Charles Ellicott 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 ... — Only four persons are mentioned here, because the narrative of the book is only concerned with four. Daniel calls our attention to the fact that the very four whom Providence had endowed with the greatest natural gifts were those by whose constancy and example the king was converted. The names of these four were subsequently changed, to show that they had become naturalized Chaldean subjects. (Compare 2 Kings 23:34; 2 Kings 24:17.) The name Belteshazzar must be carefully distinguished from Belshazzar.

It is said to mean, protect his life (balatsu-usur). Daniel appears, if this is the true meaning of the name, to have endeared himself at a very early period to Ashpenaz. (See Daniel 4:18.) Abed-nego is apparently Servant of Nebo, the b and g having been intentionally interchanged, on account of Azariah’s unwillingness to bear a heathen name. Shadrach and Meshach have not yet been explained, but probably the clue to their interpretation is to be found in the last syllable, ach, which also occurs in Merodach and Arioch.