אַשְׁפְּנַז (ash.pe.naz)
ash.pe.naz
Ashpenaz
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Ashpenaz appears only once in Scripture, at Daniel 1:3, where he is identified as the chief eunuch serving King Nebuchadnezzar. This single mention places him at the center of the initial conflict between the young Hebrew captives and the Babylonian court’s authority.
Lexical sources offer a speculative etymology for the name, suggesting it might mean "I will make prominent the sprinkled," though its precise meaning remains unknown. As the official in charge of training the royal youth, Ashpenaz represents the imperial power that sought to assimilate Daniel and his friends into Babylonian culture.
His role is significant not for personal actions but for the setting he provides. He is the gatekeeper who grants access to the king’s food and education, creating the specific pressure under which Daniel demonstrates his faithfulness. The name itself serves as a reminder of the foreign power structure that the Hebrew exiles had to navigate.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ashpenaz appears only once in the Bible, at Daniel 1:3. He is the chief eunuch serving King Nebuchadnezzar, tasked with training young captives from Israel. This single mention places him at the center of the initial conflict between the Hebrew exiles and Babylonian authority. His role is significant not for personal actions but for the setting he provides.
Ashpenaz represents the imperial power that sought to assimilate Daniel and his friends into Babylonian culture. As the official in charge of their education and diet, he controls the resources necessary for their survival and advancement in a foreign land. This creates the specific pressure under which Daniel demonstrates his faithfulness to God.
For your life today, this story reminds us that we often serve under authorities or systems that do not share our values. Like Daniel, you may face situations where cultural pressures try to shape your identity. The example of Ashpenaz highlights the tension between fitting in and staying true to your faith. It invites you to trust God’s provision even when the structures around you seem overwhelming.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ Ashpenaz1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/אַשְׁפְּנַ֖ז1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 1:3
The king spoke to Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring in some of the children of Israel, even of the royal offspring and of the nobles:
This verse introduces Ashpenaz as the master of eunuchs, establishing his authority over the young captives and setting the stage for their test of faithfulness.