Daniel 1:20

“And in all matters of wisdom and understanding that the king inquired of them, etc.] At the time of their examination before him, when he put questions to them, which they gave a ready, pertinent, and solid answer to: and afterwards, when he had occasion to consult them on any affair, he found them ten times, or ten handsf55 better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm; than all the magi and sophies, the enchanters, diviners, soothsayers, and such who pretended to judicial astrology, and to judge of and foretell things by the position of the stars; these young men were able to give more pertinent answers to questions put to them, and better advice and counsel when…”

“ten times--literally, "ten hands." magicians--properly, "sacred scribes, skilled in the sacred writings, a class of Egyptian priests" [GESENIUS]; from a Hebrew root, "a pen." The word in our English Version, "magicians," comes from mag, that is, "a priest." The Magi formed one of the six divisions of the Medes. astrologers--Hebrew, "enchanters," from a root, "to conceal," pactisers of the occult arts.”

“And in all matters of wisdom and understanding - Margin, “of.” The Hebrew is, “Everything of wisdom of understanding.” The Greek, “In all things of wisdom “and” knowledge.” The meaning is, in everything which required peculiar wisdom to understand and explain it. The points submitted were such as would appropriately come before the minds of the sages and magicians who were employed as counselors at court. He found them ten times better - Better counselors, better informed. Hebrew, “ten “hands” above the magicians;” that is, ten “times,” or “many” times. In this sense the word “ten” is used in Genesis 31:7, Genesis 31:41; Numbers 14:22; Nehemiah 4:12; Job 19:3. They greatly surpassed them.…”

“The king enquired - This is a farther confirmation of the king's noble endowments, and of his great care whom he chose to be in offices of trust, namely persons excellently qualified to serve him in the great affairs of the kingdom. And thus did God pour contempt upon the pride of the Chaldeans, and put honour on the low estate of his people. Daniel 1:21”

“1:20 The magicians were a class of soothsayer priests who could also interpret dreams (cp. Gen 44:1-15) and do wonders (cp. Exod 7:11). The term enchanters (Hebrew ’ashap), found only in Daniel, comes from an Akkadian term for people who uttered spells.”

“in all: Kg1 4:29-34, Kg1 10:1-3, Kg1 10:23, Kg1 10:24; Psa 119:99 wisdom and understanding: Heb. wisdom of understanding ten: Gen 31:7; Num 14:22; Neh 4:12; Job 19:3 the magicians: Dan 2:2-11, Dan 2:21-23, Dan 4:7, Dan 4:8-18, Dan 5:7, Dan 5:8, Dan 5:17; Gen 41:8; Exo 7:11, Exo 7:12, Exo 7:22, Exo 8:7, Exo 8:19; Isa 19:3, Isa 47:12-14; Ti2 3:8, Ti2 3:9 Daniel 1:21”