Daniel 3:20

20 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army ¹to bind ²Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:20 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 3:20

And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army,
&c.] The most famous for courage of mind, and strength of body, that were in all his army: to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
either their hands or their feet, or both; unless it can be thought that they were all three bound together in one bundle, and so cast into the furnace; which is not improbable, as Gejerus observes; seeing the king afterwards wondered to see them walk separately in the furnace: there was no need to bind them, for they would not have resisted; and if he ordered this to secure them from the power of their God, it was vain and foolish: and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace:
if they were all three bound together, it required some able bodied men to take them up and cast them in, especially if the furnace was above them; though it is more probable that it was a more depressed place, or below them, and so the cast was more easy.

Daniel 3:20 In-Context

18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated.

20 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

21 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace.

22 Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Cross References

• 1. [ver. 24, 25]
• 2. [See ver. 12 above]