narrative structure is preserved.
Notable Variants
The OG has slight differences in the naming of the chief eunuch and in the description of the youths' diet. Theodotion aligns closely with the MT throughout.
Structural Notes
Both Greek versions preserve the 21-verse structure of the MT.
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against Jerusalem and laid siege to it.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the vessels from the house of God. He brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.
Masoretic (WLC)
אֲדֹנָי
the Lord
Septuagint (LXX)
κύριος (kyrios)
the Lord
Both OG and Theodotion render Adonai as kyrios. No meaningful difference.
The king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites — from the royal family and from the nobility —
Masoretic (WLC)
רַב סָרִיסָיו
the chief of his eunuchs
Septuagint (LXX)
τῷ ἀρχιευνούχῳ αὐτοῦ
his chief eunuch
Greek uses a compound word archieunouchos rather than a construct phrase. Same meaning.
young men without any physical defect, good-looking, proficient in all wisdom, knowledgeable and discerning, and with the ability to serve in the king's palace — and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.
Masoretic (WLC)
יְלָדִים
youths
Septuagint (LXX)
παιδάρια (paidaria)
young boys
Theodotion uses paidaria (young boys); the OG uses neaniskous (young men). The MT yěladim can mean either.
The king assigned them a daily portion from the king's own food and from the wine he drank, to be trained for three years, after which they would enter the king's service.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Among them, from the tribe of Judah, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
Masoretic (WLC)
בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר
Belteshazzar
Septuagint (LXX)
Βαλτασαρ (Baltasar)
Baltasar
Greek transliterations of the Babylonian names differ slightly from Hebrew forms. Theodotion: Daniel = Baltasar; OG similar.
Daniel resolved in his heart not to defile himself with the king's food or with the wine he drank, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself.
Masoretic (WLC)
וַיָּשֶׂם דָּנִיֵּאל עַל־לִבּוֹ
And Daniel purposed in his heart
Septuagint (LXX)
καὶ ἔθετο Δανιηλ ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ
And Daniel set it upon his heart
Literal Greek calque of the Hebrew idiom. Both mean 'resolved/determined.'
God granted Daniel favor and compassion before the chief official.
Masoretic (WLC)
חֶסֶד וְרַחֲמִים
faithful love and compassion
Septuagint (LXX)
εἰς ἔλεος καὶ οἰκτιρμόν
into mercy and compassion
LXX renders chesed as eleos (mercy), a standard equivalence throughout the Septuagint.
The chief official said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who assigned your food and drink. Why should he see your faces looking worse than the other young men your age? You would put my head in danger with the king."
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Then Daniel spoke to the steward whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
Masoretic (WLC)
הַמֶּלְצַר
the steward
Septuagint (LXX)
τῷ Αμελσαδ (to Amelsad)
Amelsad (proper name)
OG treats ham-meltsar as a proper name (Amelsad). Theodotion has Αμελσαρ. The MT likely intends a title ('the steward/guardian'), not a name.
"Please test your servants for ten days: let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the king's food, and deal with your servants according to what you see."
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
He agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
At the end of ten days, their appearance was healthier and they looked better nourished than all the young men who ate the king's food.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
So the steward removed their portion of royal food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables instead.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and insight in every branch of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had understanding in all kinds of visions and dreams.
Masoretic (WLC)
הָאֱלֹהִים נָתַן
God gave
Septuagint (LXX)
ὁ θεὸς ἔδωκεν
God gave
OG adds that Daniel was also given understanding in 'every word and vision' — a slight expansion over the MT and Theodotion.
When the appointed time set by the king had passed, the chief official brought them before Nebuchadnezzar.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
The king spoke with them, and among all the candidates none were found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the king's service.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
In every matter of wisdom and discernment that the king tested them on, he found them ten times superior to all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.
Masoretic (WLC)
עֶשֶׂר יָדוֹת
ten times
Septuagint (LXX)
δεκαπλασίως (dekaplasios)
ten times over
Greek uses a multiplicative adverb rather than the Hebrew idiom 'ten hands.'
And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Masoretic (WLC)
שְׁנַת אַחַת לְכוֹרֶשׁ
until the first year of Cyrus
Septuagint (LXX)
ἕως ἔτους πρώτου Κύρου
until the first year of Cyrus
Both traditions agree on this chronological note. OG phrasing is slightly different but the meaning is identical.