ASHPENAZ.The chief of Nebuchadrezzars eunuchs (Dan_1:3).
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
Dan_1:3.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.
Ash'penaz. (horse-nose). The master of the eunuchs of Nebuchadnezzar. Dan_1:3.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863
ash?pē̇-naz (אשׁפנז, 'ashpenaz): The master of the eunuchs of Nebuchadnezzar was an officer into whose hands the king entrusted those of the children of Israel, and of the princes, and of the seed of the king of Judah, whom he had carried captive to Babylon, that they might be taught the learning and tongue of the Chaldeans in order to serve in the king's palace. He is mentioned by name in Dan_1:3 only. It used to be supposed that the name was Persian; but it now seems more probable that it is Babylonian. We would suggest Ashipu-Anu-Izzu, ?the Aship-priest of Ann is mighty,? as a possible form of the original.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.
Ash?penaz, chief of the eunuchs of king Nebuchadnezzar, to whose care Daniel and his companions were consigned, and who changed their names (Dan_1:3; Dan_1:7).
The Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
by John Kitto.
Ashpenaz
(Heb. Ashpenaz', אִשְׁפְּנִז, perh. from Persic and Sanscrit afnas, horse, and nasa, nose, i. q. "horse-nose;" Sept. Α᾿σφανέζ), the master of the eunuchs, or, rather, one of the principal chamberlains of Nebuchadnezzar (B.C. 604), who was commanded to select certain Jewish captives to be instructed in the literature and science of the Chaldaeans (Dan_1:3). In this number he included Daniel and his three companions, whose Hebrew names he changed to Chaldee (Dan_1:7). Their refusal to partake of the provisions in from the monarch's table filled Ashpenaz with apprehension, for at that time, as in our days, the Asiatic despots frequently punished with death the least infraction of their will. He had, however, the generosity not to use constraint toward them. In acceding to the request of Daniel, Ashpenaz had every thing to apprehend; and the grateful prophet specially records that God had disposed Ashpenaz to treat him with kindness (Dan_1:8-16). SEE DANIEL.
CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.