ASHPENAZ ăsh pə năz (אַשְׁפְּנַ֖ז, LXX ̓Αβιεσδρι). A name in Daniel 1:3 for the chief marshal of Nebuchadnezzar’s court, responsible for bringing to Babylon certain Heb. youths for training.

Although found also in non-Biblical texts, the etymology of the word is uncertain. The LXX uses the variant word Abiesdri in Daniel 1:3 as well as in 1:11 in place of Melzar (RSV, steward).

Ashpenaz was “chief” (Heb. rab, a term used for foreign officials, Jer 39:3) of the leading men (Heb sārîs, eunuch, or broader, officer, even married, as Potiphar, Gen 37:36.)

Bibliography E. J. Young, The Prophecy of Daniel (1949), 39.