Daniel 1:20

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וְכֹ֗ל דְּבַר֙ חָכְמַ֣ת בִּינָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־בִּקֵּ֥שׁ מֵהֶ֖ם הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַֽיִּמְצָאֵ֞ם עֶ֣שֶׂר יָד֗וֹת עַ֤ל כָּל־הַֽחַרְטֻמִּים֙ הָֽאַשָּׁפִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּכָל־מַלְכוּתֽוֹ׃

Transliteration

and-every dəbhar ḥokhmath bînāh ʾăsher-biqqēsh from-them the-melekh wayyimtsāʾēm ten yādhôth above all-the-ḥarṭummîm the-ʾashshāphîm ʾăsher in-all-malkhûthô

Grammar Details

• *dəbhar*: noun masculine singular construct - matter of
• *ḥokhmath*: noun feminine singular construct - wisdom of
• *bînāh*: noun feminine singular - understanding
• *ʾăsher*: relative pronoun - who
• *biqqēsh*: piel perfect, 3rd masculine singular - he sought
• *melekh*: noun masculine singular with definite article - the king
• *wayyimtsāʾēm*: qal imperfect with waw consecutive, 3rd masculine singular + 3rd masculine plural suffix - and he found them
• *yādhôth*: noun feminine plural - hands/times
• *ḥarṭummîm*: noun masculine plural with definite article - the magicians
• *ʾashshāphîm*: noun masculine plural with definite article - the enchanters/astrologers
• *malkhûthô*: noun feminine singular with 3rd masculine singular suffix - his kingdom

Word Meanings

• *dəbhar ḥokhmath bînāh*: matter of wisdom and understanding/question requiring wisdom
• *biqqēsh*: sought/inquired/asked
• *wayyimtsāʾēm*: and he found them/and he discovered them
• *ʿeśer yādhôth*: ten times/tenfold
• *ḥarṭummîm*: magicians/diviners/dream interpreters
• *ʾashshāphîm*: enchanters/astrologers/conjurers
• *malkhûthô*: his kingdom/his realm/his domain

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And in every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  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.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  which in all wisdome and matters off vnderstodinge, that he enquered off them, founde them ten tymes better, the all the soythsayers and charmers, that were in all his realme.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  And in all matters of wisedome, and vnderstanding that the King enquired of them, hee founde them tenne times better then all the inchanters and astrologians, that were in all his realme.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  In all matters of wysdome and vnderstanding that the king enquired of them, he founde them ten times better then all the wyse men and soothsayers that were in all his realme.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  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.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  In every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  and `in' any matter of wisdom `and' understanding that the king hath sought of them, he findeth them ten hands above all the scribes, the enchanters, who `are' in all his kingdom.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And in every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And in every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And in any business needing wisdom and good sense, about which the king put questions to them, he saw that they were ten times better than all the wonder-workers and users of secret arts in all his kingdom.

• World English Bible (2000)

  In every matter of wisdom and understanding, concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  In every matter of wisdom and insight the king asked them about, he found them to be ten times better than any of the magicians and astrologers that were in his entire empire.

Referenced Verses

• Exod 7:22 : 22 But the magicians of Egypt did the same thing by their secret arts, and Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened. He would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said.
• Exod 8:7 : 7 The frogs will depart from you, your houses, your officials, and your people; they will remain only in the Nile.
• Exod 8:19 : 19 I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign will take place tomorrow.
• Num 14:22 : 22 none of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times,
• 1 Kgs 10:23-24 : 23 King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the kings of the earth. 24 The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.
• Neh 4:12 : 12 Every builder had his sword strapped to his side as he worked, and the one who sounded the trumpet stood beside me.
• Job 19:3 : 3 You have insulted me ten times now; you are not even ashamed that you mistreat me.
• Gen 31:7 : 7 Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not let him harm me.
• Gen 41:8 : 8 In the morning, Pharaoh's spirit was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians of Egypt and its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
• Isa 19:3 : 3 The spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied from within them, and I will confound their plans. They will seek idols, mediums, spirits, and fortune-tellers.
• Dan 2:13 : 13 The decree was issued, and the wise men were being put to death. They also sought Daniel and his companions to execute them.
• Dan 2:21 : 21 He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
• Dan 2:27-28 : 27 Daniel answered the king, saying, "The mystery which the king asks about cannot be revealed by wise men, enchanters, magicians, or diviners. 28 However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions in your mind as you lay on your bed are as follows.
• Dan 4:7-9 : 7 These were the visions I saw while lying on my bed: I looked, and there stood a tree in the middle of the earth, and its height was enormous. 8 The tree grew large and strong, its top reached the heavens, and it was visible to the ends of the earth. 9 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and it provided food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and every creature was fed from it. 10 In the visions I saw while lying on my bed, I looked, and there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven. 11 He called out loudly and said: ‘Cut down the tree and chop off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 12 But leave the stump with its roots in the ground, bound with iron and bronze, surrounded by the tender grass of the field. Let it be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let it live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 13 Let his mind be changed from that of a human, and let the mind of a beast be given to him, and let seven periods of time pass over him. 14 This decision is by the decree of the watchers and the sentence by the command of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men, and He gives them to whomever He will and sets the lowliest of men over them. 15 This is the dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, explain its meaning, because none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you are able because the spirit of the holy gods is in you. 16 Then Daniel, also called Belteshazzar, was stunned for a moment, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king spoke and said, 'Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.' Belteshazzar answered, 'My lord, may the dream concern your enemies and its interpretation concern your adversaries!' 17 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which was visible to the whole earth, 18 whose foliage was beautiful and fruit abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens nested—
• Dan 5:7-8 : 7 The king called out loudly to bring in the enchanters, Chaldeans, and diviners. He declared to the wise men of Babylon, 'Whoever reads the writing and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain placed around their neck, and be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.' 8 Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant.
• Dan 5:17 : 17 Then Daniel answered the king, 'You may keep your gifts or give your rewards to someone else; nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.'
• 2 Tim 3:8-9 : 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth. They are corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far because their folly will be clear to everyone, just as the folly of Jannes and Jambres became evident.
• Isa 47:12-14 : 12 Persist then with your spells and your many sorceries, with which you have labored from your youth—perhaps you might succeed, perhaps you might cause terror. 13 You are wearied with your many counsels; let those who divide the heavens, those who gaze at the stars, those who announce the months, stand now and save you from what is coming upon you. 14 Behold, they are like stubble; fire consumes them. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coal for warming oneself, nor fire to sit before.
• Dan 2:2-9 : 2 So the king commanded to summon the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and Chaldeans to explain his dreams to him. They came and stood before the king. 3 The king said to them, "I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit is troubled to understand the dream." 4 Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, "O king, live forever! Tell the dream to your servants, and we will reveal its interpretation." 5 The king answered the Chaldeans, saying, "The command from me is firm: if you do not make the dream and its interpretation known to me, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be turned into rubble. 6 But if you reveal the dream and its interpretation, you will receive gifts, rewards, and great honor from me. So declare the dream and its interpretation to me." 7 They answered again, saying, "Let the king tell the dream to his servants, and we will reveal its interpretation." 8 The king responded, "I am certain that you are trying to gain time because you see that my command is firm. 9 If you do not make the dream known to me, there is only one decree for you. You have agreed to speak false and corrupt words before me until the situation changes. Therefore, tell me the dream, so that I may know that you can reveal its interpretation." 10 The Chaldeans answered the king, saying, "There is no man on earth who can declare the king's matter. No great and powerful king has ever asked such a thing from any magician, enchanter, or Chaldean. 11 What the king is asking is too difficult, and no one can reveal it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals."
• Exod 7:11-12 : 11 Pharaoh then summoned the wise men and sorcerers, and the magicians of Egypt did the same things by their secret arts. 12 Each one threw down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.
• Ps 119:99 : 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.
• 1 Kgs 10:1-3 : 1 When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship with the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. 2 She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large entourage—with camels carrying spices, a great deal of gold, and precious stones. She came to Solomon and spoke to him about everything that was on her mind. 3 Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing too difficult for the king to explain to her.