Daniel 3:8 - Forerunner Commentary

Daniel 3:8

6 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall ^abe cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”

7 So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Daniel’s Friends Disobey the King

8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans ^acame forward and accused the Jews.

9 They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, ^a“O king, live forever!

10 You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image;

11 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

12 ^aThere are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have ^bnot paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in ^arage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king.

14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?

15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, ^agood! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. ^bAnd who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, ^awe have no need to answer you in this matter.

17 If that is the case, our ^aGod whom we serve is able to ^bdeliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.

18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we ^aworship the gold image which you have set up.”

Saved in Fiery Trial

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.

20 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.

Verse Comparison: Daniel 3:8

<< Daniel 3:7

Daniel 3:9 >>

American Standard Version
Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews.

Amplified® Bible
Therefore at that time certain men of Chaldean descent came near and brought [malicious] accusations against the Jews.

Contemporary English Version
Some Babylonians used this as a chance to accuse the Jews to King Nebuchadnezzar.

Darby English Version
Whereupon at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

Good News Bible
It was then that some Babylonians took the opportunity to denounce the Jews.

King James Version
Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

New American Standard Bible
For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews.

New International Version
At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews.

New King James Version
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews.

Revised Standard Version
Therefore at that time certain Chalde'ans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.

Young's Literal Translation
Therefore at that time drawn near have certain Chaldeans, and accused the Jews;

New English Translation
Now¹ at that time certain² Chaldeans came forward and brought malicious accusations against³ the Jews.

<< Daniel 3:7

Daniel 3:9 >>