Daniel 3:6-26

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

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Daniel 3:19-27

In these verses we have, I. The casting of these three faithful servants of God into the fiery furnace. Nebuchadnezzar had himself known and owned so much of the true God that, one would have thought, though his pride and vanity induced him to make this golden image, and set it up to be worshipped, yet what these young men now said (whom he had formerly found to be wiser than all his wise men) would revive his convictions, and at least engage him to excuse them; but it proved quite otherwise.... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:7

Therefore at that time ,.... Such a severe edict being published, threatening with so terrible a punishment: when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music ; not only at Babylon, and that lived near the plain of Dura, but in all places where it was played: all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up ; what through love of music, the fear of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:8

Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near ,.... That is, to King Nebuchadnezzar, either in his palace at Babylon, or more likely in the plain of Dura: and accused the Jews ; particularly Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, as after mentioned, of not obeying the king's command, to worship the golden image: these Chaldeans at the time of adoration had their eyes upon the Jews, particularly those three men, to observe how they would behave; and as they stood up while the others fell... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:9

They spake and said to Nebuchadnezzar ,.... Having got access unto him, and within his hearing, they expressed themselves in the following manner: O king, live for ever ; this they said to show their fidelity and hearty attachment to him, and their regard to his welfare, and the continuance of his life; and the rather to ingratiate themselves into his affections, and gain audience of him; See Gill on Daniel 2:4 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:10

Thou, O king, hast made a decree ,.... According to his own mind and will, and which he had published as such to his subjects: that every man ; let him be who he will, high or low, rich or poor, in whatsoever station or condition: that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music ; such as had been just then blown or played on: shall fall down and worship the golden image ; which the king had ordered to be made and set... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:11

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth ,.... The image; the above is the decree, this that follows the sanction of it: that he should be cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace ; See Gill on Daniel 3:6 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Daniel 3:12

There are certain Jews ,.... Men, by birth, by nation, and religion, despicable, foreigners, exiles, and captives; this they observe by way of contempt, and tacitly suggest that they were never worthy of the king's regard, and improper persons to be put in places of profit and trust, and that the king had done a wrong thing in advancing them: whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon ; not to see that the streets, ways, and walls, were kept in order, as Saadiah... read more

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