Charles Ellicott Commentary Daniel 1:4

"youths in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skilful in all wisdom, and endued with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability to stand in the king`s palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans." — Daniel 1:4 (ASV)

Children. If the Babylonian customs were similar to the Persian, it is probable that the course of education would begin at an early age. So elaborate a system of science as the Babylonian, whether theological, astronomical, or magical, would naturally require an early training. It is reasonable to suppose that these “children” were quite young. This may be inferred from Nebuchadnezzar’s amazement at what he considered to be Daniel’s precocious genius (Daniel 2:26).

To stand, that is, to act as courtiers or servants. (Compare 2 Kings 5:25 and Daniel 1:19 below.)

Learning of the Chaldeans. Many interesting specimens of this may be seen in the volumes of the Records of the Past, which are devoted to Assyrian and Babylonian subjects. Many more examples may be seen in the British Museum, and among them the large treatise on magic, which originally consisted of no less than two hundred tablets. It appears, from comparing this with Daniel 1:19, that some form of examination was held by the king before he admitted the courtiers into his immediate service. The language of Chaldea at this time was Semitic; but there was also a sacred language in use, which probably belonged to the Turanian family. In both these languages was Daniel educated.