Daniel 1:4
Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְטוֹבֵ֨י
but well
H2896
וְטוֹבֵ֨י
but well
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
7 of 25
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
מַרְאֶ֜ה
favoured
H4758
מַרְאֶ֜ה
favoured
Strong's:
H4758
Word #:
8 of 25
a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks),
וּמַשְׂכִּילִ֣ים
and skilful
H7919
וּמַשְׂכִּילִ֣ים
and skilful
Strong's:
H7919
Word #:
9 of 25
to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְיֹ֤דְעֵי
and cunning
H3045
וְיֹ֤דְעֵי
and cunning
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
12 of 25
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וּמְבִינֵ֣י
and understanding
H995
וּמְבִינֵ֣י
and understanding
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
14 of 25
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
וַאֲשֶׁר֙
H834
וַאֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
כֹּ֣חַ
and such as had ability
H3581
כֹּ֣חַ
and such as had ability
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
17 of 25
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
לַעֲמֹ֖ד
in them to stand
H5975
לַעֲמֹ֖ד
in them to stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
19 of 25
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
בְּהֵיכַ֣ל
palace
H1964
בְּהֵיכַ֣ל
palace
Strong's:
H1964
Word #:
20 of 25
a large public building, such as a palace or temple
וּֽלֲלַמְּדָ֥ם
and whom they might teach
H3925
וּֽלֲלַמְּדָ֥ם
and whom they might teach
Strong's:
H3925
Word #:
22 of 25
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
סֵ֖פֶר
the learning
H5612
סֵ֖פֶר
the learning
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
23 of 25
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
Cross References
Daniel 5:11There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;Acts 7:22And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.Proverbs 22:29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.2 Samuel 14:25But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.Daniel 2:10The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
Historical Context
Chaldean learning included literature, astronomy, mathematics, divination, and religious texts. The language was Akkadian, written in cuneiform script. Three years represents intensive education similar to modern graduate programs. Physical perfection was required for royal court service—no disabilities or disfigurements. This reflects ancient Near Eastern association of physical wholeness with spiritual and intellectual capacity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Babylon's demand for excellence challenge us to pursue competence in our callings while maintaining spiritual integrity?
- What does the three-year indoctrination program teach us about the sustained nature of worldly pressure to conform?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The selection criteria emphasize excellence: no blemish (physical perfection), well-favored (attractive), skillful in wisdom, knowledgeable, understanding science, and able to stand in the king's palace. Babylon sought the best, prefiguring how God demands excellence from His servants. The purpose—teaching Chaldean learning and tongue—aimed at cultural assimilation. Daniel and friends would face pressure to abandon Hebrew identity and adopt pagan worldview through intense three-year indoctrination.