Daniel 1:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

God bestowed upon these young men insight and comprehension regarding all texts and wisdom, and to Daniel, He granted the ability to interpret all visions and dreams. It is noteworthy that the Lord imparted to these holy youths knowledge and understanding of worldly disciplines found within each manuscript. Instead, Simmachus rendered it as the art of grammar, enabling them to grasp everything they read, and by the Spirit of God, they discerned the wisdom of the Chaldeans. Daniel held a unique position among the three young men, as he possessed the ability to perceive visions and dreams with profound clarity, in which the future was revealed through enigmatic symbols, allowing him to envision with understanding what others merely interpreted as apparitions.

God granted these four young men insight and wisdom in all the knowledge contained in their texts. The Prophet indicates that it was not the knowledge from the Chaldeans that illuminated their understanding, but rather divine grace empowered them with understanding, wisdom, and extensive knowledge, positioning them above all others. It is noted that Daniel possessed discernment regarding every vision and dream; from a young age, he experienced Divine revelations, not only through dreams but also in his conscious state, enabling him to interpret messages that others could not grasp, which illustrates his profound understanding. We can glean from this that the Lord of all does not make distinctions based on age; instead, He values righteousness and devoutness.

The three young men and Daniel did not engage in the futile studies of the Chaldeans, contrary to what some might believe. Their devout commitment to God was such that they refused to partake in the king's delicacies; would they truly have submitted to a life of subservient learning, even under the threat of death? This is confirmed by Scripture, which states that God bestowed upon them knowledge and wisdom in all matters of the sacred text (Dan. 1:17). They attained wisdom through the Scriptures rather than through mere expectation or hope, as the term "scriptural wisdom" indicates. This is further validated by their refusal to worship the royal image, and the fact that one was protected from lions while the others were delivered through the flames. If it is claimed that their achievements stemmed from Persian knowledge, then one must ask why many high-ranking individuals, well-versed in Persian teachings, faced death by lions or fire before they even touched the ground.