Daniel 1:17 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 1:17-21

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:17

As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom ,.... As they prospered in their bodies, they succeeded in their studies, and improved in their minds, and became great proficients in all kind of lawful and useful knowledge; not owing so much to their own sagacity and diligence, and the goodness and ability of their teachers, as to the blessing of God on their instructions and studies; for, as all natural, so all acquired parts are to be ascribed to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:17

As for these four children - Young men or youths. Our translation gives a false idea. In all visions and dreams - That is, such as are Divine; for as to dreams in general, they have as much signification as they have connection, being the effects of the state of the body, of the mind, or of the circumstances of the dreamer. A dream may be considered supernatural, if it have nothing preposterous, nothing monstrous, and nothing irregular. If the whole order and consequences of the things... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:17

Verse 17 The Prophet here shows what we have already touched upon, how his authority was acquired for exercising the prophetic office with greater advantage. He ought to be distinguished by fixed marks, that the Jews first, and foreigners afterwards, might acknowledge him to be endued with the prophetic spirit. But a portion of this favor was shared with his three companions; yet he excelled them all, because God fitted him specially for his office. Here the end is to be noticed, because it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:3-21

Training for imperial office and work. The name and the nature of a king are not always yoked together. Jehoiakim had been professedly a king, but was, in truth, a slave. Daniel and his companions, though led into exile as captives, had within them kingly qualities, which could not be degraded by strangers. As living water from the flinty rock will rise through every kind of strata, and find its way to the surface, so, through all adversities, innate nobleness will assert its imperial... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:5-21

Moral heroism. "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself" (verse 8). I. THE VARYING CONDITIONS OF IMMORTALITY . The reference is to subjective immortality, i.e. in the memories of men. The principal stable condition seems to be the possession of soul-power (see Luke 1:80 ; Luke 2:40 ). But this may develop itself: 1 . Evilly. The immortality then is one of infamy. 2 . Continuously ; e.g. Daniel, through a long life. 3 . Specially... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:17

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 Ezekiel, where a similar phrase occurs, the four cherubim form a quaternion in a very special way. As we have already seen, the Assyrians in a feast arranged the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 1:17

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 direct inspiration. Inspiration was evidently confined to Daniel, and pertained to what is spoken of under the head of “visions and dreams.” The fact that “all” this... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 1:17

Daniel 1:17. As for these four children The Hebrew is literally, As to these children, or young men, each of them four: to them God gave knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom That is, in all sorts of learning and knowledge. They became particularly skilful in those parts of the Chaldean learning which were really useful, and which might recommend them to the favour of the kings both of Babylon and Persia, and qualify them for places of trust under them; as Moses’s education in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:1-21

1:1-6:28 STORIES ABOUT DANIEL AND HIS FRIENDSTraining for Nebuchadnezzar’s court (1:1-21)Babylon’s first attack on Jerusalem came in 605 BC, during the reign of the Judean king Jehoiakim. In keeping with the usual practice among conquerors in ancient times, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar plundered the temple of the conquered people, carried off its sacred objects and placed them in his own temple. In this way Nebuchadnezzar demonstrated his belief that Babylon’s gods were superior to the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 1:17-21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 1:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:3-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:5-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 1:17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 1:17

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 1:17

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Daniel 1:1-21

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