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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While all four youths received God's gift of learning, Daniel was uniquely given understanding of visions and dreams, highlighting a special prophetic calling beyond general wisdom. This doesn't imply the others lacked insight, but that Daniel's specific role involved supernatural revelation.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse comes after Daniel and his friends have already distinguished themselves by choosing a healthier diet and, as a result, looking better than their peers. Now, as their rigorous three-year training program concludes, the text highlights the unique intellectual and spiritual gifts God bestowed upon these young men, especially Daniel, preparing them for their crucial roles in the Babylonian court.
We often think of wisdom as something we earn through hard work and study. But what if it's also something God freely gives?
Daniel 1:17 makes it clear that the profound learning and skill these four young men possessed, and Daniel's unique understanding of visions and dreams, were directly from God.
A Divine Source
The text explicitly states, 'God gave them learning and skill...' and 'Daniel had understanding...' This wasn't just about natural talent or diligent study, though those played a role. It highlights that true wisdom, insight, and understanding originate from God Himself. As James 1:5 says, 'If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given you.'
Purposeful Gifts
These gifts weren't arbitrary. They were given to equip these young men for their challenging circumstances in Babylon, enabling them to navigate a foreign culture, serve faithfully, and ultimately bear witness to God's power. The knowledge and skill they received were practical, preparing them for diplomatic roles and wise counsel.
Daniel and his friends were in a culture filled with 'wisdom' that was actually superstition. How did they discern what was truly from God?
The verse distinguishes between 'all learning and wisdom' given to the four, and Daniel's specific 'understanding in all visions and dreams.' This hints at a crucial discernment.
What's From God?
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The scholars note that the 'learning and wisdom' given to the four likely referred to useful, lawful knowledge—languages, sciences, and political understanding—rather than the forbidden arts like magic or judicial astrology prevalent in Babylon. God can bless the diligent pursuit of knowledge, even in challenging environments.
Daniel's Unique Gift
Daniel's special ability to understand 'visions and dreams' was explicitly supernatural. While ancient cultures, including Babylon, placed great emphasis on interpreting dreams (often through superstition), Daniel's understanding was a direct impartation from God, enabling him to interpret divine messages. This wasn't about mastering Chaldean dream interpretation techniques but about receiving God-given insight.
The Heart of the Matter
Ultimately, their scrupulousness about what they ate and drank shows their commitment to honoring God in all things. This principle extends to their pursuit of knowledge: they would have rejected any learning that compromised their faithfulness to God, focusing on wisdom that elevated Him, not on 'vain philosophy' or 'devilish' arts.
Understand the original words
chokmah · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, wisdom (chochmah) denotes a profound skill in living, moral discernment, and the ability to apply divine truth to the practical challenges of life; it is a gift from God.
chazon · Hebrew Noun
In Scripture, a vision (chazon) is a divine communication, often granted in a state of wakefulness or sleep, through which God reveals His will, future events, or hidden truths to His prophets.
chalom · Hebrew Noun
In biblical usage, a dream (chalom) is a common medium by which God communicated His messages to individuals, often requiring divine interpretation to understand the underlying prophetic meaning.
This verse highlights God's supernatural gifting of wisdom and understanding to Daniel and his friends amidst their forced exile and integration into Babylonian society, demonstrating that even in a foreign, pagan culture, God can elevate His people and use their skills for His purposes.
c. 605 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar's First Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invades Judah and conquers Jerusalem, deporting some of the royal family and nobility, including the prophet Daniel and his three friends, to Babylon.
c. 605-602 BC
Training Period in Babylon
Daniel and his friends undergo a three-year period of intensive education in Babylonian language, literature, and customs, as mandated by King Nebuchadnezzar.
c. 602 BC
Court Examination
At the end of their training, Daniel and his companions are examined by Nebuchadnezzar and found to be exceptionally wise and skilled, especially Daniel in interpreting visions and dreams.
c. 600 BC
Service in Nebuchadnezzar's Court
Daniel and his friends are appointed to serve in the king's court, demonstrating their superior wisdom and understanding, and distinguishing themselves among the king's wise men.
This passage parallels Daniel 1:17 by stating that God gives skill and understanding to those who work with their hands, highlighting God as the source of all abilities and knowledge, just as He gifted Daniel and his friends.
1 Kings 4:29Similar to Daniel 1:17, this verse emphasizes that God granted Solomon 'very much learning and understanding, and largeness of heart,' showing a pattern of God gifting wisdom and insight to leaders for His purposes.
1 Corinthians 12:8This verse lists 'knowledge' and 'wisdom' as spiritual gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit, aligning with Daniel 1:17's theme that the learning and understanding Daniel and his friends possessed ultimately came from God.
Proverbs 2:6This verse states that 'the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding,' reinforcing the idea presented in Daniel 1:17 that true wisdom and understanding are divine gifts.
barnesDaniel 1:17: "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."
As for these four children - On the word "children," see the notes at Daniel 1:4 . Compare Daniel 1:6 . God gave them knowledge and skill - See the notes at Daniel 1:9. There is no reason to suppose that in the "knowledge and skill" here referred to, it is meant to be implied that there was anything miraculous, or that there was any dir…
pulpitDaniel 1:17: "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."
Verse 17. - As for these four children, God gave them knewledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Or, as the words might be more accurately rendered, "these lads, the four of them" (Ezekiel 1:8-10). This indicates that somehow they were separated off into a quaternion. In Ezeki…
While all four youths received God's gift of learning, Daniel was uniquely given understanding of visions and dreams, highlighting a special prophetic calling beyond general wisdom. This doesn't imply the others lacked insight, but that Daniel's specific role involved supernatural revelation.
This verse comes after Daniel and his friends have already distinguished themselves by choosing a healthier diet and, as a result, looking better than their peers. Now, as their rigorous three-year training program concludes, the text highlights the unique intellectual and spiritual gifts God bestowed upon these young men, especially Daniel, preparing them for their crucial roles in the Babylonian court.
This verse comes after Daniel and his friends have already distinguished themselves by choosing a healthier diet and, as a result, looking better than their peers. Now, as their rigorous three-year training program concludes, the text highlights the unique intellectual and spiritual gifts God bestowed upon these young men, especially Daniel, preparing them for their crucial roles in the Babylonian court.
"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." — While all four youths received God's gift of learning, Daniel was uniquely given understanding of visions and dreams, highlighting a special prophetic calling beyond general wisdom. This doesn't impl…
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Last reviewed October 2026