“Daniel determined that he would not defile himself …” (Daniel 1:8a)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge …” (Proverbs 1:7)

“The king ordered Asphenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring some of the Isreaelites from the royal family and from the nobility - young men without any physical defect, goodlooking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable, perceptive , and capable of serving in the kings’ palace - and to teach them che Chaldean language and literature.” (Daniel 1:3-4)

“God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom.” (Daniel 1:17)

“In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them 10 times better than all the diviner-priests and mediums in his entire kingdom.” (Daniel 1:20)

Young Jewish boys had to be familiar with the Torah (Hebrew word for instruction): the 1st five books of the Bible also known as the 5 Books of Moses and the Pentateuch. And be familiar with the Talmud, which explains the written texts of the Torah so that people would know how to apply it to their lives.

“Then Daniel went to his house and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah about the matter, urging them to ask the God of heaven for mercy concerning this mystery, so Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of Babylon’s wise men.” (Daniel 2:17-18)

“The king said to Daniel, ‘Your God is indeed God of gods, Lord of Kings, and a revealer of mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.” The king promoted Daniel and gave him generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon.” (Daniel 2:47-48)