Daniel 3:20
New International Version
and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.

New Living Translation
Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.

English Standard Version
And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Berean Standard Bible
and he commanded some mighty men of valor in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing fiery furnace.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

New American Standard Bible
And he ordered certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in order to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire.

NASB 1995
He commanded certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire.

NASB 1977
And he commanded certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said to certain mighty men of valor who were in his military host to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire.

Amplified Bible
He commanded certain strong men in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego and to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire.

Christian Standard Bible
and he commanded some of the best soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the furnace of blazing fire.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and he commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the furnace of blazing fire.

American Standard Version
And he commanded certain mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Contemporary English Version
Next, he commanded some of his strongest soldiers to tie up the men and throw them into the flaming furnace.

English Revised Version
And he commanded certain mighty men that were in is army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He told some soldiers from his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego so that they could be thrown into the blazing furnace.

Good News Translation
And he commanded the strongest men in his army to tie the three men up and throw them into the blazing furnace.

International Standard Version
Then he issued orders to his elite guard to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego with ropes and throw them into the blazing fire furnace.

Majority Standard Bible
and he commanded some mighty men of valor in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing fiery furnace.

NET Bible
He ordered strong soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire.

New Heart English Bible
He commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

World English Bible
He commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and to certain mighty men who [are] in his force he has said to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, to cast into the burning fiery furnace.

Young's Literal Translation
and to certain mighty men who are in his force he hath said to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, to cast into the burning fiery furnace.

Smith's Literal Translation
To the strong, the strong of strength that were in his army, he said to bind to Shadrach, Mesbach, and Abed-Nego, to cast into the furnace of flaming fire.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he commanded the strongest men that were in his army, to bind the feet of Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and to cast them into the furnace of burning fire.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he ordered the strongest men of his army to bind the feet of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the furnace of burning fire.

New American Bible
and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace.

New Revised Standard Version
and ordered some of the strongest guards in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he commanded some of the mighty men in the army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he told mighty men that were in the army to bind Shadrak, Mishak and Abednego and to cast them into the burning furnace of fire
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he commanded certain mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he commanded mighty men to bind Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Fiery Furnace
19At this, Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual, 20 and he commanded some mighty men of valor in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing fiery furnace. 21So they were tied up, wearing robes, trousers, turbans, and other clothes, and they were thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.…

Cross References
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Hebrews 11:34
quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

Revelation 13:15
The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed.

Acts 12:4
He arrested him and put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

Jeremiah 29:22
Because of them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’

2 Kings 25:7
And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon.

Matthew 13:42
And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

2 Timothy 4:17
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.

Acts 16:23-24
And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. / On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Psalm 66:12
You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us into abundance.

Revelation 20:4
Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Jeremiah 39:6-7
There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah. / Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon.

2 Chronicles 36:6
Then Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jehoiakim and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.

John 15:20
Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

Daniel 3:15
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?

Acts 12:4,5
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people…

Acts 16:23,25
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: …

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Abednego Abed'nego Abed-Nego Army Bind Blazing Burning Cast Commanded Cords Fiery Fire Flaming Force Furnace Meshach Mighty Order Ordered Orders Shadrach Soldiers Strong Strongest Throw Tie Valiant Warriors
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Abednego Abed'nego Abed-Nego Army Bind Blazing Burning Cast Commanded Cords Fiery Fire Flaming Force Furnace Meshach Mighty Order Ordered Orders Shadrach Soldiers Strong Strongest Throw Tie Valiant Warriors
Daniel 3
1. Nebuchadnezzar dedicates a golden image in Dura.
3. They being threatened, make a good confession.
8. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are accused for not worshipping the image.
19. They are cast into the furnace,
24. from which God delivers them.
28. Nebuchadnezzar seeing the miracle blesses God, and advances them.














he commanded
The phrase "he commanded" indicates the authoritative decree of King Nebuchadnezzar. In the historical context of ancient Babylon, the king's word was law, reflecting the absolute power monarchs held. This command underscores the king's anger and determination to enforce his will, as well as the seriousness of the situation faced by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The Hebrew root for "commanded" (צוה, tsavah) often implies a directive that must be obeyed, highlighting the tension between earthly authority and divine obedience.

some mighty men of valor
The "mighty men of valor" were elite soldiers, likely chosen for their strength and loyalty. In Hebrew, the term "gibborim" (גִּבּוֹרִים) is used, often referring to warriors of great renown and courage. This choice of personnel emphasizes the king's intent to ensure that his orders were carried out without fail. Historically, these men would have been part of the king's personal guard, trusted to execute his most critical commands.

in his army
The phrase "in his army" situates the narrative within the military context of Babylon, one of the most powerful empires of the ancient world. The army was not only a tool of conquest but also a means of maintaining internal order. This detail highlights the seriousness with which Nebuchadnezzar viewed the defiance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, treating it as a threat to his rule that required a military response.

to tie up
The act "to tie up" Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego signifies the intent to render them powerless and ensure their complete submission to the king's will. The Hebrew verb "asar" (אָסַר) conveys the idea of binding or imprisoning, symbolizing the attempt to control and suppress their faith and testimony. This action foreshadows the miraculous deliverance that God would provide, demonstrating His power over human constraints.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
These names are the Babylonian identities given to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, respectively. Their Hebrew names reflect their faith in the God of Israel, while their Babylonian names were meant to assimilate them into the culture of their captors. This duality represents the tension between living in a foreign land and maintaining one's faith and identity. Their steadfastness in the face of persecution serves as an enduring example of faithfulness to God.

and throw them
The phrase "and throw them" indicates the violent and forceful nature of the king's command. It reflects the urgency and severity of the punishment intended for those who defied the king's decree. This action was meant to serve as a public spectacle, a warning to others who might resist the king's authority. Yet, it also sets the stage for God's intervention and the demonstration of His power.

into the blazing fiery furnace
The "blazing fiery furnace" was likely a large industrial kiln used for smelting metals or baking bricks, common in ancient Babylon. The furnace symbolizes the ultimate test of faith, a trial by fire that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced with unwavering trust in God. In Scripture, fire often represents both judgment and purification. Here, it becomes a means through which God's glory is revealed, as He delivers His faithful servants unharmed, turning a symbol of destruction into one of divine protection and presence.

(20) The most mighty men.--He selected these as being the most likely to be able to bear the unusual heat of the fire. Whether he had any expectation that some attempt at a rescue would be made does not appear. We may gather, however, that the army was present at this horrible tragedy.

Verse 20. - And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. The first clause might more correctly be rendered, "He commanded warriors, warriors of might, in his army." The Greek versions assume that the repetition of gubereen is equivalent to the superlative; hence the LXX. renders it ἄνδρας ἰσχυροτάτους; and Theodotion, ἄνδρας ἰσχυρούς ἰσχύι'. The Peshitta omits the first gubreen. On the other hand, Theodotiun omits the clause, "that were in his army." The action of Nebuchadnezzar in this reveals one of the contradictions so often manifested by polytheism. He might be ready to admit that no accumulation of human power could equal Divine power, yet it is obvious that these men of might were chosen for this purpose, in order that, despite Divine power, the royal sentence might be carried out. Such self-contradiction is not peculiar to Nebuchadnezzar nor to Babylon. Many men, professing to be Christians and acknowledging that God sees and knows all things, and that the wrath of God is an infinitely more serious mattter than the contempt or "ill will" of men, yet commit sin secretly - to hide it from God. Hitzig indicates that he thinks these not to have been the ordinary body-guard of the king, but really the best troops in the province where the festival was taking place. It is evident that the troops referred to are not those tabbaheen of whom Arioch was the commander, otherwise we might have expected them to be mentioned. We know that there were different classes of soldiers in the Assyrian army, with differing kinds of arms and armour. In all probability something similar prevailed in the Babylonian army. It is not impossible that one corps might be specialized as the men of greatest physical strength. These men are employed to bind these three Jews to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and he commanded
אֲמַר֙ (’ă·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 560: To say, tell, command

mighty warriors
גִּבָּֽרֵי־ (gib·bā·rê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1401: Valiant, warrior

in his army
בְחַיְלֵ֔הּ (ḇə·ḥay·lêh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2429: Power, strength, army

to tie up
לְכַפָּתָ֔ה (lə·ḵap·pā·ṯāh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3729: To fetter

Shadrach,
לְשַׁדְרַ֥ךְ (lə·šaḏ·raḵ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7715: Shadrach -- Babylonian name of one of Daniel's companions

Meshach,
מֵישַׁ֖ךְ (mê·šaḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4336: Meshach -- a Babylonian name

and Abednego
נְג֑וֹ (nə·ḡōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5665: Abed-nego -- 'servant of Nebo', Babylonian name of one of Daniel's companions

and throw them
לְמִרְמֵ֕א (lə·mir·mê)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7412: To throw, set, assess

into the burning
יָקִֽדְתָּֽא׃ (yā·qiḏ·tā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 3345: To burn

fiery
נוּרָ֖א (nū·rā)
Noun - common singulard
Strong's 5135: A fire

furnace.
לְאַתּ֥וּן (lə·’at·tūn)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 861: A fire-place, furnace


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OT Prophets: Daniel 3:20 He commanded certain mighty men who were (Dan. Da Dn)
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