Daniel 3

Nebuchadnezar seeteth up an image, and will have every man to worship it, ver. 1, &c. Daniels companions refusing to do it, and contemning the kings threatnings, are cast into the fiery furnace, upon the accusation of the Chaldeans, 8 yet are miraculously preserved and delivered by God; but they that kindled the fire are burnt, 22, 23. At this the Kings is exceedingly astonished, 24 and he praiseth God for his faithfulness and power, 28.

1. King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, [From these words and those which follow, it appeareth sufficiently that the possession. See the Anno. there] whose height was threescore ells, and the breadth thereof six ells : he set it up in the valley of Dura in the country of Babel. [From the sequel of this history it appeareth, that the King by the counsel and instigation of the chiefest amongst the Chaldeans set up this image. Compare chapter 6.ver. 4, 5, 6. They invented this cunningly out of hatred especially against Daniels companions, having the authority and high places that they were in, to the end that they refusing to do it might not onely lose their places, but also be put to death. For for other Babylonians fakes, that were of themselves prone enough to idolatry there was no need that they should be compelled to this idolatry by such a cruel threatening. The time when this image was set up is not here expressed; but it is to be suspected that it was some short time after that he had had that dream]

2. And King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather together the Deputies, the Magistrates, and the Lieutenants, the Judges, the Treasurers, the Counsellors, the Commanders, and the Rulers of the Provinces, to come to the consecration of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

3. Then the deputies, the Governours, the Lieutenants, the Judges, the Treasurers, the Counsellors, the Officers, and all the Rulers of the provinces, gathered themselves together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. [The King had summoned all these great Officers to be there present, partly to the honour of this image, partly that all his subjects might the wilinger follow their example, and likewise to frighten the Jews that should refuse to do it]

4. And an Herauld [Or crier, proclaimer, that publickly maketh proclaimation by order from the higher powers] cryes with strength, men say unto you, [or they say unto you; to wit, the king and his council] ye people, ye nations, and tongues. [that is, the people of what tongue or language soever ye be]

5. at the time when ye shall hear the sound of the horn, [Chald. Karma, in Latine cornu] of the pipe, of the Ciltern, [Chald. Kytrees] of the viol, [Chald. Sabboya, called by the Greeks and Latines Sambuca; Some render it an harp; others, a dulcimer] of the Psalteries, of the harmony, [Chald. Sumphoniah, which some conceive to agree with the Greek word signifying a song of many voices agreeing well together: but others are of opinion that it is a certain musical instrument, as Organs, Harpsicalls, known in those times] and all sorts of Musick, ye shall fall down and worship the golden image which King Nebuchadnezzar hath set up.

6. And who so falleth not down and worshippeth, he shall the same hour be cast into the midst of the furnace of burning fire.

7. Therefore at that time when all those people heard the sound of the horn, of the pipe, of the citern, of the viol, of the Psalteries, [After Psalteries is mentioned v.5. harmony-song, which is here omitted] & all sorts of musick, all people, nations and tongues falling down, worshipped the golden image which King Nebuchadnezar had set up.

8. Therefore just at the time [To wit, immediately as soon as they saw that those three young men did not worship the golden image, not being able to tarry so long till this idolatrous ceremony was ended] (certain) Chaldean men came near which openly accused the Jews; that is, which accused the Jews unto the king with a great cry, but especially the three young men at whom they most aimed, because they were advanced to high place. In this verse is shewed that those wicked officers of the king watched for this opportunity to catch the Jews, but especially the three young men, into their net. See on ver.1.]

9. They answered [That is, they spake so frequently] and said to the King Nebuchadnezar: O King live for ever. See above chapter 2. on ver. 4.]

10. Thou, O King, hast given [Chald. made; that is, caused to go forth] a command, that all men that should hear the sound of the horn, of the pipe, of the citern, of the viol, of the Psalteries, and of the harmony-song, and all sorts of musick, should fall down and worship the golden image:

11. And whosoever should not fall down and worship, (that) he should be cast into the midst of the furnace of burning fire.

12. There are Jewish men, whom thou hast set over the administration [Or work, or affaires] of the country of Babel, Sadrach, Mesach, and Abednego: [why do they not also in like manner accuse Daniel? either he was not present when the decree was made, being somewhat afar off to dispatch some great and weighty business of the king: or if he was present, they knew ful well that he was in so great favour with the king, that they should have accused him but in vain. Therefore they held their peace concerning him, at least for a time, seeking first to destroy those three men, that in this general assembly could not nor might not absent themselves] these men, O King, have not regarded thee: [as if they should say, in stead of yielding all due obedience unto thee, by reason of the manifold honours, favours and benefits received from thee, they have been most disobedient towards thee,] they [to wit, these three young men] honour [or serve] not thy Gods, [as I Kin. 11.33. Others, thy God; that is, this image which thou makest thy God: or wherein, or whereby thou worshippeth thy God] neither do they worship the golden image which thou hast set up. [It is no where said in this history, that the other Jews were accused or punished. Some are of opinion, that these wicked Chaldeans were so glad when they had gotten these three young men in their net, that they minded not the rest.]

13. Then Nebuchadnezar in (his) anger and wrath said, that they should bring forth Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: then were those three men brought before the King.

14. Nebuchadnezar answered and said unto them, is it of purpose, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that ye serve not my Gods, nor worship the golden Image that I have set up? [As if he should say, do ye do this in good earnest, and with premeditate advice? or do ye mock and flout at me and at this my God? Others, is it true? &c.]

15. Now then, if ye be ready, that at the time when ye shall hear the sound of the horn, of the pipe, of the citern, of the viol, of the psalteries, and of the harmony-song, and all kind of musick, ye fall down and worship the image that I have made, (then it is well) [The meaning is, if ye now yet obey my command, I will be favourable unto you. The like imperfect speech is sound, Luke 13:9. Others, in the beginning of the verse thus; now behold, be ye ready, &c. in a commanding way] but if ye worship it not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of the furnace of burning fire: and who is the God that should [or shall] deliver you out of mine hands? [herunder he comprehendeth also the true God. So that this is horrible blasphemy. Compare herewith the words of Senacherib, 2 Kings 19. and of the Pharisees, Matth. 27.42.]

16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered, and said unto King Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter. [The meaning is , It will be but in vain for us to answer thee, for thou hast certainly decreed to put us to death, if we do not worship thy gods, and we have a strong resolution to contemn them: seeing therefore thou wilt not be drawn off from thy resolution, nor we from ours, it is then in vain for us to use many words, no advantage comes of it. See the like signification of the Hebrew word, Ezra 6:9.and 7. 20.]

17. If it shall be so, [To wit, that we shall be cast into this fiery furnace] our God, whom wo honour is able to deliver us from the furnace of buning fire, [others, Behold, our God whom we honour, is able, &c.] and he will deliver (us) out of thine hand, O King.

18. But if not, be it known unto thee, O King, that we will not honour thy gods, neither will (we) worship the golden image that thou hast set up. [If it please not our God to deliver us, yet we will not commit this Idolatry, yea not so much as with our outward countenance; we will rather die than do it.]

19. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his face [Chald.the image, &c. that is, the habit of his face, that whereby a man is known] was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: he answered and said, that they should make the furnace seven times more hot then they were wont to make it hot. [Chal.are seven times above it was seen to be heated. The furnace was made hot already, as may be gathered from vers. 6. but that was not enough, it must be made seven times hotter. Others, then it was meet to heat it. This command was given by that cruel King, that burned in his Idolatrous zeal, to frighten others hereby, and to make them to obey him]

20. And he said unto the strongest men of power [Chald. to the men, the men of strength, or power; that is, to the strongest men] that were in his army, [or that were in his retinue, guard] that they should bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, to cast (them) into the furnace of the burning fire. [In former times Kings were wont to cause the executions of their commands to be done by their souldiers or guard. See 2 Sam. 1. 15.]

21. Then were those men bound [That they might be the fitter to be cast in] in their cloaks, [that is, upper garments, which (no doubt) were goodly and decent, as was meet for such men to wear] their breeches and their hats, and their (other) garments, [here is shewed, that these executioners of the kings command were so zealous to obey the cruel King, that they stayed not to strip off the mens garments, though never so rich and costly, but forthwith cast both men and garments together into the fire, as followeth] and they cast them into the midst of the furnace of burning fire.

22. Therefore then because the Kings word [That is, command] was urgent, and the furnace was exceeding hot, the sparks of the fire those men that had lift up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, [or had taken (them) up. Chald had made (them) go up; that is, that had first lift them up on high,to cast them into the fiery furnace. For in regard the furnace was high then the ground, therefore these ministers were fain first to take up the young men, and then to let them fall, or to cast them into the fire. The meaning is, that the sparks or utmost parts of the flame, or the smoke and vapour, burnt those lustly men that made the fire, but that the three men remained unhurt in the midst of the flame of fire, as followeth. The almighty power of Gods providence caused these to be burnt whom the King would have to be burnt, they were spared. Compare below chapter 6. 25.]

23. But when those three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, being bound, were fallen (down) into the midst of the furnace of burning fire: [When the Prophet saith, that they being bound, fell down into the furnace, he sheweth, that they coula no wayes shun the fury of fire, and therefore according to the course of nature must be necessity be strainghtway burned. Some translators adde here the song of Praise, which these three men are said to have sung in the fiery furnace; but the same is not found in the Hebrew text, and consequently is apocryphal]

24. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonied, [To wit, when he saw four men walking in the furnace, as followeth] and he rose up, [before he sat as a King in his chair, to behold the marrying of the three young men] in haste [or with compassion] and answered and said unto his counsellours, [others, governours, or assistants, or life-guard] Did not we [to wit, I at your request, and by your counsel] cast three men, being bound, into the midst of the fire? [they were indeed bound with cords, being cast into the fiery furnace, but these cords were straightway burnt in pieces, or loosed and dissolved by the Angel, as followeth] they answered and said unto the King, it is true. [they must as well as the King bear witness of the truth.]

25. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire, and there is no hurt upon them: And the form of the fourth is like (the form) of a son of the Gods, [or like (the form) of a Son of God. That is exceeding fair, excelling in beauty, as if he were not of humane, but of divine off-spring. vers. 28.he calleth him directly, and Angel of God. How the Angels are called sons of God, see Job chap.1. the Annotat. on vers. 6. and chapter 38. on vers. 7. God adjoyned this Angel unto these three men for their comfort, and for their ease and refreshing, that they might not faint in the midst of the fire and of the flame. Compare 2 Kings 6:15. Psal. 34. 8. and 91 11. Some are of opinion, that it was Christ himself that appeared unto these young men]

26. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of burning fire, [He that before had strictly commanded that those young men should be brought unto him, vers. 13. doth now himself go in astonishment and amazement of spirit unto them] answered and said; Ye Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, [whose servants then were the Chaldeans and Nebuchadnezzar himself? Servants of false gods and Idols, which they had devised and made for themselves. Nebuchadnezzar calleth the true God the most high God, not so much out of a sincere meaning and intention of his heart, as out of dejection and astonishment of spirit, by beholding the great miracle that was wrought. To whom he had done before the greatest wrong, to them he doth now the greatest honour. The same mouth that had condemned them befre, doth now clear them] come forth, and come hither: then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came forth of the midst of the fire. [God would have, that these men should not come forth till they had a command from the King to do it, by whose command they were cast into the fiery furnace, to the intent that the miracle might be known, and the King might be fully convinced. God was able indeed to have quenched the fire, but it pleased him to let it burn still, that his power might the longer appear before the eyes of all men,]

27. Then the Deputies, Governours, and Lieutenants, and the Kings Counsellours gathered together, beholding these men, [That is, they drew nearer together to confer of this miracle which they saw. It pleased God that the Princes of the Chaldeans should see this miracle exactly, that every one might talk and discourse thereof among their friends and acquaintance, which would be of more efficacy, then if all the Jews had talked of it, and had been witnesses thereof among the heathen] because the fire had not power over their bodies, and because the hair [or no hair] of their head was not burnt, [or finged] neither were their coats altered: [that is, there was not so much as a nap or the the least wooll upon them, that was hurt by the fire, or had changed his colour] yea that the smell of fire had not gone through them. [either through their bodies, or through their garments. The meaning is, they did not so much smell of burning, or the fire.]

28. Nebuchadnezar answered [That is, spake] and said, praised be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, [Chald. Praised be the God of these, of Shadrach, &c. why doth he not say, Praised be my God? because he would not yet forsake his false god, to serve onely the one true God, who is a jealous God] who hath sent his Angel, and delivered his servants, [in that this heathenish King here can speak of the Angel of the Lord, it may be he had heard and learnt it from the mouth of the three young men, after that they being delivered out of the furnace, had communed with him, and had related all things to him. Compare this history with Dan.6.23.] that trusted in him, and have changed the Kings word, [that is, not regarded nor obeyed it: namely, because it was repugnant to the command of God, which forbiddeth Idolatry. See the like phrase, fire] that they might not honour, nor worship any God, save their (own) God. [the king indeed commended those young men for sticking to constantly close to their, that is, to the true God, but he ought to have imitated them in honouring and serving this true God.]

29. Therefore a command is given by me, that every people, nation, and longue, which spake blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, [Or which speake errour, any thing amiss; that is, which speake a vain, idle, and erroneous word; he that offendeth in words against the God of Shadrack, &c. how much more those that should have spoken a reproachful of blasphemous word? he as yet doth not give to this image or idol, commanding all people and nations to worship it. Concerning the true God, he commandeth onely that they should speak no hurt of him, nor blaspheme him: neither doth he call the true God his God, but the God of Shadrach, &c. whence may be gathered, that Nebuchadnezar forsook not his Idols, but fear and terror wrung this profession from him. This appeareth also by the next chapter; for when he had again another dream, he sought again to the Chaldeans and Magicians, for to have the interpretation of it] be hewn in pices, and his house be made a dung-hill: [See above chap.2. vers.5.] for there is no other God that can deliver so. [namely, so wonderfully, so speedily, so powerfully. Others, that can deliver like this]

30. Then the King made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, prosperous in the countrey of Babel. [Others, Then the King restored Shadrach, &c. to wit, to their former honours and offices, every one in the province where he had dwelt before, and had had command. This was as much, as if the King had sent forth three excellent Teachers, to publish throughout the whole land the power and wonders of the true God manifested toward them.]