Thematic Bible: Abstinence from


Thematic Bible



But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. Verse ConceptsAbstinenceConformityAlcoholCivil authoritiesDefilement, Ceremonial CausesGood Decision Making ExamplesDecisivenessLuxurySelf DenialSelf DisciplineSelf IndulgenceTemptation, ResistingForbidden FoodDefilementEating Meatpork

I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed. Verse ConceptsAbstinenceAnointing With OilLipsMeatOintmentSelf DenialTen Or More DaysNot Drinking WineAnointing OneselfSavourinessEating Meat

The king appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service. Verse ConceptsThree YearsProviding WinePeople TeachingOnce A DayForbidden FoodRich FoodServing KingsDividing FoodAssignmentEducation

So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables. Verse ConceptsVegetables


The drinking was done according to the law, there was no compulsion, for so the king had given orders to each official of his household that he should do according to the desires of each person. Verse ConceptsAbstinenceAlcohol ConsumptionUnlimitednessNo Compulsion