Daniel 3:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 3:1-7

We have no certainty concerning the date of this story, only that if this image, which Nebuchadnezzar dedicated, had any relation to that which he dreamed of, it is probable that it happened not long after that; some reckon it to be about the seventh year of Nebuchadnezzar, a year before Jehoiachin's captivity, in which Ezekiel was carried away. Observe, I. A golden image set up to be worshipped. Babylon was full of idols already, yet nothing will serve this imperious prince but they must have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:6

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth ,.... Who refuses to worship it, or wilfully neglects it; which would be interpreted a contempt of it, and of the king's command: shall in the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace ; such as were used to burn stones in for lime, as Jarchi observes: the music was to draw, the furnace was to drive, men to this idolatrous worship; the one was to please and sooth the minds of men, and so allure them to such stupid service; the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:6

Shall the same hour - This is the first place in the Old Testament where we find the division of time into hours. The Greeks say that Anaximander was the inventor. He had it probably from the Chaldeans, among whom this division was in use long before Anaximander was born. Be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace - This was an ancient mode of punishment among the Chaldeans, if we may credit the tradition that Abram was cast into such a fire by this idolatrous people because he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 3:6

Verse 6 Respecting the required adoration, nothing but outward observance was needed. King Nebuchadnezzar did not exact a verbal profession of belief in this deity, that is, in the divinity of the statue which he commanded to be worshipped; it was quite sufficient to offer to it merely outward worship. We here see how idolatry is deservedly condemned in those who pretend to worship idols, even if they mentally refrain and only act through fear and the compulsion of regal authority; that excuse... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 3:1-13

The ceaseless creation of gods. "Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image." "He set it up in the plain of Dura" ( Daniel 3:1 ). Questions respecting the image will be discussed in the Expository section. For homiletical purposes we distinguish here between three separate entities, all real enough in their own realm. 1 . The image , built up and appearing in due time amid the phenomena of this material world. 2 . The idea for which it stands, existing really enough in the mind of... 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 3:2-7

Attempted coercion in religion a failure. If, with his slender knowledge of God, Nebuchadnezzar supposed that the erection of this colossal statue would be pleasing to God, as a visible expression of the monarch's allegiance, or would serve to remind men of their religious obligation, so far the deed. would be in itself praiseworthy. But when he proceeded further to compel a rigid conformity to his mode of offering worship, he trenched upon the rights of Deity—he invaded the sacred territory... read more

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 3:6

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

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