Daniel 3:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 3:8-18

It was strange that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, would be present at this assembly, when, it is likely, they knew for what intent it was called together. Daniel, we may suppose, was absent, either his business calling him away or having leave from the king to withdraw, unless we suppose that he stood so high in the king's favour that none durst complain of him for his noncompliance. But why did not his companions keep out of the way? Surely because they would obey the king's orders as far... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:17

If it be so ,.... That we must be cast into the fiery furnace, as thou hast threatened: our God whom we serve ; for though they did not serve the gods of the Babylonians, they did not live without God in the world; they believed in the one true God, the God of Israel, their covenant God and Father; whom they worshipped, had an interest in, and who had and would have a regard for them: he, say they, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace ; either to prevent their being... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:17

If it be so - Thou mayest cast us into the furnace; the terror of it has no effect on our minds to induce us to alter the resolution we have taken, nor shall the fire change our purpose. We serve a God who is able to deliver us. Should he not, we are equally determined; but we are satisfied that in some way or other he will deliver us out of thy hand. Thy power cannot affect us in the kingdom of our God to which we shall ascend from thy furnace, should he permit the fire to kindle upon us.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:17

Verse 17 And when they add — God is sufficiently powerful to preserve us; and if not, we are prepared for death, they point out to us what ought to raise our minds above all trials, namely, the preciousness of our life in God’s sight, since he can liberate us if he pleases. Since, therefore, we have sufficient protection in God, let us not think any method of preserving our life better than to throw ourselves entirely on his protection, and to cast all our cares upon him. And as to the second... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 3:1-30

EXPOSITION THE GOLDEN IMAGE , AND THE FIERY FURNACE . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 3:14-18

Principle illuminated by fire. "O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful," etc. ( Daniel 3:16-18 ). Sketch the leading features of this intensely interesting martyr-history; and then— I. RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLE . And here, that we may not move in mist, let us open out, step by step, what needs to be said. 1 . Principle. What is it .9 A principle is literally a first thing; a beginning; a cause. The spring on the mountain-side, whence the mighty river. The root of the tree. Newton's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 3:16-18

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. The Septuagint Version differs in several slight points from the Massoretic. "And Shadrach,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 3:16-18

The Church's triumvirate Nothing was further from these youths' thoughts than public notoriety, much less world-wide renown. They did but perform what seemed plain duty; and they asked no more than to be allowed to serve their God in quiet obscurity. When temptation spake through royal lips, they calmly said "No;" because loyalty to the King of kings had a previous and paramount claim. I. LOYALTY TO GOD RESISTS THE ENCROACHMENTS OF HUMAN AUTHORITY . " In this matter ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 3:17

If it be so - Chaldee, איתי הן hên 'ı̂ythay - “so it is.” That is, “this is true, that the God whom we serve can save us.” The idea is not, as would seem in our translation, “if we are to be cast into the furnace,” but the mind is turned on the fact that the God whom they served could save them. Coverdale renders this whole passage, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we ought not to consent unto thee in this matter, for why? our God whom we serve is able to keep us,” etc.Our God, whom we serve - Greek, “our... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 3:17-18

Daniel 3:17-18. If it be so If we are brought into this strait: if we must be thrown into the fiery furnace unless we serve thine image; our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, &c. As we are firmly persuaded of the power of our God to deliver us, so we trust in his mercy and goodness, that he will deliver us out of this imminent danger. This they spake out of a well-grounded hope, not from a certain foresight of being delivered; for such an assurance would have detracted much... read more

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