Daniel 1:4

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

יְלָדִ֣ים

H3206

Children

something born, i.e., a lad or offspring

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֵֽין

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

בָּהֶ֣ם

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מאוּם֩

H3971

in whom was no blemish

a blemish (physically or morally)

וְטוֹבֵ֨י

H2896

but well

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

H4758

favoured

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

H7919

and skilful

to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent

#10

בְּכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#11

חָכְמָ֗ה

H2451

in all wisdom

wisdom (in a good sense)

#12

וְיֹ֤דְעֵי

H3045

and cunning

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

#13

דַ֙עַת֙

H1847

in knowledge

knowledge

#14

וּמְבִינֵ֣י

H995

and understanding

to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand

#15

מַדָּ֔ע

H4093

science

intelligence or consciousness

#16

וַאֲשֶׁר֙

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#17

כֹּ֣חַ

H3581

and such as had ability

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

#18

בָּהֶ֔ם

#19

לַעֲמֹ֖ד

H5975

in them to stand

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

#20

בְּהֵיכַ֣ל

H1964

palace

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

#21

הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ

H4428

in the king's

a king

#22

וּֽלֲלַמְּדָ֥ם

H3925

and whom they might teach

properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)

#23

סֵ֖פֶר

H5612

the learning

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

#24

וּלְשׁ֥וֹן

H3956

and the tongue

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

#25

כַּשְׂדִּֽים׃

H3778

of the Chaldeans

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Daniel. The concept of wisdom reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood wisdom. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on wisdom address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How might the original audience's understanding of wisdom differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

Related Resources

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