Daniel 1:17 kjv
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 1:17 nkjv
As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 1:17 niv
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
Daniel 1:17 esv
As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Daniel 1:17 nlt
God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.
Daniel 1 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 2:6 | For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; | God is the source of wisdom and understanding. |
| Jam 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God... | God grants wisdom to those who seek it. |
| 1 Kgs 3:9-12 | Give Your servant an understanding heart... God said to him, “I have given you a wise and understanding heart...” | God grants specific wisdom for leadership. |
| Exod 31:3 | ...I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, | God bestows skill for divine service. |
| 1 Cor 1:19 | ...I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. | God's wisdom transcends human wisdom. |
| 1 Cor 2:4-5 | ...my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. | God's power over human wisdom. |
| Jas 3:15-17 | This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly... But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable... | Contrast earthly vs. divine wisdom. |
| Gen 37:5-9 | Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it... | Joseph also received dreams and interpreted. |
| Gen 40:8 | They said to him, “We have had a dream... there is no interpreter.” Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” | Interpretation belongs to God. |
| Gen 41:15-16 | Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream... Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” | God provides prophetic answers. |
| Num 12:6 | ...“If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. | God reveals Himself through dreams/visions. |
| Joel 2:28 | ...I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. | Prophetic dreams/visions in latter days. |
| Acts 2:17 | ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.’ | Fulfillment of Joel 2:28 (Pentecost). |
| Dan 2:20-21 | Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever... He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” | Daniel's prayer: God grants wisdom and knowledge. |
| Dan 2:28 | “But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.” | God alone reveals mysteries. |
| Psa 75:6-7 | For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts another. | God raises up and casts down leaders. |
| Prov 16:3 | Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established. | Faithfulness leads to divine establishment. |
| Isa 40:23 | He brings princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless. | God's sovereignty over earthly rulers. |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. | Divine strength enables tasks. |
| Rom 13:1 | For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. | God establishes authorities, even in pagan lands. |
| Dan 5:11 | There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God... for you knew that he possesses light and understanding and excellent wisdom. | Later reference to Daniel's God-given wisdom. |
Daniel 1 verses
Daniel 1 17 Meaning
Daniel 1:17 declares that because of their faithfulness, God divinely bestowed upon Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah exceptional knowledge and intellectual skill in all academic disciplines and forms of wisdom. Specifically, Daniel received an additional, unique gift of profound understanding in the interpretation of all visions and dreams, setting him apart for his significant prophetic role within the book and in the divine plan.
Daniel 1 17 Context
Daniel 1:17 immediately follows the narrative where Daniel and his three friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) resolve not to defile themselves with the king's rich food and wine (Dan 1:8). They request a ten-day test period, consuming only vegetables and water. At the end of this period (Dan 1:15), their countenances appeared healthier and better nourished than the young men who ate the king's provisions, proving God's blessing on their obedience. This verse, then, details the intellectual and spiritual fruits of their faithfulness, showing that God's favor extended beyond their physical well-being to their minds. Historically, these events occur in Babylon, around 605 BC, during the initial stages of the seventy-year exile of Judah, following Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem. The four young men were part of an elite group selected to be trained in Babylonian literature and language, an assimilation attempt designed to integrate them into the Chaldean administration.
Daniel 1 17 Word analysis
- As for these four young men: Identifies specific individuals chosen by God, not by chance. Their inclusion emphasizes God's focus on individuals and His plan for them.
- God gave them: This phrase is paramount. It attributes their subsequent intellectual prowess and special understanding directly to divine, supernatural intervention, not merely to their own diligence, natural talent, or the efficacy of the Babylonian education system. It strongly contrasts with pagan worldviews where achievement is attributed to personal effort or pagan gods.
- This is a strong theological statement, underscoring God's active involvement in the lives of His faithful servants and His sovereignty over knowledge and wisdom.
- knowledge (מַדָּע, maddā‘): Refers to intellectual awareness, discernment, and factual understanding. It implies a comprehensive grasp of various subjects.
- and skill (שֶׂכֶל, sekhel): Denotes intellectual acumen, prudence, insight, and practical discernment. It's not just knowing facts but knowing how to apply them effectively and intelligently. Together, "knowledge and skill" signify holistic mental excellence.
- in all literature and wisdom: This refers to the broad curriculum of the Babylonian court, including the writings, language, history, and philosophical/scientific (as understood then) knowledge of the Chaldeans. The implication is that God enabled them to master, and even surpass, the best of pagan education.
- "literature and wisdom" also represents the entire realm of human learning. God demonstrated that His power and wisdom were superior to anything man could produce or comprehend.
- This is a polemic against the supposed superiority of Babylonian wisdom and deities. God's favor provided a greater endowment than any pagan training could.
- and Daniel had understanding (בִּין, bin, 'to understand,' 'to discern'): This indicates a specific, additional gift given to Daniel, distinguishing him from his three friends. While all four received general intellectual brilliance, Daniel received a specialized prophetic insight. This sets the stage for Daniel's central role in interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dreams and visions throughout the book.
- in all visions and dreams: This is the defining unique capability of Daniel. It speaks of divine revelation, enabling him to receive and interpret prophetic insights given through dreams and visions from God. This ability is crucial for the very structure and purpose of the book of Daniel, as many key revelations are conveyed through this medium. It positions Daniel as a prophet chosen by God for momentous revelations.
Daniel 1 17 Bonus section
The divine endowment described in Dan 1:17 established Daniel and his friends as examples of divine favor within a hostile empire. It illustrates the principle that faithfulness to God, even in seemingly small matters like diet, can lead to disproportionate divine blessings and open doors for greater service. The wisdom granted was not merely academic; it was discernment from God, making them intellectually superior to the "wise men" of Babylon whom they would eventually surpass. This immediate manifestation of supernatural gifts highlights the direct interaction between God and His people, demonstrating His power and glory to the Gentile world even during their period of exile.
Daniel 1 17 Commentary
Daniel 1:17 is a pivotal verse, revealing God's direct blessing on the obedient young Hebrews in a foreign, pagan land. It moves beyond their physical well-being, highlighting a miraculous bestowal of mental and spiritual faculties. This was not simply a result of their training in the king's court; it was a divine enablement. The specific emphasis on "God gave them" demonstrates His sovereignty and active involvement, refuting any notion that their success was due to the Babylonians or their idols. Their intellectual prowess and discernment surpassed that of all other trainees, validating their prior faithfulness (Dan 1:8-16) and showcasing the supremacy of the God of Israel over the gods and wisdom of Babylon. Daniel's unique gift of interpreting "all visions and dreams" specifically marked him for a distinct prophetic role, preparing him for future confrontations with the king and for receiving and conveying significant eschatological truths, which form the bulk of the book. This verse serves as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness, His ability to prosper those who honor Him, and His capacity to equip His servants with extraordinary gifts for His purposes.