Ashpenaz
Ashpenaz was the chief official in Nebuchadnezzar's court, responsible for selecting and training young Israelite exiles (Dan.1.3).
Ashpenaz was the chief official in Nebuchadnezzar's palace responsible for selecting and training young men from conquered royal families for service at the Babylonian court (Daniel 1:3, 7, 11, 16). He chose Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah from among the Judahite captives and gave them Babylonian names—Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He showed concern about the dietary convictions of Daniel, fearing for his own safety if the young men's health declined. Ashpenaz represents the Babylonian imperial policy of cultural assimilation through education, which the book of Daniel presents as a context for faithful witness under foreign domination.