“Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.” Daniel 1:6-7
Through the Bible: Daniel 1-3
Names and languages fascinate me, and Daniel 1 is a masterclass in how culture uses them as weapons. The Babylonians didn’t just capture bodies—they tried to rename identities. In this, you see the subtle, demonic, and crushingly effective strategy of the Enemy.
Hebrew Names vs. Babylonian Names
Each of these four young men carried a name that pointed back to the God of Israel:
- Daniel — “God is my Judge” → renamed Belteshazzar (“Bel protect his life”).
- Hananiah — “Yahweh is gracious” → renamed Shadrach (“Command of Aku”).
- Mishael — “Who is what God is?” → renamed Meshach (“Who is what Aku is?”).
- Azariah — “Yahweh has helped” → renamed Abednego (“Servant of Nebo”).
Here’s a pro tip: if a Hebrew name has “el” (Elijah, Ezekiel, Daniel), it points to El, the Hebrew word for God. If it has “yah” (Jeremiah, Micah, Zechariah), it’s rooted in Yahweh. Babylon flipped the script—names with Bel, Aku, or Nebo linked these exiles to foreign gods.
The Babylonian Indoctrination Program
Changing names was just one piece of the strategy. Daniel 1:3–5 outlines the full assimilation plan:
Take the best and brightest of Israel’s youth. Give them new names. Teach them the language and literature of Babylon. Feed them the king’s food and wine. Train them for three years until they were ready to “stand before the king.”
It was a systematic re-education, aimed at turning covenant people into cultural representatives of Babylon.
Babylon Today
I can’t help seeing the parallels with how we often send our kids off to college:
A new identity: nicknames, personas, even social media handles that stick for life. A new language and literature: immersion in the worldview of the culture. A steady diet: not just dining hall food, but the entertainment, philosophies, and habits of the age. A commencement ceremony: where they stand before the provost to receive a degree that certifies them as fully assimilated into the culture.
It worked in Babylon. It still works today. After seventy years in exile, many Jews were so comfortable in Babylon that they no longer wanted to return to Jerusalem.
When the World Wants to Change You
This world wants to rename me.
It wants to feed me its food, teach me its language, and shift my identity from the one true God to lesser gods—who are no gods at all.
But Daniel reminds me: you can change my name, but you cannot change my allegiance.
A Prayer
Lord, I may be in Babylon, but don’t let Babylon be in me. Amen.
This blog will always be a free resource for anyone who wants to grow in their love for God’s Word. If it has blessed you and you would like to support the ministry of 66in52, please consider a one time or recurring donation. Thank you!
Leave a Reply