Daniel 3:1-18

The Image of Gold and the Blazing Furnace

1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,^[a] and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up.

3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do:

5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

8 At this time some astrologers^[b] came forward and denounced the Jews.

9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever!

10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold,

11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.

12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,

14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?

15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us^[c] from Your Majesty’s hand.

18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Daniel 3:1-18 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

• 1. ver 14; S Isaiah 46:6; Jeremiah 16:20; Habakkuk 2:19
• 2. S Esther 1:1
• 3. ver 27; Daniel 6:7
• 4. Daniel 4:1; Daniel 6:25; Revelation 10:11
• 5. S Genesis 4:21
• 6. Revelation 13:12
• 7. ver 10,15
• 8. ver 11,15,21; Jeremiah 29:22; Daniel 5:19; Daniel 6:7; Matthew 13:42,50; Revelation 13:15
• 9. S ver 5
• 10. S Isaiah 19:3; S Daniel 2:10
• 11. S Nehemiah 2:3; Daniel 5:10; Daniel 6:6
• 12. Daniel 6:12
• 13. ver 4-6
• 14. S Daniel 2:49
• 15. Daniel 6:13
• 16. S Esther 3:3
• 17. S Daniel 2:12
• 18. Isaiah 46:1; Jeremiah 50:2
• 19. S ver 1
• 20. S Isaiah 36:18-20
• 21. Exodus 5:2; S 2 Chronicles 32:15
• 22. S Daniel 1:7
• 23. S Genesis 48:16; S Psalms 18:48; Psalms 27:1-2
• 24. S Job 5:19; Jeremiah 1:8; Daniel 6:20
• 25. ver 28; S Exodus 1:17; S Joshua 24:15

Footnotes

• [a] That is, about 90 feet high and 9 feet wide or about 27 meters high and 2.7 meters wide
• [b] Or "Chaldeans"
• [c] Or "If the God we serve is able to deliver us, then he will deliver us from the blazing furnace and"