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• This verse is very informative. It tells us that the Jews were given new names - Aramaic names. Their old Hebrew names (Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah) were replaced with new Aramaic names (Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego). Some social conditioning was happening here. Their loyalty to Israel and to the Hebrew language was being replaced with a new culture and a new language. While most people would succumb to the blessings and privileges of a new life under the new royal household, and start to become loyal to the king, Daniel and his three friends did not want to succumb. They wanted to remain loyal to the God of Israel, in whom they put their trust.