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.

KJV (with Strong's)

As for these four {H702} children {H3206}, God {H430} gave {H5414} them knowledge {H4093} and skill {H7919} in all learning {H5612} and wisdom {H2451}: and Daniel {H1840} had understanding {H995} in all visions {H2377} and dreams {H2472}.

Complete Jewish Bible

To these four boys God had given knowledge and skill in every aspect of learning and wisdom; moreover, Dani'el could understand all kinds of visions and dreams.

Berean Standard Bible

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.

American Standard Version

Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 1:17 reveals the divine source of the extraordinary intellectual and spiritual capabilities bestowed upon Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, the four young Hebrew exiles in Babylonian training. Beyond their natural aptitude or the rigorous education provided by King Nebuchadnezzar's court, this verse emphatically states that "God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom," highlighting a supernatural endowment. Furthermore, it singles out Daniel, affirming his unique prophetic gift of "understanding in all visions and dreams," a crucial ability that would define his future ministry and the unfolding narrative of the book.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the pivotal account of Daniel and his three friends' unwavering faithfulness in the face of cultural and dietary pressures in [Babylon](/daniel/1 "Daniel 1 - Daniel's Early Faithfulness"). In [Daniel 1:8-16](/daniel/1-8 "Daniel 1:8-16 - Daniel's Resolve and God's Blessing"), they resolved not to defile themselves with the king's rich food and wine, opting instead for a simple diet of vegetables and water. Their obedience was tested, and God honored their commitment by making them appear healthier and better nourished than all the other youths. Daniel 1:17 serves as the direct spiritual consequence and divine reward for this faithfulness, explicitly attributing their exceptional intellectual and spiritual prowess to God's direct intervention. It sets the stage for their future elevation and influence within the Babylonian court, as seen in [Daniel 1:19-20](/daniel/1-19 "Daniel 1:19-20 - The Youths Excel").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the early period of the Babylonian exile, specifically during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 605-562 BC). Following the first deportation of Jews to Babylon, the king initiated a program to train select young men from conquered territories for service in his palace. This training involved a three-year curriculum in "the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans" ([Daniel 1:4](/daniel/1-4 "Daniel 1:4 - Training of the Youths")), encompassing language, literature, administration, and possibly astrology or divination. The goal was to assimilate these promising individuals into Babylonian culture and bureaucracy, making them loyal and effective servants of the empire. For the Hebrew youths, this meant immersion in a pagan, polytheistic environment that stood in stark contrast to their monotheistic heritage. Their exceptional abilities, therefore, were not merely a product of the world-class Babylonian education but a divine equipping that allowed them to excel without compromising their faith, demonstrating God's sovereignty even in a foreign land.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 1:17 powerfully reinforces several major themes woven throughout the book of Daniel. The most prominent is **Divine Sovereignty and Empowerment**, emphasizing that God is the ultimate source of all true wisdom and ability, actively intervening in human affairs to accomplish His purposes. The phrase "God gave them" underscores this divine initiative. This verse also highlights the theme of **Faithfulness and Divine Blessing**, demonstrating that obedience to God, even in challenging circumstances, invites His favor and supernatural enablement. The youths' prior decision to honor God with their diet directly precedes this divine gifting. Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **Prophetic Revelation**, particularly through Daniel's unique understanding of "visions and dreams." This specific gift foreshadows Daniel's central role as God's prophet and interpreter of divine mysteries throughout the book, setting him apart and positioning him as a key figure through whom God would reveal His plans for the future, as exemplified in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Daniel's Interpretation") and [Daniel 7](/daniel/7 "Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural noun, used here with a singular verb, refers to the supreme God of Israel. Its presence immediately establishes the divine origin of the gifts. It signifies not merely a generic deity but the one true God who actively intervenes in the lives of His faithful servants, bestowing supernatural abilities beyond natural human capacity or educational attainment.
* **wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmâh'_):** More than mere intellectual knowledge, _chokmâh_ denotes practical skill, discernment, and the ability to apply knowledge effectively to life's situations. It implies sound judgment, prudence, and insight, often rooted in a reverence for God. Here, it signifies a comprehensive understanding that enabled the youths to navigate complex court politics and excel in their roles.
* **understanding (Hebrew, _bîyn'_):** This word implies the ability to separate mentally, to distinguish, and to comprehend deeply. While the other youths received general knowledge and wisdom, Daniel was specifically gifted with _bîyn_ concerning "visions and dreams." This denotes a unique spiritual insight, an interpretive faculty that allowed him to grasp and explain divine communications that were otherwise inscrutable to others, including the king's own wise men.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As for these four children,"**: This introductory phrase draws attention to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, distinguishing them from the other youths in training. It emphasizes that the subsequent divine blessing is specifically directed towards this faithful quartet.
* **"God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom:"**: This is the core declaration of divine enablement. It explicitly states that their intellectual prowess – encompassing both factual "knowledge" (_maddâʻ_) and practical "skill" (_sâkal_) in every area of "learning" (_çêpher_) and "wisdom" (_chokmâh_) – was not a product of their own genius or the Babylonian curriculum alone, but a direct, supernatural gift from "God" (_ʼĕlôhîym_). This underscores God's active involvement in equipping His servants.
* **"and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams."**: This clause highlights Daniel's unique and specific prophetic endowment. While all four received general wisdom, Daniel was singled out for a specialized ability to comprehend and interpret divine "visions" (_châzôwn_) and "dreams" (_chălôwm_). This gift sets him apart and foreshadows his crucial role as God's primary revealer of future events and interpreter of divine messages throughout the book.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Divine Intervention** is paramount, explicitly stating "God gave them," which establishes the supernatural source of their abilities and underscores God's active hand in their lives, rather than attributing their success solely to human effort or Babylonian education. There is also a clear element of **Distinction** or **Emphasis** through the use of parallelism and singling out Daniel: "God gave *them* knowledge... and *Daniel* had understanding..." This highlights Daniel's unique prophetic gift within the broader context of the general intellectual gifts bestowed upon all four. Furthermore, the phrase "all learning and wisdom" and "all visions and dreams" uses **Hyperbole** or **Intensification** to emphasize the comprehensive and extraordinary nature of the divine endowment, indicating a level of insight far surpassing ordinary human capability. This verse also serves as **Foreshadowing**, particularly regarding Daniel's specific gift, which anticipates his later pivotal role in interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dreams ([Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Daniel's Interpretation")) and receiving profound prophetic visions himself ([Daniel 7](/daniel/7 "Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts") onwards).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 1:17 stands as a powerful testament to God's sovereignty and His active role in equipping His faithful servants. It aligns with the broader biblical principle that true wisdom and understanding ultimately originate from God, not from human intellect or worldly education alone. This divine endowment is often a direct consequence of obedience and faithfulness, demonstrating God's commitment to honoring those who honor Him. The specific gifting of Daniel with understanding in visions and dreams also connects to the theme of prophetic revelation throughout scripture, where God communicates His will and future plans through chosen individuals. This verse sets the stage for Daniel's unique prophetic ministry, positioning him as a conduit for divine truth in a pagan empire, and foreshadows God's continued use of individuals to reveal His mysteries.

* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking God for Wisdom")
* [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - The Lord Gives Wisdom")
* [1 Corinthians 12:4-7](/1_corinthians/12-4 "1 Corinthians 12:4-7 - Diversity of Gifts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 1:17 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating complex and often hostile environments. It reminds us that our abilities, when submitted to God, can be supernaturally enhanced for His purposes. In a world that often values human achievement and self-reliance, this verse calls us to acknowledge God as the ultimate source of all true knowledge, skill, and wisdom. It challenges us to cultivate a spirit of faithfulness and obedience, trusting that God will equip us for the tasks He has prepared, even if those tasks seem daunting or require gifts beyond our natural capacity. Whether in academic pursuits, professional careers, or ministry, we are invited to lean on divine wisdom rather than solely on our own understanding, recognizing that God can use us powerfully wherever He places us, turning seemingly ordinary circumstances into opportunities for divine display.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you relying solely on your own intellect or effort, rather than seeking God's supernatural wisdom and enablement?**
* **How does the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends in [Daniel 1:8-16](/daniel/1-8 "Daniel 1:8-16 - Daniel's Resolve") inform your understanding of God's blessing in Daniel 1:17? What "small" acts of obedience might God be calling you to today?**
* **Do you believe God can equip you with specific gifts for specific purposes, even in secular or challenging environments? How might this truth impact your approach to your work or studies?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "God gave them" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "God gave them" is profoundly significant because it explicitly attributes the youths' extraordinary intellectual and spiritual abilities directly to divine intervention, rather than to their natural intelligence or the rigorous Babylonian education system. It underscores God's active sovereignty and His personal involvement in equipping His faithful servants. This highlights that true wisdom and skill are ultimately gifts from God, not solely products of human effort or worldly training. It sets the stage for their future influence in the Babylonian court, demonstrating that their success was divinely ordained and empowered.

**Why is Daniel singled out for understanding "visions and dreams"?**

Answer: Daniel is singled out because this specific gift of understanding "visions and dreams" is central to his unique prophetic ministry throughout the book of Daniel. While all four youths received general knowledge and wisdom, Daniel's specialized ability allowed him to interpret divine communications that were otherwise incomprehensible to others, including King Nebuchadnezzar's own wise men. This unique prophetic insight positioned him as God's primary messenger and revealer of future events, distinguishing him as a prophet of the Lord in a pagan land. This gift is crucial for the unfolding narrative, as seen in his interpretation of the king's dream in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Daniel's Interpretation") and his own profound visions in later chapters like [Daniel 7](/daniel/7 "Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts").

**How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual gifts in the New Testament?**

Answer: While Daniel 1:17 describes a divine endowment in the Old Testament context, it foreshadows and aligns thematically with the New Testament concept of spiritual gifts. Just as God supernaturally equipped Daniel and his friends for specific purposes in their context, the New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit bestows diverse gifts upon believers for the common good and the building up of the church ([1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Spiritual Gifts")). Daniel's unique understanding of visions and dreams can be seen as an Old Testament parallel to prophetic or revelatory gifts. Both instances demonstrate God's desire to empower His people with supernatural abilities to fulfill His will and bear witness to His truth in the world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 1:17, while set in the Old Testament, points forward to the ultimate source of all wisdom and revelation in Jesus Christ. Daniel, gifted with understanding in "all visions and dreams," foreshadows Christ as the perfect revealer of God's mysteries and the embodiment of divine wisdom. In Christ, "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in Whom are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge")). Daniel's ability to interpret the king's dreams and God's future plans finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who perfectly declared the Father and His will ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God Except the Son")). He is not merely a recipient of understanding but the very "wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")) incarnate, through whom all things were created and by whom all truth is made known. The divine enablement given to Daniel and his friends, allowing them to excel in a foreign land, ultimately culminates in Christ, who empowers His followers with the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses in every nation ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Be Witnesses")). Thus, Daniel's unique insight into divine revelation finds its full and final expression in the person and work of Jesus, who is the "Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God" ([Revelation 3:14](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 3:12

Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Daniel 2:21

And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

Job 32:8

But [there is] a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Daniel 2:23

I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast [now] made known unto us the king's matter.

Proverbs 2:6

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding.

Colossians 1:9

¶ For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;