Tafsiran Daniel 1:11: Rashi & Ibn Ezra

the steward Heb. הַמֶּלְצַר, the one who arranges the portions and the plates, called maestre sala, seneschal, steward.

[Daniel 1:11] Vayomer... HaMeltsar (וַיֹּאמֶר... הַמֶּלְצַר - And Daniel said... The guard/steward): This [HaMeltsar] is a Chaldean word [meaning] the one who gives the portions/allotments (manot - מָנוֹת). And behold, the meaning of “whom [the chief officer] had appointed” (asher minnah - אֲשֶׁר מִנָּה) is like “appointed/overseer” (ha-pkid - הַפְּקִיד). And in the language of the Sages, [it is like] memuneh (מְמֻנֶּה - appointed one/overseer). And for it [the word Meltsar itself] to be derived from [the concept of] "one who appoints/apportions (minnah) the portions (manot)" is very difficult [linguistically], according to Ibn Ezra. And especially since it is written concerning Daniel [and his companions, implying a specific context that perhaps makes a simple etymological link less likely in Ibn Ezra's view].