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Commentary on Daniel 1 verses 17–21
17 ¶ 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.
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20 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.
21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
Concerning Daniel and his fellows we have here,
I. Their great attainments in learning, Dan 1:17. They were very sober and diligent, and studied hard; and we may suppose their tutors, finding them of an uncommon capacity, took a great deal of pains with them, but, after all, their achievements are ascribed to God only. It was he that gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; for every good and perfect gift is from above, from the Father of the lights. It is the Lord our God that gives men power to get this wealth; the mind is furnished only by him that formed it. The great learning which God gave these four children was, 1. A balance for their losses. They had, for the iniquity of their fathers, been deprived of the honours and pleasures that would have attended their noble extraction; but, to make them amends for that, God, in giving them learning, gave them better honours and pleasures than those they had been deprived of. 2. A recompence for their integrity. They kept to their religion, even in the minutest instances of it, and would not so much as defile themselves with the king's meat or wine, but became, in effect, Nazarites; and now God rewarded them for it with eminency in learning; for God gives to a man that is good in his sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and joy with them, Ecc 2:26. To Daniel he gave a double portion; he had understanding in visions and dreams; he knew how to interpret dreams, as Joseph, not by rules of art, such as are pretended to be given by the oneirocritics, but by a divine sagacity and wisdom which God gave him. Nay, he was endued with a prophetic spirit, by which he was enabled to converse with God, and to receive the notices of divine things in dreams and visions, Num 12:6. According to this gift given to Daniel, we find him, in this book, all along employed about dreams and visions, interpreting or entertaining them; for, as every one has received the gift, so shall he have an opportunity, and so should he have a heart, to minister the same, Pe1 4:10.
II. Their great acceptance with the king. After three years spent in their education (they being of some maturity, it is likely, when they came, perhaps about twenty years old) they were presented to the king with the rest that were of their standing, Dan 1:18. And the king examined them and communed with them himself, Dan 1:19. He could do it, being a man of parts and learning himself, else he would not have come to be so great; and he would do it, for it is the wisdom of princes, in the choice of the persons they employ, to see with their own eyes, to exercise their own judgment, and not trust too much to the representation of others. The king examined them not so much in the languages, in the rules of oratory or poetry, as in all matters of wisdom and understanding, the rules of prudence and true politics; he enquired into their judgment about the due conduct of human life and public affairs; not "Were they wits?" but, "Were they wise?" And he not only found them to excel the young candidates for preferment that were of their own standing, but found that they had more understanding than the ancients, than all their teachers, Psa 119:99, Psa 119:100. So far was the king from being partial to his own countrymen, to seniors, to those of his own religion and of an established reputation, that he freely owned that, upon trial, he found those poor young captive Jews ten times wiser and better than all the magicians that were in all his realm, Dan 1:20. He was soon aware of something extraordinary in these young men, and, which gave him a surprising satisfaction, was soon aware that a little of their true divinity was preferable to a great deal of the divination he had been used to. What is the chaff to the wheat? what are the magicians' rods to Aaron's? There was no comparison between them. These four young students were better, were ten times better, than all the old practitioners, put them all together, that were in all his realm, and we may be sure that they were not a few. This contempt did God pour upon the pride of the Chaldeans, and this honour did he put upon the low estate of his own people; and thus did he make not only these persons, but the rest of their nation for their sakes, the more respected in the land of their captivity. Lastly, This judgment being given concerning them, they stood before the king (Dan 1:19); they attended in the presence-chamber, nay, and in the council-chamber, for to see the king's face is the periphrasis of a privy-counsellor, Est 1:14. This confirms Solomon's observation, Seest thou a man diligent in his business, sober and humble? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. Industry is the way to preferment. How long the other three were about the court we are not told; but Daniel, for his part, continued to the first year of Cyrus (Dan 1:21), though not always alike in favour and reputation. He lived and prophesied after the first year of Cyrus; but that is mentioned to intimate that he lived to see the deliverance of his people out of their captivity and their return to their own land. Note, Sometimes God favours his servants that mourn with Zion in her sorrows to let them live to see better times with the church than they saw in the beginning of their days and to share with her in her joys.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 17–21. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER ONE
Verse 21. "Daniel therefore continued unto the first year of Cyrus the king." In the later discussion we shall explain how it was that Daniel who is here described as having continued till the first year of king Cyrus afterwards held office in the third year of that same Cyrus and is even recorded to have lived in the first year of Darius.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Daniel 1:21 serves as a concise yet profoundly significant chronological marker, indicating Daniel's enduring presence and influence within the Babylonian and nascent Persian empires. This verse highlights his remarkable longevity and steadfastness, positioning him as a key figure who not only survived the dramatic fall of Babylon but also maintained a position of prominence and divine favor through the transition to the reign of King Cyrus, marking a pivotal moment in both secular and biblical history and setting the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for His people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Daniel 1:21 primarily employs Chronological Marker as its key literary device, providing a precise historical anchor for the narrative. This seemingly simple statement serves as a powerful indicator of the vast sweep of time covered by Daniel's ministry and the significant geopolitical shifts he witnessed. Furthermore, there is an element of Understatement in the brevity of the verse. The profound historical and theological significance of Daniel's longevity and the rise of Cyrus is conveyed in a remarkably concise manner, allowing the reader to infer the immense weight of the events it encapsulates. The verse also functions as a subtle form of Foreshadowing, hinting at the broader historical context that will unfold, particularly the return of the exiles under Cyrus's decree, which is a major theme in later biblical books like Ezra and Nehemiah, and a testament to God's faithfulness.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 1:21 is a profound testament to God's unwavering sovereignty over human history and His faithfulness to His covenant people. Daniel's ability to "continue" through the rise and fall of formidable empires is not merely a biographical detail but a deep theological statement about divine preservation and purpose. It demonstrates that God's plans are not thwarted by political changes or human rulers; rather, He orchestrates them, positioning His servants strategically to witness and participate in the unfolding of His redemptive narrative. Daniel's longevity into the reign of Cyrus, the king destined to allow the Jewish return, underscores God's meticulous attention to prophetic detail and His ultimate control over the destiny of nations and His chosen people, ensuring that His promises are fulfilled in His perfect timing.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 1:21, though brief, offers profound encouragement for believers navigating a constantly changing world. Daniel's steadfastness through the collapse of one superpower and the rise of another reminds us that our ultimate security and purpose are found not in earthly kingdoms or political stability, but in the unchanging sovereignty of God. His life exemplifies that faithfulness to God, even in challenging and foreign environments, can lead to remarkable longevity of influence and divine favor. We are called to live with integrity and devotion, trusting that God can use us in any circumstance, for His purposes transcend human understanding and political shifts. Daniel's story challenges us to consider how we can remain steadfast in our faith amidst societal changes, knowing that God is actively working through history to accomplish His will, and that His timing is perfect. Our faithfulness in the small things, like Daniel's refusal to defile himself, can lead to God using us in significant ways for His kingdom purposes.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the mention of "the first year of king Cyrus" so significant in Daniel 1:21?
Answer: The mention of "the first year of king Cyrus" is profoundly significant for several reasons. Historically, it marks the definitive end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the beginning of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, a monumental shift in world power. Theologically, it points directly to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Prophets like Jeremiah had foretold a 70-year period of Babylonian exile (Jeremiah 29:10), and Isaiah had even named Cyrus as God's chosen instrument to allow the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (Isaiah 44:28 and Isaiah 45:1-7). Daniel 1:21 thus places Daniel at the very threshold of this prophetic fulfillment, underscoring God's meticulous plan and His faithfulness to His promises. It signifies the dawn of a new era for the Jewish people, even while they remained under foreign dominion, and highlights God's sovereign control over the rise and fall of nations.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's remarkable longevity and continued influence "unto the first year of king Cyrus" powerfully foreshadow the enduring and eternal reign of Jesus Christ. Just as Daniel, God's faithful servant, outlasted formidable earthly empires and transitioned seamlessly between world powers, so too does Christ's kingdom transcend and ultimately supersede all human kingdoms. Daniel's survival through the transition from Babylon to Persia points to the ultimate shift from temporary, earthly dominions to the everlasting kingdom established by the "Son of Man" in Daniel 7:13-14. While Daniel served under a succession of kings, his steadfastness under God's providence anticipates the singular, unchanging rule of Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, whose dominion "will never be destroyed" (Daniel 2:44). Daniel's life, marked by divine favor and influence in a foreign land, ultimately points to Christ, who is the true and eternal "judge of God," and through whom all nations will ultimately be brought under His righteous and everlasting rule, as prophesied in Revelation 11:15 and Revelation 19:16.