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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 3:6

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace . The only difference between the Septuagint and the Massoretic text is that instead of rendering, "shall be cast," it is put in the plural active, "they shall cast him." There may have been a difference of reading— יִרְמונֵה instead of יִתְרְמֵא . It is, perhaps, more probable that it is simply that the translator preferred this construction to the one which would have... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 3:5

That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet - It would not be practicable to determine with precision what kind of instruments of music are denoted by the words used in this verse. They were, doubtless, in many respects different from those which are in use now, though they may have belonged to the same general class, and may have been constructed on substantially the same principles. A full inquiry into the kinds of musical instruments in use among the Hebrews may be found in the various... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 3:6

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth - The order in this verse seems to be tyrannical, and it is contrary to all our notions of freedom of religious opinion and worship. But it was much in the spirit of that age, and indeed of almost every age. It was an act to enforce uniformity in religion by the authority of the civil magistrate, and to secure it by threatened penalties. It should be observed, however, that the command at that time would not be regarded as harsh and oppressive by... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 3:4-6

Daniel 3:4-6. Then a herald cried aloud Made proclamation in the languages of the several nations assembled; To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages Whatever parts of the empire you come from, and whatever language you speak. This form of speech was doubtless designed to set forth the largeness and extent of the Babylonish empire. That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, &c. That is, of wind and stringed instruments of various sorts. It is justly observed... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:1-30

Saved from the fiery furnace (3:1-30)Within Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom were people of many races, languages and religions. In a plan to create greater unity among these people, Nebuchadnezzar made a huge image as a national religious symbol, and demanded that all citizens, great and small, bow before it. He set up the image in open plain country where it could be seen from afar, then called all the leading officials from the country areas to a dedication ceremony (3:1-3). He gave instructions... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Daniel 3:5

cornet, &c. These names are supposed to be Greek, or from the Greek; but Athenaeus, a Greek grammarian (about A.D. 200-300), says the sambuke ("sack-but") was a Syriac invention. Strabo, in his geography (54 B.C. A.D. 24), ascribes Greek music to Asia, and says: "the Athenians always showed their admiration of foreign customs". harp . Chaldee. kithros ; Greek. kithara. Terpander, a Greek musician (seventh century B. C), the father of Greek music, invented the kithara with seven... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Daniel 3:5

Daniel 3:5. Harp— The original word is קיתרס caithros, which seems to be denominated from the citron-tree, the product of Armenia, Media, and Persia; the tree itself might take its name from the ground in which it flourished, or from the round figure of its fruit: for קתר ceter, signifies a rock in the Chaldee (Proverbs 30:26.), and mountainous or rocky places are called cythera, and citharon. Citra is likewise Chaldee for a crown, turban, or diadem of the head, and is the proper name for the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Daniel 3:6

Daniel 3:6. The same hour— This is the first place in the Old Testament, where we meet with the division of time into hours. The Greeks ascribe the invention of them to Anaximander, who perhaps received it from the Chaldees. The mode of punishment here mentioned was common among this people. Compare Jeremiah 29:22. It has been said that Abraham was exposed to this punishment before his departure from Chaldea. See Calmet. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 3:5

5. cornet—A wind instrument, like the French horn, is meant. flute—a pipe or pipes, not blown transversely as our "flute," but by mouthpieces at the end. sackbut—a triangular stringed instrument, having short strings, the sound being on a high sharp key. psaltery—a kind of harp. dulcimer—a bagpipe consisting of two pipes, thrust through a leathern bag, emitting a sweet plaintive sound. Chaldee sumponya, the modern Italian zampogna, Asiatic zambonja. fall down—that the recusants might be the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 3:6

6. No other nation but the Jews would feel this edict oppressive; for it did not prevent them worshipping their own gods besides. It was evidently aimed at the Jews by those jealous of their high position in the king's court, who therefore induced the king to pass an edict as to all recusants, representing such refusal of homage as an act of treason to Nebuchadnezzar as civil and religious "head" of the empire. So the edict under Darius ( :-) was aimed against the Jews by those jealous of... read more

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