Daniel 1:7

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.

Daniel 1:7 (KJV)

Context

Daniel 1 opens the Book of Daniel by placing its readers in the Babylonian exile. Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and carried off a group of young Israelites, including Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, to serve in his court. The prince of the eunuchs, Ashpenaz, was appointed to oversee their training and well-being.

Meaning

In this verse, Ashpenaz gives new names to the four captives. In the ancient Near East, a name was not merely a label; it carried meaning and expressed identity and allegiance. By renaming them, the Babylonians sought to reshape the young men’s identities and transfer their loyalty from the God of Israel to Babylonian deities.

Daniel, whose Hebrew name means “God is my judge,” was renamed Belteshazzar, a name associated with the Babylonian god Bel. Hananiah, meaning “Yahweh is gracious,” became Shadrach. Mishael, meaning “Who is like God?” became Meshach. Azariah, meaning “Yahweh has helped,” became Abednego. The exact meanings of the new names are uncertain, but they likely honored Babylonian gods.

Application

The renaming of Daniel and his friends illustrates how worldly systems often try to redefine who we are. Believers today may face pressure to adopt values and identities that conflict with their faith in God. Daniel’s example encourages us to remember that our true identity is found in God, not in the labels others give us.

Reflection

God’s sovereignty is evident in this verse. Though the Babylonians changed the names of these young men, God was still at work in their lives. He later elevated them to positions of influence, demonstrating that no human attempt to control or rename His people can thwart His plans.