Daniel 3:13
Then Nebuchadnezzar, furious with rage, summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,
Then Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon, a powerful empire during the time of Daniel. His name, derived from the Akkadian language, means "Nabu, protect my boundary." Nabu was a Babylonian deity associated with wisdom and writing. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar is known for his military conquests and the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. In the biblical narrative, he represents the epitome of earthly power and authority, often in contrast to the divine authority of God.

furious with rage
The phrase "furious with rage" indicates an intense emotional response. In the Hebrew text, the words used convey a deep-seated anger that is both personal and political. Nebuchadnezzar's fury is not just a personal affront but also a challenge to his authority and the religious system he has established. This reaction highlights the king's human frailty and the volatility of earthly power when confronted with divine truth.

summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are the Babylonian names given to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, respectively. These names reflect the Babylonian attempt to assimilate them into their culture, as each name is associated with Babylonian gods. Their summoning by the king underscores the tension between their faithfulness to the God of Israel and the demands of the Babylonian empire. It sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between faith and idolatry.

So these men were brought before the king
The phrase "brought before the king" signifies a formal and potentially perilous encounter. In ancient Near Eastern courts, appearing before the king could lead to either favor or punishment. For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, this moment is a test of their faith and integrity. It is a pivotal point where their commitment to God is publicly challenged, and their response will have significant implications for their witness and the demonstration of God's power.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nebuchadnezzar
The king of Babylon, known for his powerful reign and the construction of the golden statue that he commanded all to worship. His reaction in this verse shows his authoritarian nature and intolerance for disobedience.

2. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Three Jewish men, also known by their Hebrew names Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, who were taken into Babylonian captivity. They are known for their unwavering faith in God, refusing to bow to the king's statue.

3. Babylon
The setting of this event, a significant city in ancient Mesopotamia, known for its wealth, power, and idolatry. It represents a place of testing for the faith of God's people.

4. The Golden Statue
An idol erected by Nebuchadnezzar, symbolizing the king's power and the demand for absolute loyalty. It serves as a test of faith for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

5. The Fiery Furnace
Although not mentioned in this specific verse, it is the consequence faced by those who refuse to worship the statue, highlighting the severity of the king's decree.
Teaching Points
Faith Under Pressure
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego exemplify steadfast faith in God despite external pressures. Believers today are called to stand firm in their convictions, even when faced with societal or cultural demands that contradict their faith.

The Cost of Discipleship
Following God may lead to persecution or trials, as seen in the threat of the fiery furnace. Christians should be prepared to face challenges for their beliefs, trusting in God's deliverance and sovereignty.

God's Sovereignty Over Earthly Powers
Nebuchadnezzar's rage and authority are ultimately subject to God's greater power. This reminds believers that no earthly power can thwart God's plans or His protection over His people.

Courageous Witness
The boldness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego serves as an example of witnessing to God's truth in hostile environments. Christians are encouraged to be courageous in sharing their faith, trusting that God will use their testimony for His glory.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to Nebuchadnezzar's decree challenge us to evaluate our own responses to societal pressures?

2. In what ways can we prepare ourselves to stand firm in our faith when faced with trials or persecution?

3. How does the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty over the authorities and powers in our lives?

4. What are some modern-day "golden statues" that Christians might be tempted to bow down to, and how can we resist them?

5. How can the courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego inspire us to be bold witnesses for Christ in our daily lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:3-5
The commandment against idolatry, which Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego uphold by refusing to worship the golden statue.

Acts 5:29
The apostles' declaration to obey God rather than men, paralleling the stance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the face of Nebuchadnezzar's decree.

Hebrews 11:34
Part of the "Faith Hall of Fame," which speaks of those who "quenched the fury of the flames," likely referencing the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Harmless FiresAlexander MaclarenDaniel 3:13
The Ceaseless Creation of GodsH.T. Robjohns Daniel 3:1-13
Christians UnconquerableSignal.Daniel 3:12-18
Courage and FidelityW. Reading M. A., W. Jay.Daniel 3:12-18
Devotion to PrincipleD. J. Burrell, D.D.Daniel 3:12-18
Is it TrueDaniel 3:12-18
Nebuchadnezzar's Golden ImageC. P. Reichel, D. D.Daniel 3:12-18
On the Conduct of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-NegoChristian ObserverDaniel 3:12-18
Pious YouthW. A. Scott, D.D.Daniel 3:12-18
Religious IntoleranceC. Leach, D.D.Daniel 3:12-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-NegoD. Kelly, B. A.Daniel 3:12-18
The Duty of Religious ProfessionDaniel 3:12-18
The Fiery FurnaceG. F. Pentecost, D.D.Daniel 3:12-18
The Fiery Furnace; Or, True Principle ExemplifiedJ. H. Hughes.Daniel 3:12-18
The Fiery TrialOriginal Secession MagazineDaniel 3:12-18
The Golden ImageWilliam White.Daniel 3:12-18
The Hebrew YouthsW. R. Inglis.Daniel 3:12-18
The Importance of a True CreedDean Payne-Smith, D.D.Daniel 3:12-18
The Martyr SpiritP. H. Hunter.Daniel 3:12-18
The MartyrsJ. B. Brown, B.A.Daniel 3:12-18
The Nonconformists of BabylonW. J. Macdonald.Daniel 3:12-18
The Nonconformists of BabylonW. M. Taylor, D.D.Daniel 3:12-18
The Power of Youthful PietyCaleb Morris.Daniel 3:12-18
The Refusal to Worship the Golden ImageJ. Parsons.Daniel 3:12-18
The Three Hebrew YouthsC. Neil, M.A.Daniel 3:12-18
The Three Hebrew YouthsT. Kidd.Daniel 3:12-18
The Three Jews in BabylonJ. Foster.Daniel 3:12-18
The Three Witnesses on the Plains of DuraF. Thorne.Daniel 3:12-18
The Three Witnesses on the Plains of DuraH. J. Hastings, M.A.Daniel 3:12-18
The Trial of FireJ. T. Murray.Daniel 3:12-18
The True Way of Treating Sin, and What Comes of ItWayland Hoyt, D.D.Daniel 3:12-18
Three HeroesJohn Williams.Daniel 3:12-18
Three Names High on the Muster-RollDaniel 3:12-18
Three NoncomformistsF. James.Daniel 3:12-18
A Critical AlternativeJ.D. Davies Daniel 3:13-15
People
Abednego, Daniel, Meshach, Nebuchadnezzar, Obadiah, Shadrach
Places
Babylon, Dura
Topics
Abednego, Abed'nego, Abed-nego, Anger, Bring, Commanded, Furious, Fury, Meshach, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnez'zar, Orders, Passion, Rage, Shadrach, Summoned, Wrath
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Daniel 3:13

     5962   surprises

Daniel 3:4-15

     5421   musical instruments

Daniel 3:8-23

     7515   anti-semitism

Daniel 3:13-17

     8795   persecution, nature of

Daniel 3:13-18

     5931   resistance

Daniel 3:13-20

     5824   cruelty, examples

Library
Harmless Fires
'Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king. 14. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? 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
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Jordan: the Decisive Start. Matthew 3:13-17. Mark 1:9-1Luke
3:21-22. The Anvil of Experience: knowledge only through experience--the Fourth, Daniel 3:25.--three Hebrews, Daniel 3.--Babylonian premier, Daniel 6:16-23.--George Mueller--Jesus made perfect through experience, Hebrews 2:10. 5:8, 9. 7:28, l.c.--all our experiences, Hebrews 2:14-18. Philippians 2:7. Hebrews 4:15, except through sin, Hebrews 4:15, l.c. 7:26. 2 Corinthians 5:21, f.c. 1 Peter 2:22. 1 John 3:5, l.c.--Jesus' suffering, Philippians 2:6-8. Hebrews 2:9, 17, 18. 4:15. His obedience, Luke
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

Three Names High on the Muster-Roll
IF YOU READ the second chapter of the Book of Daniel, you will think that Nebuchadnezzar was not far from the kingdom. His dream had troubled him; but Daniel had explained it. Then the king made this confession to Daniel, "Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret." He acknowledged that Jehovah, the God of the Jews, was the greatest of gods, and was a great interpreter of secrets; and yet in a short time
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Song of the Three Children
DANIEL iii. 16, 17, 18. O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 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. 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. We read this morning, instead of the Te Deum, the Song of the Three Children, beginning, 'Oh all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

The Power and Triumph of Faith. Dan 3:06

John Newton—Olney Hymns

The Lord Coming to his Temple
The LORD , whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple; even the messenger of the covenant in whom ye delight: Behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like a fuller's soap, -- and he shall purify the sons of Levi -- that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. W hereunto shall we liken the people of this generation? and to what are they like? (Luke 7:31)
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Disciple, -- what is the Meaning and Purpose of the Cross...
The Disciple,--What is the meaning and purpose of the cross, and why do pain and suffering exist in the world? The Master,--1. The cross is the key to heaven. At the moment when by My baptism I took the cross upon My shoulders for the sake of sinners, heaven was opened, and by means of My thirty-three years bearing of the cross and by death upon it, heaven, which by reason of sin was closed to believers, was for ever opened to them. Now as soon as believers take up their cross and follow Me they
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet

A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
[In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient,
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair, My Love; There is no Spot in Thee. " --Song of Solomon iv. 7.
FRAGRANT SPICES FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF MYRRH. HOW marvellous are these words! "Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee." The glorious Bridegroom is charmed with His spouse, and sings soft canticles of admiration. When the bride extols her Lord there is no wonder, for He deserves it well, and in Him there is room for praise without possibility of flattery. But does He who is wiser than Solomon condescend to praise this sunburnt Shulamite? Tis even so, for these are His own words, and were
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

Daniel
Daniel is called a prophet in the New Testament (Matt. xxiv. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, however, the book called by his name appears not among the prophets, but among "the writings," between Esther and Ezra. The Greek version placed it between the major and the minor prophets, and this has determined its position in modern versions. The book is both like and unlike the prophetic books. It is like them in its passionate belief in the overruling Providence of God and in the sure consummation of His
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Daniel 3:13 NIV
Daniel 3:13 NLT
Daniel 3:13 ESV
Daniel 3:13 NASB
Daniel 3:13 KJV

Daniel 3:13 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Daniel 3:12
Top of Page
Top of Page