Daniel 1:10

for why should i.e. -lest," which would in fact be the better rendering. The expression is the translation into Hebrew of the ordinary Aramaic idiom for -lest" (cf. Theod. μή ποτε).

worse liking An old English expression for -in worse condition." Cf. -well-liking" in Psalms 92:13, P. B. V.; properly -well-pleasing," i.e. in good condition; and 2 Hen. IV. iii. 2, 92, -You like well, and bear your years very well." The Heb. is zô-ǎphîm, -gloomy," -sad," in Genesis 40:6 used of Pharaoh's butler and baker, who were troubled mentally, here of the dejected appearance produced by insufficient nutriment. Theod. σκυθρωπά; cf. Matthew 6:16.

than the youths (Daniel 1:4) which are of your own age (R.V.); so should ye(Bevan) make my head a forfeit (lit. make my head guilty) to the king The two sentences might be rendered more concisely, - lest he see …, and ye make my head a forfeit," &c. The officer who had charge of the Hebrew youths dreaded his master's displeasure if he should see them thriving badly under his care.

age] The word (gîl), which occurs only here in the O. T., is found in the same sense in the Talmud (Levy, NHWB[185] i. 324); and in Samaritan, as Genesis 6:9; Genesis 15:16; Genesis 17:12, and often (not always), for the Heb. dôr(-generation").

[185] HWB.M. Levy, Neuhebräisches und Chaldäisches Wörterbuch, 1876 89.