Daniel 3

Nebuchadnezzar's Golden Image

1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits 1 and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on u the plain of Dura, in v the province of Babylon. 2 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather w the satraps, the prefects, and x the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 Then w the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 And the herald y proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O z peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that when you hear the a sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you b are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately c be cast into a burning fiery furnace." 7 Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all z the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

The Fiery Furnace

8 Therefore at that time certain d Chaldeans e came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. 9 They declared 2 to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, f have made a decree, that every man who g hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, g shall fall down and worship the golden image. 11 And whoever does not fall down and worship c shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have h appointed over the affairs of v the province of Babylon: i Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, j pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar k in furious rage commanded that i Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready when l you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. 3 But if you do not worship, c you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And m who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?"

16 i Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, n our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 4 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was o filled with fury, and the expression of his face p was changed against i Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army q to bind i Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were q bound in their cloaks, their tunics, 5 their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. 22 Because the king's order was r urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up s Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell q bound into the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was t astonished and rose up u in haste. He declared to his v counselors, "Did we not cast three men w bound into the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king." 25 He answered and said, "But I see four men unbound, x walking in the midst of the fire, and they y are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like z a son of the gods."

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, s "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the a Most High God, come out, and come here!" Then s Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 27 And the b satraps, the prefects, the governors, and v the king's counselors gathered together and saw that c the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their d cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of s Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who e has sent his angel and f delivered his servants, who g trusted in him, and set aside 6 the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than h serve and worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore i I make a decree: Any j people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of s Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego k shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way." 30 Then the king promoted s Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in l the province of Babylon.

  1. Cross References
    Genesis 11:2
    And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.
  2. Cross References
    Daniel 3:12
    There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
    Daniel 3:30
    Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
    Daniel 2:48 - 49
    Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.
  3. Cross References
    Daniel 3:27
    And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.
    Daniel 6:1 - 2
    It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom.
    Daniel 6:3 - 4
    Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
    Daniel 6:6 - 7
    Then these presidents and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, "O King Darius, live forever!
    Ezra 8:36
    They also delivered the king's commissions to the king's satraps and to the governors of the province Beyond the River, and they aided the people and the house of God.
  4. Cross References
    Daniel 2:48
    Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.
  5. Cross References
    Daniel 3:2
    Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
  6. Cross References
    Daniel 4:14
    He proclaimed aloud and said thus: 'Chop down the tree and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches.
    Daniel 5:7
    The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
    Revelation 18:2
    And he called out with a mighty voice, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
  7. Cross References
    Daniel 3:29
    Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, ...
    Daniel 4:1
    King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, an...
    Daniel 5:19
    And because of the greatness that he gave him, ...
    Daniel 6:25
    Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nati...
    Daniel 7:14
    And to him was given dominion and glory and a k...
    Revelation 5:9
    And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are y...
  8. Cross References
    Daniel 3:7
    Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
    Daniel 3:10
    You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image.
    Daniel 3:15
    Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?
  9. Cross References
    Daniel 2:46
    Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him.
  10. Cross References
    Jeremiah 29:22
    Because of them this curse shall be used by all the exiles from Judah in Babylon: "The Lord make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire.
    Ezekiel 23:25
    And I will direct my jealousy against you, that they may deal with you in fury. They shall cut off your nose and your ears, and your survivors shall fall by the sword. They shall seize your sons and your daughters, and your survivors shall be devoured by fire.
  11. Cross References
    Daniel 3:4
    And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages.
  12. Cross References
    Daniel 1:4
    Youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.
  13. Cross References
    Daniel 6:12
    Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, "O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.
  14. Cross References
    Daniel 3:29
    Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.
    Daniel 4:6
    So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.
    Daniel 6:26
    I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.
  15. Cross References
    Daniel 3:5
    That when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
    Daniel 3:7
    Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
    Daniel 3:15
    Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?
  16. Cross References
    Daniel 3:5
    That when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
    Daniel 3:7
    Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
    Daniel 3:15
    Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?
  17. Cross References
    Daniel 3:6
    And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.
  18. Cross References
    Daniel 2:49
    Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king's court.
  19. Cross References
    Daniel 3:1
    King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
  20. Cross References
    Daniel 1:7
    And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
  21. Cross References
    Daniel 6:13
    Then they answered and said before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.
  22. Cross References
    Daniel 2:12
    Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed.
  23. Cross References
    Daniel 3:12
    There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
  24. Cross References
    Daniel 3:5
    That when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
    Daniel 3:7
    Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
    Daniel 3:10
    You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image.
  25. Cross References
    Daniel 3:6
    And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.
  26. Cross References
    Daniel 6:20
    As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?
    Exodus 5:2
    But Pharaoh said, "Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.
    2 Kings 18:35
    Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their lands out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?'
  27. Cross References
    Daniel 3:12
    There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
  28. Cross References
    Daniel 3:15
    Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?
  29. Cross References
    Daniel 3:13
    Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king.
    Esther 7:7
    And the king arose in his wrath from the wine-drinking and went into the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm was determined against him by the king.
  30. Cross References
    Daniel 2:49
    Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king's court.
  31. Cross References
    Daniel 3:12
    There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
  32. Cross References
    Daniel 3:24 - 25
    Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king.
  33. Cross References
    Daniel 3:12
    There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
  34. Cross References
    Daniel 3:20
    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.
  35. Cross References
    Daniel 2:15
    He declared to Arioch, the king's captain, "Why is the decree of the king so urgent?" Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel.
  36. Cross References
    Daniel 1:7
    And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
  37. Cross References
    Daniel 3:20
    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.
  38. Cross References
    Daniel 4:19
    Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, "Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you." Belteshazzar answered and said, "My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies!
  39. Cross References
    Daniel 2:25
    Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: "I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.
  40. Cross References
    Daniel 4:36
    At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me.
    Daniel 6:7
    All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.
  41. Cross References
    Daniel 3:20 - 21
    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.
    Daniel 3:23
    And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.
  42. Cross References
    Isaiah 43:2
    When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
  43. Cross References
    Daniel 6:23
    Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
  44. Cross References
    Daniel 3:28
    Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.
    Job 1:6
    Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.
  45. Cross References
    Daniel 3:22
    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.
  46. Cross References
    Daniel 3:22
    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.
  47. Cross References
    Daniel 4:2
    It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.
    Daniel 5:18
    O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty.
    Daniel 5:21
    He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.
  48. Cross References
    Daniel 3:2
    Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
  49. Cross References
    Daniel 3:24
    Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king.
  50. Cross References
    Hebrews 11:34
    Quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
  51. Cross References
    Daniel 3:21
    Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace.
  52. Cross References
    Daniel 3:22
    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.
  53. Cross References
    Daniel 6:22
    My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.
  54. Cross References
    Daniel 3:15
    Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?
    Daniel 3:17
    If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
    Psalms 34:7
    The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
  55. Cross References
    Psalms 25:2
    O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.
  56. Cross References
    Exodus 20:3
    You shall have no other gods before me.
  57. Cross References
    Daniel 3:10
    You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image.
  58. Cross References
    Daniel 3:4
    And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages.
  59. Cross References
    Daniel 3:22
    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.
  60. Cross References
    Daniel 2:5
    The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, "The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins.
  61. Cross References
    Daniel 3:22
    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.
  62. Cross References
    Daniel 3:1
    King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
    Daniel 3:12
    There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
    Daniel 2:48 - 49
    Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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