Daniel 1:17 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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.

God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom - so God "filled Bezaleel with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge" (Exodus 31:2-3), and gave to Solomon "a wise and an understanding heart" (1 Kings 3:12; Job 32:8, "The inspiration of the Almighty ... giveth understanding;" James 1:5; James 1:17, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not").

Daniel has understanding in all visions and dreams - God thus made one of the despised covenant-people eclipse the Chaldean sages in the very science on which they most prided themselves. So Joseph in the court of Pharaoh interpreted the king's dream, as he had done those of the chief butler and the chief baker previously (Genesis 40:5; Genesis 41:1; Genesis 41:8). Daniel, in these praises of his own "understanding," speaks not through vanity, but by the direction of God, as one transported out of himself. See my Introduction, 'CONTENTS OF THE BOOK.'

Daniel 1:17

17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Danield had understanding in all visions and dreams.