Bible Strands
Daniel 3:14
and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden statue I have set up?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Nebuchadnezzar addresses Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego immediately after summoning them before his throne. He confronts them with a direct question regarding their refusal to serve his gods or worship the golden statue.
The words — The Aramaic verb עָנֵה ('a.Neh) conveys a direct reply or response, while נְבֻֽכַדְנֶצַּר (ne.vu.khad.ne.Tzar) identifies the speaker as the Babylonian king.
The thread — The confrontation over idolatry and royal decree echoes the prophetic warnings against Babylon’s pride in Jeremiah 50:2 and Isaiah 46:1, while the statue’s creation is initially recorded in Daniel 3:1.
Why it lands — The verse demands a clear assessment of personal allegiance when confronted with state-enforced conformity. It requires the reader to examine whether their loyalty remains fixed on their faith or shifts under political pressure.
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
Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 50:2 “Announce and declare to the nations; lift up a banner and proclaim it; hold nothing back when you say, ‘Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is shattered, her images are disgraced, her idols are broken in pieces.’
- Daniel 3:1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
- Isaiah 46:1 Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal.
- Daniel 4:8 But at last, into my presence came Daniel (whose name is Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods). And I told him the dream:
- Exodus 21:13 If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.