Dan 1:15-21 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Dan 1:15-21: 1:15-21 In their training, Daniel and his friends completed a tough curriculum in the context of the most threatening pagan culture of the day, yet they remained faithful to the Lord. As they mastered language, literature, and science, they pursued excellence and honored God, who added many gifts to their skills and learning.

a1:15-21►

b1:17►

cGen 37:5-11►

d1:19►

eGen 41:37-40►

f45:5►

gExod 2:1-10►

h1:20►

iGen 44:1-15►

jExod 7:11►

k1:21►

lIsa 45:1-2►

‏ Daniel 1:15-21

Summary for Dan 1:15-21: 1:15-21 ^a In their training, Daniel and his friends completed a tough curriculum in the context of the most threatening pagan culture of the day, yet they remained faithful to the Lord. As they mastered language, literature, and science, they pursued excellence and honored God, who added many gifts to their skills and learning.
1:17 ^b All four young men were outstanding students. God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret ... visions and dreams, which were often prophetic (cp. Joseph, Gen 37:5-11 ^c).
1:19 ^d The king talked with all the young men who were trained, not just Daniel and his three friends. This was a thorough oral examination and discussion of things that were most important to the king. God arranged for the four young men to be his witnesses among the nations, and they were greatly honored by being appointed to positions of power, responsibility, and opportunity (cp. Gen 41:37-40 ^e; 45:5 ^f; Exod 2:1-10 ^g).
1:20 ^h The magicians were a class of soothsayer priests who could also interpret dreams (cp. Gen 44:1-15 ⁱ) and do wonders (cp. Exod 7:11 ^j). The term enchanters (Hebrew ’ashap), found only in Daniel, comes from an Akkadian term for people who uttered spells.
1:21 ^k the first year of the reign of King Cyrus: Cyrus the Great ruled over Persia (559–530 BC), Media (from 549 BC), and Babylon (from 539 BC). He thus created the Persian Empire (539–331 BC; see study notes on 5:30, 31; cp. Isa 45:1-2 ^l).