Melzar מֶלְצָר
Babylonian official in charge of Daniel and his friends.
Who is Melzar in the Bible?
Melzar was a Babylonian official appointed by Ashpenaz, the chief eunuch, to oversee Daniel and his three companions during their captivity in Babylon (Dan. 1:11). Serving as steward, Melzar was responsible for providing the young Hebrew men with their daily provisions and monitoring their well-being. When Daniel requested a diet of vegetables and water instead of the king's rich food and wine, Melzar initially feared that such a plain diet would cause them to appear malnourished and endanger his own life before the king (Dan. 1:11). However, he agreed to a ten-day test, and when Daniel and his friends proved healthier than those eating the royal diet, Melzar permitted them to continue with their chosen provisions (Dan. 1:16). Melzar's willingness to accommodate Daniel's request becomes significant as it demonstrates how God can work through even pagan officials to sustain his faithful servants.
Biography
Melzar, also referred to as "the steward," was a Babylonian official appointed by Ashpenaz, the chief eunuch, to oversee Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Dan.1.11). He was responsible for providing them with their daily provisions and monitoring their well-being. When Daniel requested a diet of vegetables and water instead of the king's food and wine, Melzar initially hesitated, fearing for his own life if the young men's appearance suffered (Dan.1.11). However, he agreed to a ten-day test, and when Daniel and his friends appeared healthier than those who ate the king's food, Melzar allowed them to continue with their chosen diet (Dan.1.16).
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentDaniel 2 verses
- Daniel 1:11
"Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,"
Study Daniel → - Daniel 1:16
"So the steward continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and he gave them vegetables instead."
Study Daniel →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | מֶלְצָר |
Melzar
ible:Dan.1.11">Da 1:11 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "the steward," margin "Hebrew: Hammelzar"). It has been suggested that the name is not the name of a person, but denotes the office of guardian, like the Babylonian maccaru. In this case the "l" would come by dissimulation from the first of the two "s" sounds, which on its side has come from an assimilated "n", the root being nacaru, "to protect" "to guard."
R. Dick Wilson
mam, mem "m" : The 13th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "m". It came also to be used for the number 40.
See ALPHABET, for name, etc.
m