Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names - This change of names, Calmet properly remarks, was a mark of dominion and authority. It was customary for masters to impose new names upon their slaves; and rulers often, on their ascending the throne, assumed a name different from that which they had before.
Daniel signifies "God is my Judge." This name they changed into Belteshatstsar ; in Chaldee, "The treasure of Bel," or "The despository of the secrets (or treasure) of Bel."
Hananiah signifies, "The Lord has been gracious to me," or "He to whom the Lord is gracious." This name was changed into Shadrach , Chaldee, which has been variously translated: "The inspiration of the sun;" "God the author of evil, be propitious to us;" "Let God preserve us from evil."
Mishael signifies "He who comes from God." Him they called Meshach , which in Chaldee signifies, "He who belongs to the goddess Sheshach," a celebrated deity of the Babylonians, mentioned by Jeremiah, Jeremiah 25:26.
Azariah , which signifies "The Lord is my Helper," they changed into Abed - Nego , which in Chaldee is "the servant of Nego," who was one of their divinities; by which they meant either the sun, or the morning star; whether Jupiter or Venus.
The vicious pronunciation of this name should be carefully avoided; I mean that which lays the accent on the first syllable, and hurries so the end, without attending to the natural division of the word Abed-Nego.
Other Adam Clarke entries containing Daniel 1:7:
2 Kings 23:34
Isaiah 39:6
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