Daniel 3:10

Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:

Thou {H607}, O king {H4430}, hast made {H7761} a decree {H2942}, that every {H3606} man {H606} that shall hear {H8086} the sound {H7032} of the cornet {H7162}, flute {H4953}, harp {H7030}{H7030}, sackbut {H5443}, psaltery {H6460}, and dulcimer {H5481}{H5481}, and all {H3606} kinds {H2178} of musick {H2170}, shall fall down {H5308} and worship {H5457} the golden {H1722} image {H6755}:

Your majesty, you have ordered that everyone who hears sound of the horn, pipe, harp, zither, lute, bagpipe and the rest of the musical instruments is to fall down and worship the gold statue;

You, O king, have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the golden statue,

Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image;

Daniel 3:10 KJV describes King Nebuchadnezzar's absolute decree concerning the worship of his golden image, setting the stage for one of the Bible's most dramatic acts of faithfulness.

Context

This verse is central to the narrative in Daniel chapter 3. King Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful ruler of the Babylonian Empire, had erected an enormous golden statue on the plain of Dura. This decree was a universal command, extending to all officials, satraps, governors, and subjects within his vast kingdom. The king's intent was to consolidate his power and demand absolute religious and political allegiance, forcing everyone to acknowledge his authority through an act of public worship. The specific mention of musical instruments indicates a highly orchestrated and ceremonial event designed to leave no room for doubt or evasion regarding the command to bow down and worship the golden image.

Key Themes

  • Imperial Authority and Control: Nebuchadnezzar's decree highlights his immense power and desire for unquestioning obedience from all his subjects. It demonstrates a totalitarian demand for conformity.
  • Idolatry and False Worship: The core issue is the command to worship a man-made idol, a direct affront to the God of Israel and a violation of the first two commandments given to Moses, which prohibit having other gods and making graven images for worship.
  • The Role of Music: The detailed list of instruments signifies that music was not merely entertainment but a crucial element in the ceremony, acting as a precise signal for the mandatory act of worship. It created an atmosphere of solemnity and enforced the timing of the required prostration.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV lists six specific musical instruments: cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer. These terms are English translations of Aramaic words (the language of Daniel 2:4-7:28). While the exact modern equivalents for all these ancient instruments are debated by scholars, the comprehensive list emphasizes that the command to worship was triggered by a full and unmistakable orchestral sound. The word "dulcimer" (Aramaic, symphonia) likely referred to a specific type of stringed instrument, possibly a bagpipe or a stringed instrument played with mallets, rather than the modern dulcimer. The inclusion of "all kinds of musick" further underscores the pervasive and inescapable nature of the signal.

Practical Application

Daniel 3:10 serves as a powerful reminder of the pressures believers may face to conform to societal or governmental demands that conflict with their faith in God. Just as Nebuchadnezzar's subjects were coerced into idolatry, modern believers can encounter situations where they are pressured to compromise their convictions, whether through cultural norms, political ideologies, or professional expectations. The verse sets the stage for the courageous stand of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who chose obedience to God over obedience to the king, even when faced with the threat of death. This narrative encourages believers to examine what they truly worship and to remain steadfast in their devotion to God alone, even when it means standing against the prevailing tide.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 6:12

    Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask [a petition] of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing [is] true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

  • Esther 3:12

    Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that [were] over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and [to] every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

  • Esther 3:14

    The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

  • Daniel 3:4

    Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,

  • Daniel 3:7

    Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down [and] worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

  • Exodus 32:18

    And he said, [It is] not the voice of [them that] shout for mastery, neither [is it] the voice of [them that] cry for being overcome: [but] the noise of [them that] sing do I hear.

  • Exodus 32:19

    And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

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