Study notes

Daniel 3

Introducing DanielWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

2:1–6:28

This section contains stories and dreams from the experiences of Daniel and his friends in Babylon. Daniel used his special gift to understand dreams and showed great skill in the study of literature and science (Daniel 1:17). Chapter 2 provides a broad overview of history until God's kingdom appears (Daniel 2:44–49). Daniel 3–6 describes the fall of Babylon and the rise of Persia. History is moving toward a clear goal. That goal is the everlasting kingdom of God (Daniel 2:44; 4:2–3, 34; 6:26).

3:1

The plain of Dura may have been the plain next to the city of Babylon. Another possibility is that the Aramaic term refers to the great outer wall of Babylon described by the Greek historian Herodotus.
statue: This word means "image."

3:1–30

Nebuchadnezzar's obsession with power might have been fueled by the vision in Daniel 2. This obsession led him to build a golden statue and order everyone in his empire to worship it. He did not understand that God cannot be contained in any created object.

The three young Hebrews refused to worship the statue as a god. They remained faithful to the Lord, and the Lord saved them from the king's anger.

3:1–30 Section

Babylon ruled over many different people groups. Nebuchadnezzar ordered everyone to worship a statue of a false god. This was a test to see if they accepted Nebuchadnezzar’s authority as king over them.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were humble. They spoke to Nebuchadnezzar with respect. This showed that they accepted Nebuchadnezzar’s authority. But they were faithful to the Mount Sinai covenant by worshipping only God. They refused to worship false gods. This meant that they would be harmed and put to death for not obeying Nebuchadnezzar. They believed that God had the power to rescue them. But even if God chose not to rescue them they would remain faithful to God.

Nebuchadnezzar ordered that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be put to death. He was shocked that what he ordered didn’t happen. God sent an angel to protect Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. This showed Nebuchadnezzar that the God of the Jews had more power than he did. Their God had power that other gods didn’t have. So Nebuchadnezzar allowed the people he ruled over to worship the God of the Jews.

3:2

The various classes of people listed here were all governmental officials.

3:5

Pipes might be translated as "drums," or this could be a musical term meaning to be "in harmony" with the other instruments.

3:7

all the people: Outside of Israel, idol worship was common. So, all the non-Jewish people obeyed the king's command.

3:11

In some situations, the Lord’s people must refuse to obey the established authorities in order to remain faithful to the Lord (compare Acts 4:19; 5:29; Romans 13:1–7).

3:12

These Jews had disobeyed the king by refusing to worship his statue. Disobeying the king was considered an act of high treason (see Daniel 2:10–13).

3:13

Nebuchadnezzar could become very angry, even with his most honored officials (compare Daniel 2:12, 48–49).

3:14

is it true: The Aramaic word hatzdāʾ appears only here in the Old Testament. The king might have been asking, “Are you doing this on purpose?”

3:15

Now when … very good: The three men may have received a second chance because they had previously served the king and had a good relationship with him.

3:16–18

The three men declared their loyalty to God above all else. They trusted the God who had saved the entire nation of Israel from Pharaoh's power (Exodus 18:10). God later showed that those who stay faithful until death will be saved even after they have died (Daniel 12:1–3).

3:23

In the Greek version and the Latin Vulgate, The Prayer of Azariah and The Song of the Three Jews appear after Daniel 3:23 (see Daniel Book Introduction, “Author and Date”).

3:25

walking around: The same word appears in Genesis 3:8–9.
like a son of the gods!: The king understood the being to be the Lord’s angel (Daniel 3:28).