DANIEL 1:20

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. [AKJV]

Far beyond comparing these 4 young men with their fellow classmates, and now beyond comparing them with all the magicians and the enchanters/astrologers in the entire realm and kingdom of Babylon; these four young men were ten times better than all the wisest and magical people that were in the kingdom or realm of Babylon. This was discovered by the king, Nebuchadnezzar, himself when he asked them questions, inquired or consulted with them in all matters and secrets of wisdom.

This is not just saying Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, had more understanding than all their teachers. Rather this is saying these four named men far exceeded their "Rated Prejudices" in the king's enquiries. Other Characters in the Bible (like Joseph before Pharaoh, Solomon before the Queen of Sheba) far exceeded their "Rated Prejudices" in Kings' Enquiries of them.

In the King's Enquiries, the "Answers of Wisdom" are as good as or even better than the "Works of Wisdom." Therefore, Wisdom is not just known by Works/Acts of Wisdom done, but also known by Answers/Counsel of Wisdom. A man could have done or built great Works of Wisdom as architect or wise master builder, and yet another man without building such great Works would exceed him by "Answers of Wisdom" greater than "Works of Wisdom."

Magicians, Astrologers, Enchanters or Sorcerers, basically show their works to show their wisdom; or their wisdom is seen or known by their works called 'miracles, magic or powers.' But Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, did no performance or no works that could be seen by men to point out their wisdom; and yet the king found them to be ten times better than the workers, the magicians, the enchanters, astrologers and sorcerers.

Infact, a major difference between Joseph and Daniel in wisdom, or between Solomon and Daniel in wisdom, is that you may point out the physical works Joseph or Solomon later did with the Wisdom in him, but there was no physical work to point at as the achievement of Daniel in all his wisdom, knowledge of science and understanding, both in spiritual and scientific matters.

So if you are like those who require "Work Experience" or "Previous Works Done" before you hire someone to work for you, you may miss someone like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. But if you are hiring like Nebuchadnezzar, you will value people like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. To add one more person, add "Ahithophel" that great counselor David had before he rebelled against David and joined Absalom.

Am separating between "Wisdom of Workmanship" (Wisdom to do Works) and "Wisdom of Demystification" (Wisdom to know Secrets or do Counseling).

* Name 5 men in the Bible that had very great "Wisdom of Workmanship" to do great Works for God:

— Joseph in Egypt, — Bezaleel and Aholiab and all the wise hearted people in the wilderness [Exodus 31:1-6], — Joshua [Deuteronomy 34:9] — Solomon.

Why I mentioned these 5 men is because with their Wisdom of Workmanship, they had no record of further consulting adviser or counselor for any direction: others with wisdom of workmanship at some point had some advisers, counselors, mentors, or precedence as reference or pattern to follow. These 5 had enough.

* Name 5 men in the Bible that had very great "Wisdom of Demystification" to know Secrets (mysteries) or Counseling:

— The Serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1) before he abused it in counseling the Woman to eat of the forbidden tree, and therefore God overthrew him. Though the Serpent may not have eaten it himself, he was overthrown for counseling another person to eat it
— Ahithophel before he abused it in counseling a man to commit fornication and have sex with women that another man had, and therefore God overthrew him. Though Ahithophel may not have Fornicated himself, he was overthrown for counseling or telling another person to fornicate. (2 Samuel 16:20-23 and 17:14).
— Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, who did not abuse it: for they neither counseled/committed Fornication being Eunuchs, nor defiled themselves with eating and drinking that which was forbidden to them.

Nevertheless, Ezekiel the prophet witnessed that someone was wiser than Daniel in Wisdom of Demystification. As it is written,

[Ezekiel 28:3-5] — "Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from you: With your wisdom and with your understanding you have gotten you riches, and have gotten gold and silver into your treasures: By your great wisdom and by your traffic have you increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches:"