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
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
1. The worship of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue 3:1-7 read more
The musical instruments referred to (Daniel 3:5; Daniel 3:7) also have Persian names. [Note: Archer, A Survey . . ., p. 375; K. A. Kitchen, "The Aramaic in Daniel," in Notes on Some Problems in the Book of Daniel, p. 43; T. C. Mitchell and R. Joyce, "The Musical Instruments in Nebuchadnezzar’s Orchestra," in Notes on Some Problems in the Book of Daniel, pp. 19-27.] Some of these instruments were Greek as well. The Greeks had an influence on Babylonia earlier than Daniel’s time. [Note: W. F.... read more
The Golden Image and the Fiery FurnaceNebuchadnezzar sets up a colossal golden image, and summons to its dedication all the officials of his empire, who are commanded to fall down and worship the image at a given musical signal, on pain of being cast into a furnace (Daniel 3:1-6). They all do so, with the exception of Daniel’s three friends, whose refusal is reported to Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:7-12). They are summoned before the king, and persist in their refusal (Daniel 3:13-18).... read more
(6) Shall be cast . . .—This punishment was not uncommon among the Babylonians. One instance of it is mentioned by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:22; see also Transactions of the Society of Biblical Archœology, vol. ii., p. 361). The occasion being a national festival, any refusal to worship the national gods would be regarded as high treason. Any foreign subjects would be expected to take part in the ceremony, their gods being supposed to have been conquered, and being regarded as demons. (Comp. 2... read more
Daniel 3:1 Bentley's first year at Trinity is marked by at least one event altogether fortunate his marriage. At Bishop Stillingfleet's he had met Miss Joanna Bernard, daughter of Sir John Bernard, of Brampton, Huntingdonshire. 'Being now raised to a station of dignity and consequence, he succeeded in obtaining the object of his affections,' says Dr. Monk who refuses to believe a story that the engagement was nearly broken off owing to a doubt expressed by Bentley with regard to the authority... read more
THE IDOL OF GOLD, AND THE FAITHFUL THREEREGARDED as an instance of the use of historic fiction to inculcate the noblest truths, the third chapter of Daniel is not only superb in its imaginative grandeur, but still more in the manner in which it sets forth the piety of ultimate faithfulness, and of that"Death-defying utterance of truth" which is the essence of the most heroic and inspiring forms of martyrdom. So far from slighting it, because it does not come before us with adequate evidence to... read more
CHAPTER 3 The Image of Gold 1. The image of gold (Daniel 3:1-7 ) 2. The faithful three (Daniel 3:8-18 ) 3. The miraculous deliverance (Daniel 3:19-25 ) 4. The worshipping king (Daniel 3:26-30 ) Daniel 3:1-7 . He had an immense statue of gold made, the image of a man, no doubt, and he set it up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. It was idolatry and the deification of man. Idolatry and the deification of man are then the first moral characteristics mentioned which are to... read more
Get a Bible verse delivered to your inbox every day!
Read on Mobile
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