Then the herald
The term "herald" refers to an official messenger in ancient times, often tasked with making public proclamations. In the context of the Babylonian Empire, a herald would have been a figure of authority, representing the king's command. The Hebrew root for "herald" is "karoz," which implies a crier or announcer. This highlights the importance of the message being delivered, as it comes with the full weight of the king's authority. Historically, heralds were crucial in disseminating information in a time before mass communication, ensuring that the king's decrees reached all corners of the empire.

loudly proclaimed
The phrase "loudly proclaimed" emphasizes the urgency and importance of the message. The Hebrew word "qara" means to call out or cry aloud, suggesting that the proclamation was meant to capture the attention of all who heard it. This public announcement was not just a casual statement but a directive that demanded immediate attention and compliance. The use of a loud proclamation underscores the seriousness of the command and the expectation that it would be heard and obeyed by all.

O peoples, nations, and men of every language
This phrase reflects the vastness and diversity of the Babylonian Empire. "Peoples" and "nations" indicate the various ethnic groups and political entities under Babylonian rule. The inclusion of "men of every language" highlights the multicultural nature of the empire, which was composed of many different linguistic groups. The Hebrew words "am" (people) and "goy" (nation) are often used in the Old Testament to describe distinct groups, while "lashon" (language) emphasizes the diversity within the empire. This call to all peoples signifies the universal nature of the decree, leaving no one exempt from the king's command.

this is what you are commanded to do
The phrase "commanded to do" indicates a directive that is not optional but mandatory. The Hebrew root "tsavah" means to command or order, often used in the context of divine or royal commands. This underscores the authority behind the proclamation, as it is not merely a suggestion but an obligation imposed by the king. In the historical context of Daniel, this command was related to the worship of the golden image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar, a test of allegiance to the king and his gods. The use of the word "commanded" reflects the absolute power of the king and the expectation of total obedience from his subjects.

(4) People, nations.--In Biblical language the latter word is used (Genesis 25:16) of the tribes of Ishmael, each of which had its own head, or of the Midianites (Numbers 25:15). The former is applied to Israel in Psalm 111:6, where occurs the phrase, "people of Jehovah." The word "languages" is applied (Genesis 10:5; Genesis 10:20, &c.) to tribes as represented by their languages. Hence these three expressions denote all nations subject to the empire, of whatever description of language, government, or federation. (Comp. Daniel 3:29, and Daniel 4:1; Daniel 7:14.) . . . Verses 4, 5. - Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up. The Septuagint rendering is, "And the herald proclaimed to the multitudes, To you it is announced, peoples and countries, nations and tongues, when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, the pipe, the harp, the sackbut, and psaltery, of chorus, and of all kinds of music, that ye fall down and worship the golden image which King Nebuchadnezzar set up." It is clear that the Septuagint translator rendered חיל as "host," and translated בְ as if it were לְ. The balanced cadence of the next clause seems more natural, if due to the Aramaic source than to the Greek translator. The musical instruments are also arranged in the same cadenced fashion, broken to some extent by συμφωνία. Theodotion is, as usual, in closer agreement with the Massoretic text, but omits συμφωνία. The Peshitta in the fourth verse agrees not only word for word, but we might almost say syllable for syllable, with the Massoretic text. In the fifth verse it omits pesanterin; instead of sabka, it has kinora, which is usually regarded as the Hebrew equivalent of κιθάρα; instead of συμφωνία, it has tziphonia, which suggests a different etymology. It is true Strack ('Neu Hebraische Sprache') points out that ס has a tendency to become צ before syllables with the ד sound or at the end of words, but this is neither of these; the syllable with צ is the first, not the last, and there is no d or t sound in the word. Jerome is in strict verbal agreement with the Massoretic text. We shall have to devote a short excursus to the names of the musical instruments which occur here. In eagerness to find proofs of the late origin of the Book of Daniel - of its origin in the times of the Hellenic domination, karoza was derived from .κήρυξ, that etymology is universally abandoned now. O people, nations, and languages. It ought rather to be peoples. Bishop Wordsworth remarks on the resemblance which this phrase bears to tsar used of the mystical Babylon in Revelation (Revelation 13:7; 17:15), and adds that she also "commands them to fall down and worship the image which she has set up." In regard to the following verse, the sculptures of Nineveh prove the prominence given to music in all important occasions, as the celebration of a triumph or the dedication of a temple. The names of the musical instruments are not so generally preserved. It was most likely when the rays of the morning sun smote the golden tip of the obelisk, that there came the burst of music which was to serve as a signal for all the multitudes to fall down and worship. The image was looked upon as the sign of the god it represented; it received the worship meant for him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then the herald
וְכָרוֹזָ֖א (wə·ḵā·rō·w·zā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 3744: A herald

loudly
בְחָ֑יִל (ḇə·ḥā·yil)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2429: Power, strength, army

proclaimed,
קָרֵ֣א (qā·rê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7123: To call, read out or aloud

“O peoples,
עַֽמְמַיָּ֔א (‘am·may·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 5972: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

nations,
אֻמַּיָּ֖א (’um·may·yā)
Noun - feminine plural determinate
Strong's 524: A collection, community of persons

and [men of every] language,
וְלִשָּׁנַיָּֽא׃ (wə·liš·šā·nay·yā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 3961: Speech, a nation

[this is what] you are commanded:
אָֽמְרִין֙ (’ā·mə·rîn)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 560: To say, tell, command


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OT Prophets: Daniel 3:4 Then the herald cried aloud To you (Dan. Da Dn)