Ashpenaz

Overview

• Testament: Old
• Role: Master of Nebuchadnezzar’s eunuchs
• Family: Servant of the king of Babylon
• Key Books: Daniel

Biography

Ashpenaz was the prince (or master) of the eunuchs whom Nebuchadnezzar charged to bring in certain children of Israel, of the royal seed and nobles, to be trained for the king’s palace. He set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah and assigned them the king’s meat and wine. When Daniel purposed not to defile himself, God brought him into favour and tender love with Ashpenaz, though the prince feared for his own life before the king if the youths appeared worse than the others.

Key Events

• Selection of the young captives — Ashpenaz brings in Daniel and his companions for the king’s service (Daniel 1:3-7).
• Daniel’s request honoured — through Ashpenaz’s favour, the test of pulse and water is allowed (Daniel 1:8-16).

Relationships

• Daniel — the captive he set under his charge
• Hananiah — one of the four Hebrew youths in his keeping
• Nebuchadnezzar — the king he served as master of the eunuchs

Important Verses

• Daniel 1:9 — “God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.”
• Daniel 1:11 — Daniel appeals to the steward Ashpenaz set over them.

Cross-References

• Mentioned in: Daniel

Notes

God’s hidden providence worked through Ashpenaz’s kindness, opening the way for Daniel’s faithfulness to be vindicated in Babylon.