Daniel 3:13

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar commanded, in strong vengeance and in wrath, that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego should be brought; which were brought anon in the sight of the king (who were brought in at once before the king).

Daniel 3:13 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 3:13

Then Nebuchadnezzar, in his rage and fury
Which did not became him as a man, much less as a king, and still less as engaged in devotion and religion; commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego;
that is, immediately before him; who very probably were not afar off: he did not order them in his wrath and fury to be slain directly, as he did the wise men and soothsayers in another case; but to be brought before him, and examined first, that he might know the truth of these allegations against them; which shows, amidst all his rage, he retained still some respect for them, and esteem of them: then they brought these men before the king;
which they had not much trouble to do, being very ready to come and answer for themselves, and give an account of their conduct, and their reason for it.

Daniel 3:13 In-Context

11 forsooth if any man falleth not down, and worshippeth not, be he sent into the furnace of fire burning (and if anyone falleth not down, and worshippeth not, be he sent into the furnace of burning fire.)
12 Therefore men Jews be, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, which thou hast ordained on the works of the country of Babylon. Thou king, these men have despised thy decree; they honour not thy gods, and they worship not the golden image, which thou raisedest. (And so there be some Jews, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, whom thou hast ordained over the works of the province of Babylon. O king, these men have despised thy decree; they do not honour thy gods, and they do not worship the gold figure, which thou hast raised up.)
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar commanded, in strong vengeance and in wrath, that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego should be brought; which were brought anon in the sight of the king (who were brought in at once before the king).
14 And the king Nebuchadnezzar pronounced, and said to them, Whether verily Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye honour not my gods, and worship not the golden image which I made? (And King Nebuchadnezzar said to them, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do ye truly not honour my gods, and not worship the gold figure which I have made, or which I have raised up?)
15 Now therefore be ye ready, in whatever hour ye hear the sound of trump, of pipe, of harp, of sambuca, of psaltery, and of symphony, and of all kind of musics, bow ye down you, and worship the image which I made; that if ye worship not, in the same hour ye shall be sent into the furnace of fire burning; and who is God that shall deliver you from mine hand? (And so now be ye ready, at whatever hour ye hear the sound of the trumpet, and pipe, and harp, and zither, and lute, yea, of a symphony, and of all kinds of music, to bow ye yourselves down, and worship the figure which I have made; but if ye do not worship it, in that same hour ye shall be sent into the furnace of burning fire; and then what god shall rescue you, or shall save you, from my power?)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.