Bible Strands
Daniel 2:49
And at Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the king’s administrative decision immediately after Daniel’s own promotion and appointment over Babylon’s province and wise men.
The words — בְּעָא (be.'A) translates to “he asked,” and עֲבִֽידְתָּא ('a.vi.de.Ta) means “administration.” These terms frame the king’s action as a direct response to Daniel’s petition regarding provincial governance.
The thread — This narrative of court administration and royal appointment parallels the placement of loyal officials at the king’s gate in Esther 2:19 and Esther 2:21, and continues the naming and elevation pattern from Daniel 1:7.
Why it lands — The text states that Daniel’s request results in the king elevating Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage Babylon while Daniel stays at court. It asks the reader to note how administrative succession and royal favor operate through human petition without displacing the original appointee.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.
Cross-references
- Esther 2:19 When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.
- Daniel 1:7 The chief official gave them new names: To Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
- Esther 2:21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, grew angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.
- Daniel 3:12 But there are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—who have ignored you, O king, and have refused to serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”
- Amos 5:15 Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”
- Esther 3:2 All the royal servants at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.
- Proverbs 28:12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
- Jeremiah 39:3 Then all the officials of the king of Babylon entered and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon.
- Daniel 1:17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.
- Daniel 2:17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,