The Meaning of Daniel 1:17 Explained

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.

YLT: As to these four lads, God hath given to them knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature, and wisdom; and Daniel hath given instruction about every kind of vision and dreams.

Darby: 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.

ASV: 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.

Discover Daniel 1:17

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Daniel 1:17?

MEANING: What does Daniel 1:17 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Daniel 1:17 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Daniel 1:17?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Daniel 1:17 Mean?

Verse Meaning

In addition to favor with their overseers, God gave Daniel and his three friends the ability to master the subjects they studied and wisdom in these matters (cf. James 1:5). They may have thought that Nebuchadnezzar had designed their curriculum, but really God had. Like Moses and Paul, Daniel had an excellent educational background and an unusually brilliant mind (cf. Acts 7:22; Philippians 3:4). God also gave Daniel the supernatural ability to understand visions and dreams ( Daniel 1:17). Visions and dreams were the primary means God used to communicate His revelations to prophets in the Old Testament ( Numbers 12:6). From the writer"s perspective, Daniel qualified for the blessing of receiving this special gift by choosing to remain loyal to God"s will. Daniel"s similarity to Joseph is again obvious.
"In Hebrew usage the wisdom terms of this verse [1] had ethical religious overtones, for without wholehearted commitment to the Lord and obedience to His will there could be no wisdom ( Job 28:28)." [2]

Context Summary

Daniel 1:1-21 - Moral Courage Rewarded
These young men of noble Jewish families were brought to Babylon to receive education for the civil service. Their names were altered to break, so far as possible, their connection with the past. The food provided probably contravened Leviticus 3:17. According to the usual custom it had been presented before an idol, 1 Corinthians 8:10. Note those words: Daniel purposed in his heart. It is all important to resolve in one's heart that certain things are not possible for us. Too many of us have a secret reserve. We barricade the front door but leave the back door on the latch. We ought to realize the extent to which Paul referred when he said, "dead to sin." God always cooperates with His servants when they are true to Him. He brought Daniel into favor; He gave him skill; He caused his face and that of his three friends, to bear the hue of health. Let us trust Him to do His part! This is the secret of continuance, Daniel 1:21. [source]

Chapter Summary: Daniel 1

1  Jehoiakim's captivity
3  Ashpenaz takes Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah
8  They refusing the king's portion do prosper with pulse and water
17  Their proficiency in wisdom

What do the individual words in Daniel 1:17 mean?

And as for young men these four gave them God knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom and Daniel had understanding visions and dreams
וְהַיְלָדִ֤ים הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙ אַרְבַּעְתָּ֔ם נָתַ֨ן לָהֶ֧ם הָֽאֱלֹהִ֛ים מַדָּ֥ע וְהַשְׂכֵּ֖ל בְּכָל־ סֵ֣פֶר וְחָכְמָ֑ה וְדָנִיֵּ֣אל הֵבִ֔ין חָז֖וֹן וַחֲלֹמֽוֹת

וְהַיְלָדִ֤ים  And  as  for  young  men 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: יֶלֶד  
Sense: child, son, boy, offspring, youth.
הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙  these 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, common plural
Root: אֵהֶל 
Sense: these.
אַרְבַּעְתָּ֔ם  four 
Parse: Number, masculine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: אַרְבַּע  
Sense: four.
נָתַ֨ן  gave 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֛ים  God 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
מַדָּ֥ע  knowledge 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מַדָּע  
Sense: knowledge, thought.
וְהַשְׂכֵּ֖ל  and  skill 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Infinitive absolute
Root: שָׂכַל 
Sense: to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper.
בְּכָל־  in  all 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
סֵ֣פֶר  literature 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: סֵפֶר 
Sense: book.
וְחָכְמָ֑ה  and  wisdom 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: חָכְמָה  
Sense: wisdom.
וְדָנִיֵּ֣אל  and  Daniel 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּנִאֵל 
Sense: the 2nd son of David, by Abigail the Carmelitess.
הֵבִ֔ין  had  understanding 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בִּין  
Sense: to discern, understand, consider.
חָז֖וֹן  visions 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חָזׄון  
Sense: vision.
וַחֲלֹמֽוֹת  and  dreams 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine plural
Root: חֲלֹום  
Sense: dream.

What are the major concepts related to Daniel 1:17?

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Similar Scriptures for Daniel 1:17

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