Where was Daniel when his three friends were cast into the furnace?
Where was Daniel when his 3 friends were cast into the furnace?
Daniel 3:1 - 30
ESV - 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. 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.
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Asked March 26 2022
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John Adamson
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Dennis Brew
Thanks Shirley. The Chronological Life Application Study Bible, New Living T., notes for 3:30: "Where was Daniel in this story? The Bible doesn't say, but there are several possibilities. (1) He may have been on official business in another part of the kingdom. (2) He may have been present, but because he was a ruler, the officials didn't accuse him of not falling down and worshiping the image. (3) He may have been in the capital city handling the administration while Nebuchadnezzar was away. (4) He may have been considered exempt from bowing down to the image because of his reputation for interpreting dreams through his God." [ After Daniel interpreted the king's first dream, the king, "made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men." 2:48 After the three men stepped out of the fiery furnace, who had been in charge of the affairs of Babylon, 2:49, 3:12, and the king praised their God, 3:28, he promoted them to higher positions in the province, 3:30. Then Nebuchadnezzar had another dream that frightened him, 4:4, so he called all of the wise men of Babylon, magicians, enchanters, astrologers (Chaldeans), and fortune-tellers, to tell him what it meant. But they couldn't. 4:4-7. "At last", "finally" (NAS), 4:8, Daniel went in before the king and told him what he had dreamt. He did not go in with the wise men, so maybe he was farther away from the city than they were. So, he could have been away when the three men were thrown into the fiery furnace. The Ryrie Study Bible, NAS, notes for 4:8: "Daniel did not appear immediately, perhaps of his own choosing..." Thus, reason (1) and (3), although, the verses do not indicate that Nebuchadnezzar was away. Daniel was the, "chief of the magicians", and the king knew, "that the spirit of the holy gods" was in him, 4:8-9. Therefore, Daniel was not accused of not falling down and worshiping the image. He was too revered. Thus, reason (2) and (4) ]
Shirley H
Daniel chapter 1 we see Daniel and his friends refusing the delicacies of the king. They preferred to honor God. At the end of their trial diet, the chief eunuch brought the boys before King Nebuchednezzar. The King was very impressed with their health. In chapter 2, no one can interrupt King Nebuchadnezzar's dream. The Chaldeans declare that only the gods could tell the king the meaning of his dream. God revealed the meaning of the dream to Daniel. And Daniel reported it to the King. So the King promoted Daniel, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon. Daniel also became chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. Daniel was given many gifts. Daniel's friends were placed under him, over the affairs of the province of Babylon. In chapter 3, we read about the fiery trial in the furnace. But where is Daniel? I am speculating that perhaps one of the gifts that Daniel had received was a private residence. In chapter 6, we see Daniel was a governor. There were enemies that wanted to be rid of Daniel. Daniel 6:10, tells us that Daniel was home in his upper window facing west toward Jerusalem praying. I think that Daniel was in a separate place when his companions were thrown into the fiery furnace. Maybe in His home, a special gift from the King. Our Bible is not clear on this question. This is my impression.
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