Daniel 1:20

KJV

And in all matters of wisdom [and] understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians [and] astrologers that [were] in all his realm.

KJV (with Strong's)

And in all matters {H1697} of wisdom {H2451} and understanding {H998}, that the king {H4428} enquired {H1245} of them, he found {H4672} them ten times {H6235} better {H3027} than all the magicians {H2748} and astrologers {H825} that were in all his realm {H4438}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and in all matters requiring wisdom and understanding, whenever the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and exorcists in his entire kingdom.

Berean Standard Bible

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.

American Standard Version

And in every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 1:20 climaxes the initial narrative of Daniel and his three companions by showcasing their extraordinary intellectual and spiritual acumen. After their faithful adherence to God's dietary laws and subsequent divine favor, King Nebuchadnezzar personally examined them. The verse reveals that in every inquiry concerning wisdom and understanding, the king found them vastly superior—ten times better—than all the established magicians and astrologers throughout his vast Babylonian empire, underscoring God's power to elevate His faithful servants.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 1:20 serves as the triumphant capstone to the opening chapter of Daniel, which details the capture of young, noble Israelites by Nebuchadnezzar and their subsequent training for royal service in Babylon. The preceding verses establish Daniel's resolve not to defile himself with the king's rich food and wine ([Daniel 1:8](/daniel/1-8 "Daniel's Resolve Not to Defile Himself")), followed by God granting him favor with the chief eunuch ([Daniel 1:9](/daniel/1-9 "God Grants Daniel Favor")). A ten-day test confirmed their physical well-being on a vegetarian diet ([Daniel 1:12-15](/daniel/1-12 "The Ten-Day Test")), and God bestowed upon them "knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom" ([Daniel 1:17](/daniel/1-17 "God Gives Knowledge and Skill")). This verse, [Daniel 1:20](/daniel/1-20 "Daniel 1:20 - Superior Wisdom"), presents the ultimate outcome of this divine endowment and their faithfulness, demonstrating their unparalleled intellectual superiority when brought before the king, thus setting the stage for their future roles in the Babylonian court.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the opulent and intellectually advanced Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar, following the siege of Jerusalem in 605 BC. Babylon was renowned for its sophisticated systems of divination, astrology, and occult practices, with a well-established class of "wise men" who served as royal advisors, interpreters of dreams, and practitioners of various forms of magic. These individuals, including "magicians" (often priests of pagan cults) and "astrologers" (those who divined by observing celestial bodies), held significant influence and prestige within the court. The comparison in [Daniel 1:20](/daniel/1-20 "Daniel 1:20 - Superior Wisdom") is not merely academic but highlights a direct challenge to the established intellectual and spiritual authority of the most powerful empire of its time, showcasing the supremacy of God's wisdom over the accumulated knowledge and occult arts of Babylon.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Daniel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Empowerment**, demonstrating that God is actively involved in human affairs, even in a pagan empire, and can grant supernatural wisdom and favor to His faithful servants. Secondly, it highlights the **Superiority of God's Wisdom** over worldly knowledge and pagan practices, a recurring motif throughout Daniel, particularly in the dream interpretations of [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream") and [Daniel 4](/daniel/4 "Daniel 4 - Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation"). The "ten times better" comparison is a stark declaration of God's ability to elevate His people. Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **Faithfulness and Reward**, as Daniel and his friends' earlier commitment to God's ways directly led to their exceptional distinction and elevation in the king's eyes, illustrating that "those who honor me I will honor" ([1 Samuel 2:30](/1_samuel/2-30 "1 Samuel 2:30 - Those Who Honor Me I Will Honor")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **matters (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, this word signifies "a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing." In this context, it refers to the various subjects, questions, or affairs that the king presented for their counsel or judgment. It indicates the breadth and scope of the inquiries, encompassing all areas of royal concern where wisdom and understanding were required.
* **wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmâh'_):** From H2451, this term denotes "wisdom (in a good sense); skilful, wisely, wit." It refers to practical skill, insight, and the ability to apply knowledge effectively in real-world situations. It's not merely theoretical knowledge but the capacity for sound judgment, discernment, and the skillful management of affairs, divinely imparted to Daniel and his friends.
* **magicians (Hebrew, _charṭôm'_):** From H2748, this word describes "a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles); magician." These were a specific class of wise men in ancient Babylon and Egypt, often associated with occult practices, divination, and interpreting omens. Their inferiority to Daniel and his friends emphasizes the contrast between human, often deceptive, wisdom and divinely inspired truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in all matters of wisdom and understanding,"**: This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the king's inquiries. It wasn't just in one area, but in "all matters" requiring intellectual and spiritual acumen, encompassing both practical insight ("wisdom") and the ability to discern and comprehend complex issues ("understanding").
* **"that the king enquired of them,"**: This highlights the direct interaction between Nebuchadnezzar and the four young men. The king himself, the most powerful ruler of his time, personally tested their capabilities, demonstrating the significance of their examination and the high stakes involved.
* **"he found them ten times better"**: This is a powerful declaration of their extraordinary superiority. The phrase "ten times better" is a hyperbolic expression in Hebrew, signifying an overwhelming, undeniable, and divinely-granted excellence, far beyond mere human intellectual capacity. It's a qualitative, not just quantitative, assessment.
* **"than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm."**: This clause provides the stark contrast. The "magicians and astrologers" represent the pinnacle of Babylonian wisdom, occult knowledge, and established intellectual authority. The comparison unequivocally declares the divine wisdom of Daniel and his friends to be vastly superior to the collective expertise of the entire pagan intellectual establishment of the empire.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 1:20 employs several powerful literary devices. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "ten times better," which is not meant to be taken as a literal mathematical calculation but rather as an emphatic statement of overwhelming superiority. This exaggeration serves to underscore the profound difference between the divinely bestowed wisdom of Daniel and his companions and the limited, often deceptive, knowledge of the Babylonian wise men. The verse also utilizes **Contrast** as a central device, setting the wisdom of God's servants against the wisdom of the world, represented by the magicians and astrologers. This stark opposition highlights the ultimate source of true knowledge and insight. Furthermore, there is a subtle element of **Divine Irony** at play: these young exiles, seemingly powerless and displaced, are elevated by God to surpass the most esteemed and powerful intellectual figures within the very empire that subjugated them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 1:20 is a profound theological statement on the nature and source of true wisdom. It asserts that genuine insight and understanding are not products of human ingenuity, occult practices, or worldly education alone, but are ultimately gifts from God. This divine endowment elevates His faithful servants to a position of unparalleled excellence, demonstrating His sovereignty over all earthly powers and intellectual systems. The "ten times better" outcome is a testament to God's faithfulness to those who honor Him, proving that His wisdom is superior to any human or demonic knowledge. This foundational truth establishes a recurring theme in Daniel: God alone reveals mysteries and grants understanding, often through His chosen vessels, thereby demonstrating His supremacy over all false gods and their practitioners.

* [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking God for Wisdom")
* [1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - The Foolishness of God is Wiser than Men")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 1:20 offers profound encouragement and guidance for believers navigating a world that often values worldly wisdom and success. It reminds us that our ultimate source of wisdom and understanding is God Himself. In a culture saturated with information and competing ideologies, the call is to seek discernment and insight from the Holy Spirit, allowing His truth to shape our perspectives and decisions. This verse challenges us to pursue excellence in our callings, not for personal glory, but as a testimony to God's power and character working through us. When we operate with integrity and rely on divine wisdom, we can, like Daniel, stand out in our workplaces, communities, and spheres of influence, becoming lights that point to Christ. Our faithfulness, even in seemingly small acts of obedience, can lead to unexpected favor and opportunities for God's glory, demonstrating that God honors those who honor Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking wisdom and understanding? Are you primarily relying on human intellect, or are you actively seeking God's divine guidance?**
* **How can you, like Daniel and his friends, demonstrate excellence in your daily tasks or professional life as a testimony to God's power and wisdom?**
* **What are some "magicians and astrologers" (i.e., worldly philosophies, deceptive ideologies, or popular trends) in our contemporary society that compete with God's truth? How does Daniel 1:20 encourage us to discern and stand against them?**

### FAQ
**What does "ten times better" truly signify in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "ten times better" (Hebrew: `ʻeser yâd`, literally "ten hands" or "ten portions") is a hyperbolic expression, common in ancient Near Eastern literature, signifying overwhelming and undeniable superiority rather than a literal mathematical multiple. It means Daniel and his companions were found to be incomparably, vastly, and profoundly more insightful and discerning than all the other wise men in Nebuchadnezzar's court. It emphasizes the qualitative difference of their divinely-granted wisdom compared to the accumulated knowledge and occult practices of the Babylonian "magicians and astrologers" ([Daniel 1:20](/daniel/1-20 "Daniel 1:20 - Superior Wisdom")).

**Who were the "magicians and astrologers" in ancient Babylon?**

Answer: In ancient Babylon, "magicians" (Hebrew: `charṭôm`) were a class of learned men, often priests, who practiced various forms of magic, divination, and interpretation of omens, sometimes involving drawing magical lines or circles. "Astrologers" (Hebrew: `ʼashshâph`) were those who sought to predict future events or interpret divine will through the observation and interpretation of celestial bodies. These groups formed the intellectual and spiritual elite of the Babylonian court, advising the king and holding significant influence. Their inability to interpret dreams or provide true wisdom, as seen later in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream"), starkly contrasts with the divinely-inspired wisdom of Daniel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 1:20, while set in the Old Testament, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate wisdom and understanding found in Jesus Christ. Daniel and his friends, by their divine endowment, excelled over all worldly wisdom, pointing to the One who is the very embodiment of God's wisdom. The New Testament reveals that Christ is "the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")) and "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")). Just as Daniel surpassed the magicians and astrologers, Christ's wisdom infinitely transcends all human philosophy, worldly systems, and demonic deceptions. His teachings and life reveal the perfect will of God, offering true understanding and eternal life, something no earthly wise man or occult practice could ever provide. As believers, we are called to grow in the "knowledge of God and of Christ Jesus our Lord" ([2 Peter 1:2](/2_peter/1-2 "2 Peter 1:2 - Grace and Peace Through Knowledge of God")), for in Him, we find the ultimate fulfillment of all wisdom and understanding.

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

Isaiah 47:12

Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.

Isaiah 47:14

Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: [there shall] not [be] a coal to warm at, [nor] fire to sit before it.

1 Kings 4:29

¶ And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that [is] on the sea shore.

1 Kings 4:34

And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.

Exodus 8:19

Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This [is] the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Isaiah 19:3

And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.

Numbers 14:22

Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;