וַיֹּ֥אמֶר דָּנִיֵּ֖אל אֶל־הַמֶּלְצַ֑ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר מִנָּה֙ שַׂ֣ר הַסָּֽרִיסִ֔ים עַל־דָּנִיֵּ֣אל חֲנַנְיָ֔ה מִֽישָׁאֵ֖ל וַעֲזַרְיָֽה׃
환관장이 세워 다니엘과 하나냐와 미사엘과 아사랴를 감독하게 한 자에게 다니엘이 말하되
Ibn Ezra
Whom you appointed (דִּי־מַנִּיתָ יָתְהוֹן - di mannita yathhon): Like [the concept of appointment described previously, e.g.,] “whom the chief officer appointed” (אשר מנה שר הסריסים - asher minnah sar ha-sarisim) [Daniel 1:11]. And behold, there is a question: There is no doubt that Daniel was more honored [than his companions], and we know that he did not bow down to the statue. Why did the Chaldeans not mention him to the king? According to my opinion: They were afraid to mention him, after they knew that the king had offered pleasing offerings (נִיחֹחִין - nichochin) before him, just as one would do for his god [cf. Daniel 2:46]. But Yefet ben Ali said: That they [the Chaldeans] were his [Daniel's] admirers/friends (ohavav), therefore they did not mention him. [Ibn Ezra concludes:] But there is no need [for this explanation by Yefet; the explanation based on fear is sufficient].