Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 3

Clinging to a Counterfeit Cross
Introduction

1  Nebuchadnezzar dedicates a golden image in Dura.
8  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are accused for not worshipping the image.
13  They being threatened, make a good confession.
19  They are cast into the furnace,
24  from which God delivers them.
28  Nebuchadnezzar seeing the miracle blesses God, and advances them.
Verse 1

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
A. M. 3424. B.C. 580. made
2:31,32, 5:23, Exodus 20:23, 32:2-4,31, Deuteronomy 7:25, Judges 8:26,27, 1 Kings 12:28, 2 Kings 19:17,18, Psalms 115:4-8, 135:15, Isaiah 2:20, 30:22, 40:19-31, 46:6, Jeremiah 10:9, 16:20, Hosea 8:4, Habakkuk 2:19, Acts 17:29, 19:26, Revelation 9:20
in the province
30, 2:48, Esther 1:1
Verse 2

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
sent
Exodus 32:4-6, Numbers 25:2, Judges 16:23, 1 Kings 12:32, Proverbs 29:12, Revelation 17:2
Verse 3

Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
the princes
Achashdarpenaya, rendered lieutenants in Es 3:12, etc., probably chief satraps or viceroys from the Persian achash great, eminent, and sitrab, a satrap.
Psalms 82:1-8, Acts 19:34,35, Romans 1:21-28, 3:11, 1 Corinthians 1:24-26, Revelation 13:13-16, Revelation 17:13,17
the governors
Signaya in persian, shagnah deputies or lieutenants.
captains
Pacawatha, governors of provinces. See Es 3:13.
the judges
Adargazraya, chief judges, or senators, from adar, great, and Chal. gezar, to judge, decree.
the treasurers
Gedavraya, written gizzavraya, Ezr 7:21, treasurers, from the Persian gunjvar.
the counsellors
Dethavraya, counsellors, judges, from dath in Persian, dad, law, and var, possessor or guardian.
the sheriffs
Tiphtaya probably the same as the Arabic Mufti or head officer of law.
Verse 4

Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
aloud
Chal. with might.
4:14, Proverbs 9:13-15, Isaiah 40:9, 58:1
it is commanded
Chal. they command.
Hosea 5:11, Micah 6:16
O people
4:1, 6:25, Esther 8:9
Verse 5

That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
the cornet
Karna, the horn.
10,15
flute
Mashrokeetha, in Syriac, mashrookeetha, the [syrinx (syrigx,)] pipe or flute, as Theodotion renders.
dulcimer
or, singing. Chal. symphony.
Verse 6

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
falleth
11,15, Exodus 20:5, Isaiah 44:17, Matthew 4:9, Revelation 13:15-17
the same
2:5,12,13, Mark 6:27
a burning
Genesis 19:28, Jeremiah 29:22, Ezekiel 22:18-22, Matthew 13:42,50, Revelation 9:2, 14:11
Verse 7

Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
when
all the people
Jeremiah 51:7, Acts 14:16, 1 John 5:19, Revelation 12:9, 13:3,8,14, 17:8, 19:20
Verse 8

Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
and accused
6:12,13, Ezra 4:12-16, Esther 3:6,8,9, Acts 16:20-22, 17:6-8, 28:22, 1 Peter 4:3,4
Verse 9

They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
king
4,5
O King
2:4, 5:10, 6:6,21, Romans 13:7
Verse 10

Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
hast made
4-7, 6:12, Exodus 1:16,22, Esther 3:12-14, Psalms 94:20, Ecclesiastes 3:16, Isaiah 10:1, John 11:57, Revelation 13:16,17
the cornet
Exodus 15:20,21, 32:18,19, 1 Chronicles 15:16,28, 16:5,6, 25:1-6, 2 Chronicles 29:25, Psalms 81:1-3, 92:1-3, 149:3,4, 150:3-6, Amos 6:5
Verse 12

There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
certain
2:49, 6:13, 1 Samuel 18:7-11, Esther 3:8, Proverbs 27:4, Ecclesiastes 4:4
not regarded thee
Chal. set no regard upon thee.
Acts 5:28, 17:7
Verse 13

Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
in his
19, 2:12, Genesis 4:5, 1 Samuel 20:30-33, Esther 3:5,6, Proverbs 17:12, 27:3, 29:22, Luke 6:11
Then
Matthew 10:18, Mark 13:9, Luke 21:12, Acts 5:25-27, 24:24
Verse 14

Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
true
or, of purpose.
Exodus 21:13,14
my gods
1, 4:8, Isaiah 46:1, Jeremiah 50:2
Verse 15

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
ye hear
harp
Kaithros, in Arabic, kitharat, Greek [kithara] the guitar.
sackbut
Sabbecha, [sambuke] sambuke, a kind of harp.
psaltery
Pesanter, [psalterion] a stringed instrument struck with a plectrum; probably similar to what is called a psalterium in Egypt, which Hasselquist describes as a large oblique triangle, with two bottoms two inches from each other, and about twenty catguts of different sizes.
dulcimer
Soomphanya, probably the same as the Talmudic a pipe.
ye fall
Luke 4:7,8
well
17, Exodus 32:32, Luke 13:9
and who
28,29, 6:16,20, Exodus 5:2, 2 Kings 18:35, 2 Chronicles 32:15-17, Isaiah 36:20, 37:23, Matthew 27:43
we are
Matthew 10:19, Mark 13:11, Luke 12:11, 21:14,15, Acts 4:8-12,19, 5:29, 6:15, Acts 24:10-13
Verse 17

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
our God
4:35, 6:20-22,27, Genesis 17:1, 18:14, 1 Samuel 17:37,46, Job 5:19, 34:29, Psalms 27:1,2, 62:1-6, 73:20, 115:3, 121:5-7, 18:10,11, Isaiah 12:2, 26:3,4, Isaiah 54:14, Luke 1:37, Acts 20:24, 21:13, 27:20-25, Romans 8:31, Hebrews 7:25
Verse 18

But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
be it
Job 13:15, Proverbs 28:1, Isaiah 51:12,13, Matthew 10:28,32,33,39, 16:2, Luke 12:3-9, Acts 4:10-13,19, 5:29-32, Revelation 2:10,11, 12:11
that
Exodus 20:3-5, Leviticus 19:4
Verse 19

Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
was Nebuchadnezzar
13, Proverbs 21:24, Isaiah 51:23, Luke 12:4,5, Acts 5:33, 7:54
full
Chal. filled. the form.
5:6, Genesis 4:5,6, 31:2
he spake
Exodus 15:9,10, 1 Kings 20:10,11, 2 Kings 19:27,28, Psalms 76:10, Proverbs 16:14, 27:3,4
one seven
6:24, Leviticus 26:18,21,24,28
than
1 Kings 18:33-35, Matthew 27:63-66
Verse 20

And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
most mighty men
Chal. mighty of strength. to bind.
15, Acts 12:4,5, 16:23,25
Verse 21

Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
in their
Herodotus says the Babylonish dress was a linen tunic, another of woollen, a white short cloak, and a turban.
coats
or, mantles. hats. or, turbans.
Verse 22

Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
commandment
Chal. word. urgent.
Exodus 12:33
flame
or, spark. slew.
6:24, Proverbs 11:8, 21:18, Zechariah 12:2,3, Matthew 27:5, Acts 12:19
Verse 23

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
fell
6:16,17, Psalms 34:19, 66:11,12, 124:1-5, Jeremiah 38:6, Lamentations 3:52-54, 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 4:17, 1 Peter 4:12,13
Verse 24

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
astonished
5:6, Acts 5:23-25, 9:6, 12:13
counsellors
or, governors.
2,3
O king
9,10,17, 4:22,27, 5:18, 6:7,22, 1 Samuel 17:55, Acts 26:13,27
Verse 25

He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
walking
Isaiah 43:2
they have no hurt
Chal. there is no hurt in them.
Psalms 91:3-9, Mark 16:18, Acts 28:5, 1 Peter 3:13
the Son of God
Or, as bar elahin may be rendered, "a son of the gods," i.e., a divine person or angel.
18,28, Job 1:6, 38:7, Psalms 34:7, Proverbs 30:4, Luke 1:35, John 19:7,8, Romans 1:4
Verse 26

Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
mouth
Chal. door. ye servants.
17, 2:47, 6:20, Ezra 5:11, Acts 16:17, 27:23, Galatians 1:10, Revelation 19:5
the most
Genesis 14:18
come forth
Joshua 3:17, 4:10,16-18, Isaiah 28:16, 52:12, Acts 16:37
Verse 27

And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
the princes
2,3, 1 Samuel 17:46,47, 2 Kings 19:19, Psalms 83:18, 96:7-9, Isaiah 26:11, Acts 2:6-12, 26:26
upon
Isaiah 43:2, Hebrews 11:34
nor was
This miraculous manifestation of Divine power was witnessed by the court and the nation, and was felt as a just punishment on the transgressors, and a signal display of mercy to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, which should operate on all believers to similar acts of faith and confidence in the Lord.
Matthew 10:30, Luke 21:17,18, Acts 27:34
Verse 28

Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
Blessed
2:47, 4:34, 6:26, Genesis 9:26, Ezra 1:3, 7:23-28
hath sent
25, 6:22,23, Genesis 19:15,16, 2 Chronicles 32:21, Psalms 34:7,8, 103:20, Isaiah 37:36, Acts 5:19, 12:7-11, Hebrews 1:14
that trusted
1 Chronicles 5:20, 2 Chronicles 20:20, Psalms 22:4,5, 33:18,21, 34:22, 62:8, 84:11,12, Psalms 146:5,6, 147:11, Isaiah 26:3,4, Jeremiah 17:7,8, 2 Corinthians 1:9,10, Ephesians 1:12,13, 1 Peter 1:21
and have
Ezra 6:11, Acts 4:19
yielded
Romans 12:1, 14:7,8, Philippians 1:20, Hebrews 11:37, Revelation 12:11
serve
16-18, Exodus 20:5, Matthew 4:10
Verse 29

Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
Therefore
6:26,27
I make a decree
Chal. A decree is made by me. amiss. Chal. error. the God.
15,17,28
cut in pieces
Chal. made pieces.
2:5; *marg:
because
6:27, Deuteronomy 32:31, Psalms 3:8, 76:10
Verse 30

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
the king
1 Samuel 2:30, Psalms 91:14, John 12:26, Romans 8:31
promoted
Chal. made to prosper.
Psalms 1:3

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