Original Word: פַתְבַּג
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: pathbag
Pronunciation: path-bag
Phonetic Spelling: (pathbag')
KJV: portion (provision) of meat
NASB: choice food
Word Origin: [of Persian origin]

1. a dainty

portion provision of meat

Of Persian origin; a dainty -- portion (provision) of meat.

Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
portion, delicacies
NASB Translation
choice food (6).

[מַּתבָּֿג] (read always [מַּתְבָּג]) noun [masculine] portion (of food) for king, delicacies (Persian loanword, compare Sanskrit prati-bhâga, Zend [pati-baga; whence] Greek transliteration ποτί-βαζις, Syriac ; Gildem^{ZKM iv. 213 f.} Lag^{Ges. Abh.73} Bev^Dn Dr^Dn); — construct מַּתבַּֿג הַמֶּלֶךְ Daniel 1:5,8,13,15, suffix מַּתבָּֿגָם Daniel 1:16, אֹכְלֵי פַתבָּֿגוֺ Daniel 11:26.

Meaning and Scope of the Term

פַתְבַּג refers to choice food supplied from a royal table—luxurious provisions that carried the weight of political favor and cultural identity. In every occurrence it designates fare served under Persian authority, distinguishing it from ordinary rations.

Occurrences in Scripture

• Daniel 1:5, 8, 13, 15, 16 record the term in the narrative of Daniel and his three friends in Babylon.
• Daniel 11:26 places it in a prophecy of the later conflicts of Hellenistic kings.

Historical and Cultural Background

Sharing royal cuisine in the Ancient Near East signified covenant loyalty. To eat the king’s delicacies was to acknowledge dependence on his patronage and, by extension, his gods. Persian courts were renowned for exotic meats, rich sauces, and wine mixed with spices. Such fare was often dedicated to deities before consumption, creating moral tension for faithful Israelites subject to exile.

Theological Themes

1. Covenant Faithfulness in Exile

“Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food” (Daniel 1:8). Refusing פַתְבַּג became an outward sign of inward allegiance to the covenant. Holiness is portrayed as practical, bodily obedience in hostile culture.

2. God’s Preservation of the Remnant

After ten days of vegetables and water, “they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men eating the king’s food” (Daniel 1:15). Physical vigor is shown to be the direct outcome of divine favor rather than human luxury.

3. Treachery at the King’s Table

Daniel 11:26 prophesies that “those who eat his provisions will seek to destroy him.” The same sumptuous fare that tested the faith of Daniel becomes the context for betrayal in later history, underscoring that trust placed in political alliances is fragile.

Pastoral and Practical Implications

• Discernment and Conviction: Modern believers face cultural enticements that appear harmless yet carry spiritual compromise. Daniel models prayerful evaluation and respectful negotiation (Daniel 1:12).
• Bodily Stewardship: Nutrition becomes a venue for worship when choices are made to honor God rather than appetite (compare 1 Corinthians 10:31).
• Community Accountability: Daniel stands with companions. Mutual support strengthens resolve when resisting conformity.
• Fasting and Spiritual Formation: The “ten-day test” anticipates later biblical fasting practices, reminding the church that abstinence can sharpen witness and deepen dependence on God.

Christological and Eschatological Connections

Daniel’s refusal of the royal table anticipates the Messiah who, though offered “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory” (Matthew 4:8), chose obedience over indulgence. The treachery of table-companions in Daniel 11:26 foreshadows Judas at the Supper (Luke 22:21). Both strands converge in Revelation’s promise of the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9), where the redeemed will feast without fear of defilement or betrayal.

Summary

פַתְבַּג is more than exotic cuisine; it is a symbol of allegiance, a crucible of faith, and a prophetic motif. Whether in the disciplined refusal of Daniel or the treacherous plots of future courts, royal delicacies expose the heart. Scripture employs the term to call God’s people to steadfast holiness while awaiting the flawless feast prepared by the true King.

בְּפַתְבַּ֥ג בַּ֤ג בָּג֛וֹ בג בגו בפתבג פַּתְבַּ֣ג פַּתְבַּ֥ג פַּתְבָּגָ֔ם פתבג פתבגם bā·ḡōw bag baḡ baGo bāḡōw bə·p̄aṯ·baḡ befatBag bəp̄aṯbaḡ paṯ·bā·ḡām paṯ·baḡ patBag paṯbaḡ patbaGam paṯbāḡāmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts