Daniel then appealed to Melzar, the officer in special charge of the Hebrew youth, requesting that they might be excused from eating the king's meat and drinking his wine. He asked that the matter be tested by a ten days' trial, the 484 Hebrew youth during this time being supplied with simple food, while their companions ate of the king's dainties.

Daniel henvendte sig nu til den opsynsmand, som havde ansvaret for de unge hebræere, og bad om, at de måtte blive fri for at spise kongens mad og drikke hans vin. Han bad om, at de måtte blive stillet på en ti dages prøve. I dette tidsrum skulle de unge hebræere have en ganske enkel kost, mens deres kammerater spiste af kongens udsøgte retter.