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.

DANIEL 1:20KJV
Know the Bible

Daniel 1:20 (KJV)

What does Daniel 1:20 mean?

Daniel and his three companions showed far greater wisdom and understanding than the king’s established advisers when Nebuchadnezzar questioned them. The verse reports the king’s judgment after their training for service in his court.

The striking Hebrew expression behind “ten times better” literally uses “ten hands.” “Times” represents עֶשֶׂר (eser), “ten,” while “better” is linked to יָד (yad), “hand,” within the expression as a whole. Together, the words express a tenfold advantage. The point is their overwhelming superiority, rather than a measured examination score.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 1:20

  • “matters of wisdom and understanding” — דָּבָר (davar), חָכְמָה (chokhmah), בִּינָה (binah): “Matters” means a matter, subject, or affair. “Wisdom” includes knowledge and the skill to use it well; “understanding” means discernment—the ability to grasp and distinguish things. The king tested how well the four men understood and handled the subjects put before them.

  • “enquired” and “found” — בָּקַשׁ (baqash) and מָצָא (matsa): The first word means to seek; here, the king sought answers from them through questioning. The second means to find, here expressing the conclusion he reached. Their superiority emerged from the king’s own examination.

  • “magicians and astrologers” — חַרְטֹם (chartom) and אַשָּׁף (ashshaf): These name classes of learned court specialists associated with sacred knowledge, magic, and divination. “Astrologers” is narrower than the Hebrew clearly warrants: the second term refers to an enchanter or divination specialist, without specifically identifying someone who studies the stars. These men were the court’s recognized experts.

  • “king” and “realm” — מֶלֶךְ (melekh) and מַלְכוּת (malkhut): These mean “king” and “kingdom” or “royal dominion.” “All his realm” makes the comparison kingdom-wide, extending beyond the other young men trained alongside Daniel and his companions.

Why Daniel 1:20 matters

  • All four companions share the distinction. “Them” refers to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, whom the king had just interviewed in verses 18–19.

  • The king’s finding connects with the narrator’s explanation. Verse 17 says God gave the four knowledge and skill; verse 20 describes the superiority Nebuchadnezzar recognized when he questioned them.

Where else these words appear

“astrologers” Hebrew H825 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 2:2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

“magicians” Hebrew H2748 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 41:8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
  • Exodus 7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.
  • Exodus 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

“understanding” Hebrew H998 · used in 38 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
  • Job 39:17 Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
  • Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

“realm” Hebrew H4438 · used in 82 verses

  • Numbers 24:7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.
  • Esther 5:6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.