Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 1:6

"Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah." — Daniel 1:6 (ASV)

Now among these were of the children of Judah - This means that these individuals were part of the group who were selected. They are mentioned because they became very prominent in the events that are subsequently recorded in this book. They are also highlighted because they showed such extraordinary virtue in developing the principles in which they had been trained, and in the remarkable trials they were called to endure.

It does not appear that they are mentioned here particularly because of any distinction of birth or rank. Although they were among the noble and promising youth of the land, it is clear that others of the same rank and promise were also selected (Daniel 1:3).

The phrase “the children of Judah” is simply another term to indicate that they were Hebrews; they belonged to the tribe, or the kingdom of Judah.

Daniel - This name (דניאל dânı̂yê'l) properly means “judge of God;” that is, one who acts as judge in the name of God. Why this name was given to him is not known. We cannot, however, fail to be struck with its appropriateness, as the events of his life showed. Nor is it known whether he belonged to the royal family or to the nobles of the land, but as the selection was made from that class, it is probable.

Those who were first carried into captivity were selected exclusively from the more elevated classes of society, and there is every reason to believe that Daniel belonged to a family of rank and consequence. The Jews say that he was of the royal family, and was descended from Hezekiah, and cite his history in confirmation of the prophecy addressed by Isaiah to that monarch, “Of thy sons which shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon,” (Isaiah 39:7). Compare Introduction Section I.

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah - Nothing is known of the rank and early history of these young men. They became celebrated for their refusal to worship the golden image set up by Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:12 and following).