Illustration created for this project.
Ashpenaz
The Babylonian official who oversaw Daniel and his companions in the king's service.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1
Origin & birthplace
Name & titles
ScholarlyAshpenaz is a non-Semitic personal name of uncertain, much-debated etymology, often explained through Iranian elements and consistent with the foreign, Babylonian-court setting of Daniel 1. The name is not independently attested in cuneiform or other epigraphic sources.
Onomastic discussion in Daniel commentaries (e.g. Collins, Daniel, Hermeneia); etymology remains unresolved and the individual has no external attestation.
Where in scripture
DanielThe 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;
Daniel 1:3 — Master of the eunuchs
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
Places in their life
Photo: David Stanley — CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)