Daniel 3:22 The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the fiery flames killed the men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

◄ Daniel 3:22 ►

New International Version
The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,

New Living Translation
And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in.

English Standard Version
Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Berean Standard Bible
The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the fiery flames killed the men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.

New American Standard Bible
For this reason, because the king’s command was harsh and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

NASB 1995
For this reason, because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego.

NASB 1977
For this reason, because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego.

Legacy Standard Bible
For this reason, because the king’s word was urgent and the furnace had been heated to an extraordinary degree, the flame of the fire killed those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

Amplified Bible
Because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace was extremely hot, the flame of the fire killed the men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

Christian Standard Bible
Since the king’s command was so urgent and the furnace extremely hot, the raging flames killed those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Since the king’s command was so urgent and the furnace extremely hot, the raging flames killed those men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego up.

American Standard Version
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 Abed-nego.

English Revised Version
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 Abed-nego.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king's order was so urgent and the furnace was so extremely hot that the men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were killed by the flames from the fire.

Good News Translation
Now because the king had given strict orders for the furnace to be made extremely hot, the flames burned up the guards who took the men to the furnace.

International Standard Version
because the king's command was so drastic. Since the furnace was blazing hot, its flames killed those who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the blazing fire.

Majority Standard Bible
The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the fiery flames killed the men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

NET Bible
But since the king's command was so urgent, and the furnace was so excessively hot, the men who escorted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were killed by the leaping flames.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire killed those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

World English Bible
Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Therefore, because that the word of the king is urgent, and the furnace heated exceedingly, those men who have taken up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego—the spark of the fire has killed them.

Young's Literal Translation
Therefore, because that the word of the king is urgent, and the furnace heated exceedingly, those men who have taken up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego -- killed them hath the spark of the fire.

Smith's Literal Translation
For this cause, as the word of the king being severe, and the furnace exceedingly heated, these men that took up to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, the flame of fire killed them.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
For the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace was heated exceedingly. And the flame of the fire slew those men that had cast in Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the king’s order was so urgent that the furnace was heated excessively. As a result, those men who had cast in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were killed by the flame of the fire.

New American Bible
for the king’s order was urgent. So huge a fire was kindled in the furnace that the flames devoured the men who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into it.

New Revised Standard Version
Because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace was so overheated, the raging flames killed the men who lifted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Because the king's command was hasty and the furnace was exceedingly hot, the flames of the fire killed those who had accused Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because the word of the King was urgent and the furnace was fired up all the more, the flames of the burning fire also killed those men who had accused Shadrak, Mishak and Abednego

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore because the king's commandment was peremptory, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
forasmuch as the king's word prevailed; and the furnace was made exceeding hot.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Fiery Furnace
…21So they were tied up, wearing robes, trousers, turbans, and other clothes, and they were thrown into the blazing fiery furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the fiery flames killed the men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, firmly bound, fell into the blazing fiery furnace.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

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 1:15
His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.

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

1 Peter 1:7
so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 24:6
Therefore a curse has consumed the earth, and its inhabitants must bear the guilt; the earth’s dwellers have been burned, and only a few survive.

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 Peter 3:7
And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Malachi 4:1
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”

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

Revelation 20:14-15
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. / And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Exodus 9:24
The hail fell and the lightning continued flashing through it. The hail was so severe that nothing like it had ever been seen in all the land of Egypt from the time it became a nation.

Deuteronomy 32:22
For a fire has been kindled by My anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol; it consumes the earth and its produce, and scorches the foundations of the mountains.

2 Kings 1:10-12
Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. / So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” / Again Elijah replied, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men.

Ezekiel 22:20-21
Just as one gathers silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin into the furnace to melt with a fiery blast, so I will gather you in My anger and wrath, leave you there, and melt you. / Yes, I will gather you together and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you will be melted within the city.

Treasury of Scripture

Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

commandment.

Exodus 12:33
And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.

flame.

Daniel 6:24
And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

Proverbs 11:8
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

Proverbs 21:18
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

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Abednego Abed'nego Abed-Nego Carried Command Commandment Exceeding Exceedingly Extremely Fire Flame Flames Forasmuch Furnace Great Heat Heated Hot Killed King's Meshach Order Peremptory Reason Rigorous Shadrach Side Slew Spark Strict Urgent Word

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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.

Berean Study Bible

The king’s command
This phrase refers to the decree issued by King Nebuchadnezzar, a powerful ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The Hebrew root for "command" is "טְעֵם" (te'em), which implies a decree or edict that is authoritative and binding. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar was known for his absolute power and the enforcement of his will, often with severe consequences for disobedience. This highlights the king's determination to enforce his decree regarding the worship of the golden image, reflecting the absolute nature of his rule and the seriousness with which he viewed any challenge to his authority.

was so urgent
The urgency of the command underscores the king's impatience and the immediate need for compliance. The Hebrew word "חַצְפָּה" (chatzpah) conveys a sense of haste and pressure. This urgency can be seen as a reflection of Nebuchadnezzar's pride and the threat he felt from the defiance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In a broader scriptural context, this urgency contrasts with the calm faith and steadfastness of the three Hebrew men, who trusted in God's deliverance despite the king's pressing demands.

and the furnace so hot
The furnace, likely a large kiln used for smelting metals or baking bricks, was heated to an extreme temperature. The Hebrew word "יָקֵד" (yaqed) means "burning" or "fiery," emphasizing the intensity of the heat. Archaeological evidence from ancient Babylon suggests that such furnaces could reach temperatures capable of incinerating materials quickly. The extreme heat symbolizes the severity of the trial faced by the faithful men and serves as a backdrop for the miraculous deliverance that follows, showcasing God's power over even the most intense earthly forces.

that the flames of the fire
The flames represent both a literal and metaphorical trial. In Hebrew, "לַהַב" (lahab) refers to a flame or blaze, often used in scripture to symbolize purification, judgment, or divine presence. The flames in this narrative are instruments of the king's wrath but also become a testament to God's protection and sovereignty. Theologically, fire is often associated with God's holiness and the testing of faith, as seen in other biblical accounts where fire refines and purifies.

killed the men
The death of the men who carried out the king's orders serves as a stark reminder of the perilous nature of opposing God's will. The Hebrew word "הָרַג" (harag) means "to kill" or "to slay," indicating a sudden and violent death. This outcome highlights the futility of human power against divine protection and serves as a warning of the consequences of blind obedience to unrighteous commands. It also foreshadows the deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, contrasting the fate of those who oppose God's people with those who trust in Him.

who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
These three men, known by their Babylonian names, were Jewish exiles who remained faithful to God despite the pressures to conform to Babylonian idolatry. Their Hebrew names—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—reflect their identity and faith in the God of Israel. The act of carrying them to the furnace signifies the world's attempt to enforce conformity through coercion and intimidation. Yet, their steadfastness and subsequent deliverance serve as an enduring testament to the power of faith and God's ability to save those who trust in Him, regardless of earthly circumstances.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(22) Urgent.--The same word is translated hasty (Daniel 2:15). The king's command had been uttered while he was in a furious rage, and in consequence of this, the furnace was raised to so high a temperature that the executioners were slain. The death of the executioners forms an evident contrast with the deliverance of those who had been sentenced to die.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 22, 23. - 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. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. The rendering of the Greek versions seems to have suffered from the interpolation of the Song of the Three Holy Children - the verses before us have been altered to prepare for the introduction of the song. The LXX. translates as follows: "Since the king's command was urgent, and the furnace heated sevenfold more than it had previously been, the men who had been appointed, when they had bound them and brought them forward to the furnace, cast them in. Then the flame which blazed in the furnace came forth and slew the men who had bound those about Azarias, but they themselves were preserved." Theodotion renders, "Since the word of the king was urgent, and the furnace was excessively heated, and these three men fell down bound into the burning fiery furnace, and they fell into the midst of the furnace. and walked about, singing praises to God, blessing the Lord." There is nothing here, it may be noted, about those that bound the three friends being slain; there is also to be noted the addition, "walking about and singing praises to God and blessing the Lord." The Peshitta also suffers, though to a less degree. The rendering with it is, "Therefore the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace blazed exceedingly, and slew the men who accused Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the midst of the furnace of great fire." Here a marvel is added, not those that threw the Hebrews into the fire were burnt, but their accusers. We must discuss separately the Song of the Three Holy Children. The furnace implied is one filled from above, but having a doorway at the side. The witnesses for the truth of monotheism and of the supreme Godhead of Jehovah were carried to the top of this furnace, and cast in amongst the fuel. We have nothing to do with how the miracle of their preservation was accomplished, we have only to do with the narrative as given. The fact that those who carried them and threw them in were killed gives proof positive of the fierceness of the heat. The fact stated in the twenty-third verse, that they fell into the midst of the furnace, excludes any supposition that they escaped by being sheltered from the fierceness of the heat. Separating the two portions of the apocryphal addition to this chapter, the song of Azarias from the united song of the three, we have a statement that "the angel of the Lord came down into the oven together with Azarias and his fellows, and smote the flame of the fire out of the oven, and made the midst as it had been a moist whistling wind; so that the fire touched them not at all, neither hurt nor troubled them." This abundance of detail as to the -method by which the miracle was wrought is evidence of a later time. We shall, however, leave the discussion of the date of this addition till later.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The king’s
מַלְכָּא֙ (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

command
מִלַּ֤ת (mil·laṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4406: A word, command, discourse, subject

was so urgent
מַחְצְפָ֔ה (maḥ·ṣə·p̄āh)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 2685: To shear, cut close, to be severe

and the furnace
וְאַתּוּנָ֖א (wə·’at·tū·nā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 861: A fire-place, furnace

so
יַתִּ֑ירָא (yat·tî·rā)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 3493: Preeminent, surpassing

hot
אֵזֵ֣ה (’ê·zêh)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 228: To kindle, to heat

that the fiery
נוּרָֽא׃ (nū·rā)
Noun - common singulard
Strong's 5135: A fire

flames
שְׁבִיבָ֖א (šə·ḇî·ḇā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 7631: A flame

killed
קַטִּ֣ל (qaṭ·ṭil)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6992: To kill

the
אִלֵּ֗ךְ (’il·lêḵ)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 479: These

men
גֻּבְרַיָּ֣א (guḇ·ray·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 1400: A person

who
דִּ֤י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

carried up
הַסִּ֙קוּ֙ (has·si·qū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5267: To go up

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

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

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

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OT Prophets: Daniel 3:22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent (Dan. Da Dn)