Bible Strands
Daniel 1:20
In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports that King Nebuchadnezzar consults Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah after their training period. The king tests them on various matters and records the results of his inquiry.
The words — The Hebrew phrase דְּבַר חָכְמַת בִּינָה (de.Var cha.khe.Mat bi.Nah) literally means "matter of wisdom of understanding." The verb בִּקֵּשׁ (bi.Kesh) denotes the king’s active search for their expertise.
The thread — The text states that the youths' tested knowledge surpasses royal advisors, a pattern seen in Solomon's God-given insight (1 Kings 4:29) and the failure of Babylonian sorcery (Isaiah 47:12). It also parallels Pharaoh's magicians who could not match divine action (Exodus 8:19).
Why it lands — The verse states that empirical testing reveals the youths' superior competence. A reader must conclude that demonstrated results, not institutional title, determine true authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
Cross-references
- Exodus 8:19 “This is the finger of God,” the magicians said to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.
- 1 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore.
- Isaiah 47:12 So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror!
- Genesis 41:8 In the morning his spirit was troubled, so he summoned all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
- Genesis 31:7 And although he has cheated me and changed my wages ten times, God has not allowed him to harm me.
- Exodus 7:22 But the magicians of Egypt did the same things by their magic arts. So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.
- Exodus 8:7 But the magicians did the same thing by their magic arts, and they also brought frogs up onto the land of Egypt.
- Numbers 14:22 not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness—yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times—
- 1 Kings 10:1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions.
- 1 Kings 10:23 So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.