# The king spoke

This refers to Nebuchadnezzar.

# Ashpenaz

This is the chief official. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

# nobility

the highest social class.

# without blemish

These two negative words together emphasize a positive idea. AT: "with perfect appearance" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]])

# filled with knowledge and understanding

This is an idiom. This means they knew much and could organize and use that information. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

# king's palace

This is the large house or building where the king lives.

# He was to teach them

"Ashpenaz was to teach them"

# The king counted out for them

The king's officials did this task for him. AT: "The king's officials counted out for them" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# his delicacies

the special, rare, good foods that the king ate

# These young men were to be trained

This can be stated in active form. AT: "Ashpenaz was to train these young men" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# trained

"taught skills"

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/king]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/israel]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/royal]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/wise]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/know]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/qualify]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/serve]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/names/babylon]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/wine]]