Dan 1:17, 20 | JFB | e4.org | 17. God gave them knowledge — ( ). Daniel had understanding in . . . 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 ( ). 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 "CONTENTS OF THE BOOK. "

‏ Daniel 1:17

17. God gave them knowledge— (Ex 31:2, 3; 1Ki 3:12; Job 32:8; Jas 1:5, 17).

Daniel had understanding in . . . 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 (Ge 40:5; 41:1-8). 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 1:20

20. ten times—literally, "ten hands."

magicians—properly, "sacred scribes, skilled in the sacred writings, a class of Egyptian priests" [GESENIUS]; from a Hebrew root, "a pen." The word in our English Version, "magicians," comes from mag, that is, "a priest." The Magi formed one of the six divisions of the Medes.

astrologers—Hebrew, "enchanters," from a root, "to conceal," pactisers of the occult arts.