During the Babylonian exile, Nebuchadnezzar had ordered some of the young men of Judah’s royal line and other noble families be trained in Babylonian culture. He said, “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men... Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon”. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were among the young men chosen; the king gave them new Babylonian names to replace (and in mockery of) their given Hebrew names