1Nebuchadnezzar setting up an image commandeth all persons to worship it. 8Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, are accused of disobeying the command. 13The king threateneth them; their resolute answer. 19They are cast into the fiery furnace. 24God delivereth them unhurt out of it, which Nebuchadnezzar seeing blesseth God, and acknowledgeth his power. 30Their advancement.
1NEBUCHADNEZZAR the king 1made an image of gold, 2whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
1 From these words it appears sufficiently that the profession, which he has made in Dan. 2:47, was not a true, permanent profession. See the annotation there.
2 From the sequel of this history it appears that the king, by the counsel and instigation of the most important ones among the Chaldeans, has erected this image. Compare Dan. 6:4, 5, 6. They invented this cunningly out of hatred, especially against Daniel’s companions, envying the authority and high places in which they served, to the end that they, refusing to do it, might not only lose their places, but also be put to death. For, for the sake of other Babylonians, who were of themselves prone enough to idolatry, there was no need that they should be compelled to this idolatry by such a cruel threat. The time when this image was erected is not here expressed, but it is to be suspected that it was some short time after that he had had that dream.
2Then 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.
3Then 3the 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.
3 The king had summoned all these great officers to be there present, partly to the honor of this image, partly that all his subjects might the more willing follow their example, and likewise to frighten the Jews who would persist in their refusal.
4Then 4an herald cried aloud, 5To you it is commanded, 6O people, nations, and languages,
4 Or, crier, proclaimer, who publicly makes proclamation by order from the higher powers.
5 Or, They say unto you, namely, the king and his councils.
6 That is, ye people of what tongue or language ye be.
5That at what time ye hear the sound 7of the cornet, flute, 8harp, 9sackbut, psaltery, 10dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
7 Chald. karna, in Latin cornu.
8 Chald. kytros or katros.
9 Chald. sabbecha, called by the Greeks and Latins sambuca; some render it an harp; others a dulcimer.
10 Chald. sumphoniah, which some conceive to agree with the Greek word signifying a song of many voices harmonizing well together. Yet others are of the opinion that it is a Chaldean name for a certain musical instrument, as organ, harpsichord, known in those times.
6And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
7Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, 11psaltery, 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.
11 After psaltery is mentioned in verse 5 dulcimer, which is here omitted.
8 ¶ 12Wherefore 13at that time certain Chaldeans came near, 14and accused the Jews.
12 Here is shown that those wicked officers of the king watched for this opportunity to catch the Jews, but especially the three young men, into their net. See on verse 1.
13 Namely, immediately, as soon as they saw that those three young men did not worship the golden image, not being able to tarry so long till this idolatrous ceremony was ended.
14 Chald. which proclaimed the accusations of the Jews, that is, who accused the Jews unto the king with a great cry, but especially the three young men at whom they most aimed, because they were advanced to high places.
915They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, 16live for ever.
15 That is, they spoke; repeatedly.
16 See Dan. 2 on verse 4.
10Thou, O king, hast 17made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer,a and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
17 Chald. made, that is, caused to go forth.
a stringed instrument
11And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
12There are certain Jews 18whom thou hast set over the 19affairs of the province of Babylon, 20Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: 21they 22serve not 23thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
18 As if they said: Instead of yielding all due obedience unto thee, by reason of the manifold honors, favors and benefits received from thee, they have been most disobedient towards thee.
19 Or, work, or, administration.
20 Why do they not also accuse Daniel at the same time? Either he was not present when the decree was made, being far away to dispatch some great and weighty business of the king, or, if he was present, they knew full well that he was in so great favor with the king, that they would have accused him in vain. Therefore they held their peace concerning him, at least for a time, seeking first to destroy these three men, who in this general assembly could not nor might not absent themselves.
21 Namely, these three young men. It is nowhere said in this history that the other Jews were accused or punished. Some are of the opinion that these wicked Chaldeans were so glad when they had gotten these three young men in their net, that they minded not the rest.
22 Or, honor.
23 As 1 Kings 11:33. Other, thy god. that is, this image, of which thou makest thy god. Or, wherein, or whereby thou worshippest thy god.
13¶Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.
14Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, 24Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
24 As if he said: do ye do this in good earnest, and with premeditated advice? Or do ye mock and jest at me and at my god? Other, Is it on purpose?
15Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,b psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; 25well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and 26who is that God that shall 27deliver you out of my hands?
b pipe or lyre of elder wood
25 The sense is: If ye now yet obey my command, I will be favorable unto you. Similar incomplete speech is found in Luke 13:9. Other, in the beginning of the verse thus: Now behold, be ye ready, etc., in a commanding way.
26 Along with this god he also comprehends the true God; so that this is a horrible blasphemy. Compare herewith the words of Sennacherib, 2 Kings 19, and of the Pharisees, Mat. 27:43.
27 Or, should deliver.
16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, 28we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
28 The meaning is: It will be but in vain for us to answer thee, for, thou hast certainly decreed to put us to death if we do not worship thy gods, and we have a strong resolution to disdain them. Seeing therefore thou wilt not be drawn off from thy resolution, nor we from ours, it is then in vain for us to use many words, no advantage comes of it. See the like signification of the Hebrew word, Ezra 6:9; 7:20.
1729If 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.
29 Namely, that we shall be cast into this fiery furnace. Or thus: Behold, our God whom we honor, is able, etc.
1830But 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.
30 If it pleases our God not to deliver us, yet we will not commit this idolatry, yea, not even with the outward countenance; we will rather die.
19¶Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and 31the form of his visagec was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace 32one seven times more 33than it was wont to be heated.
31 Chald. the image, that is, the features of his face, whereby a man is known.
c face, expression
32 Chald. a seven times above it was seen to be heated. The furnace was made hot already, as may be gathered from verse 6, but that was not enough, it must be made seven times hotter.
33 Other, than it was proper to heat it. This command was given by that cruel king, who burned in his idolatrous zeal, to frighten others hereby, and to make them that they would obey him.
20And he commanded 34the most mighty men 35that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
34 Chald. to the men, the men of strength or power, that is, to the strongest men.
35 Or, that were in his retinue or guard. In former times kings were wont to cause the executions of their commands to be done by their soldiers or guard. See 2 Sam. 1:15.
21Then these men were 36bound in their 37coats, their hosen,d and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
36 That they might be the more fit to be cast in.
37 That is, upper garments, which no doubt were goodly and decent, as was appropriate for such men to wear. Here is shown that these executioners of the king’s command were so zealous to obey the cruel king that they did not take off the men’s garments, though ever so rich and costly, but forthwith cast both men and garments together into the fire.
d trousers, stockings
22Therefore because 38the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the 39flame of the fire slew those men that 40took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.
38 Or, the king’s word.
39 Or, the sparks. The sense is: that the sparks, or the utmost parts of the flame, or the smoke and vapor, burned those lusty men who made the fire, but that the three men remained unhurt in the midst of the flame or fire. The almighty power of God’s Providence caused these to be burned whom the king would have to be spared, and whom he would have to be burned, they were spared. Compare Dan. 6:25.
40 Or, had taken up. Chald. had made go up, that is, that had first lift them up on high, to cast them into the fiery furnace. For, while the furnace was higher than the ground, therefore these servants had to take up the young men and then to let them fall, or cast them into the fire.
23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down 41bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
41 When the prophet says that they, being bound, fell down or were cast into the furnace, he shows that they could no ways shun the fury of the fire, and therefore, according to the course of nature, must of necessity be straightway burned. Some translators add here the song of praise, which these three men are said to have sung in the fiery furnace, but the same is not found in the Hebrew text, and is consequently apocryphal.
2442Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and 43rose up 44in haste, and spake, and said unto his 45counsellers, Did not 46we cast three men 47bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, 48True, O king.
42 Namely, when he saw four men walking in the furnace.
43 Before he sat as a king in his chair to behold the martyr-death of the three young men.
44 Or, with commotion.
45 Other, governors, or, assistants, or, lifeguards.
46 Namely, I, at your request, and by your counsel.
47 They were indeed bound with cords, being cast into the fire furnace, but these cords were right away burned in pieces, or loosed and dissolved by an angel.
48 They must, as well as the king, bear witness of the truth.
25He 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 49like the Son of God.
49 Or, like of a son of God, that is, exceeding fair, excelling in beauty, as if he were not of human, but of Divine origin. Verse 28 he calls him directly an angel of God. How the angels are called sons of God, see the annotation at Job 1 on verse 6; Job 38 on verse 7. God adjoined this angel unto these three men for their comfort, and for their relief and refreshment, in order that they would not faint in the midst of the fire and of the flame. Compare 2 Kings 6:15; Psalm 34:7; 91:11. Some are of the opinion that it was the Lord Christ Himself Who appeared unto these young men.
26 ¶ 50Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, 51ye servants 52of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. 53Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth 54of the midst of the fire.
50 He, who before had strictly commanded that these young men were to be brought unto him, verse 13, does now himself go in astonishment and amazement of spirit unto them.
51 Whose servants then were the Chaldeans and Nebuchadnezzar themselves? Servants of false gods and idols, which they had devised and made for themselves.
52 Thus he calls the true God, not so much out of a sincere intention of his heart, as out of astonishment of spirit, by beholding the great miracle that was wrought. To Whom he had previously done the greatest wrong, to Him he does now the greatest honor. The same mouth, which previously had condemned them, does now clear them.
53 God has willed that these men would not come forth till they had a command from the king to do it, by whose command they were cast into the fiery furnace, to the intent that the miracle might be known, and the king might be fully convinced.
54 God was able indeed to have quenched the fire, but it pleased Him to let it burn still, that His power might the longer appear before the eyes of all men.
2755And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had 56no power, nor was 57an hair of their head 58singed, 59neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had 60passed on them.
55 That is, they drew nearer together to speak about this miracle which they saw there. It pleased God that the princes of the Chaldeans would see this miracle thoroughly, in order that everyone might talk and discourse thereof among their friends and acquaintance, which would be of more efficacy than if all the Jews had talked of it, and had been witnesses thereof among the heathen.
56 Or, had not reigned, that is, had no power.
57 Or, no hair.
58 Or, burned.
59 That is, there was not so much as a nap or the least wool upon them that was hurt by the fire, or had changed its color.
60 Either through their bodies or through their garments. The sense is: They did not so much as smell of burning or of the fire.
28Then Nebuchadnezzar 61spake, and said, Blessed be 62the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent 63his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have 64changed the king's word, and 65yielded their bodies, 66that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
61 Or, answered.
62 Chald. Praised be the God of these, of Shadrach, etc. Why does he not say: Praised be my God? Because he would not yet forsake his false god, to serve only the one true God, Who is a jealous God.
63 As this heathen king here can speak of the angel of the Lord, it may be he had heard and learned it from the mouth of the three young men, after that they, being delivered out of the furnace, had communed with him, and had related all things to him. Compare this history with Dan. 6:23.
64 That is, not regarded nor obeyed it; namely, because it was repugnant to the command of God, Who forbids idolatry. See similar phrase, Ezra 6:11.
65 Namely, to the fire.
66 The king indeed commended these young men for sticking so constantly close to their, that is, to the true God, but he ought to have imitated them in honoring this true God.
29Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak 67any thing amiss 68against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut 69ine pieces, and 70their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God 71that can deliver after this sort.
67 Or, which speak blasphemy or outrage, that is, who speak a vain, idle and erroneous word, he who offends in words against the God of Shadrach, etc. How much more those who have spoken a reproachful or blasphemous word!
68 He as yet does not give that honor to the true God, which he gave to his image or idol, commanding all people and nations to worship it. Concerning the true God, he commands only that they should speak no hurt of Him, nor blaspheme Him; neither does he call the true God his God, but the God of Shadrach, etc. From which may be gathered that Nebuchadnezzar did not forsake his idols, but fear and terror wrung this profession from him. This appears also by the next chapter, for, when he had again another dream, he sought again for the Chaldeans and magicians to have its interpretation.
69 See Dan. 2:5.
e Dan. 2:5.
70 See Dan. 2:5.
71 Namely, so wonderfully, so speedily, so powerfully. Other, that can deliver like this one.
30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon.