Verse 17
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 [Daniel 1:4] had ethical religious overtones, for without wholehearted commitment to the Lord and obedience to His will there could be no wisdom (Job 28:28)." [Note: Ibid., p. 79.]
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