Daniel 3:1-7

The King's Golden Image

1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an 1image of gold, the height of which was sixty cubits and its width six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the 2province of Babylon.
2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent word to assemble the 3satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
3 Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces were assembled for the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed: "To you the command is given, 4O peoples, nations and men of every language,
5 that at the moment you 5hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up.
6 "But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be 6cast into the midst of a 7furnace of blazing fire."
7 Therefore * * at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Daniel 3:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL 3

In this chapter an account is given of a golden image made by Nebuchadnezzar; its size; and where placed, Da 3:1, a summons to all his princes, governors, and officers, to attend the dedication of it, Da 3:2,3, a proclamation commanding men of all nations to fall down and worship it, at hearing the sound of music, Da 3:4-7, an accusation of the Jews to the king, particularly Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, for not worshipping it, Da 3:8-12, the king's sending for them in rage, and threatening to cast them into a fiery furnace if they continued to disobey his will, Da 3:13-15, their answer, which showed an inflexible resolution at all events not to comply with it, Da 3:16-18 the king's order to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual, and cast them into it, which was executed; the consequence of which was, they that cast them in were destroyed through the vehement heat of the furnace, but the three Jews were unhurt, Da 3:19-23. Nebuchadnezzar's amazement at the sight of four persons, instead of three; and these loose, walking in the midst of the fire without hurt; and one of them like the Son of God, which he observed to his counsellors, Da 3:24,25, upon which he called to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, to come out of the furnace, which they did in the presence of his princes, governors, and officers, having received not the least harm in their persons or clothes, Da 3:26,27 and then the king, praising the God of the Jews, published an edict that none should speak against him on pain of death; and restored the three men to their former dignity, Da 3:28-30.

Cross References 7

  • 1. 1 Kings 12:28; Isaiah 46:6; Jeremiah 16:20; Daniel 2:31; Hosea 2:8; Hosea 8:4; Habakkuk 2:19
  • 2. Daniel 2:48; Daniel 3:30
  • 3. Daniel 3:3, 27; Daniel 6:1-7
  • 4. Daniel 3:7; Daniel 4:1; Daniel 6:25
  • 5. Dan 3:7, 10, 15
  • 6. Dan 3:11, 15, 21; Daniel 6:7
  • 7. Jeremiah 29:22; Ezekiel 22:18-22; Matthew 13:42, 50; Revelation 9:2; Revelation 14:11

Footnotes 10

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