Daniel 3:14

Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, [Is it] true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} spake {H6032} and said {H560} unto them, Is it true {H6656}, O Shadrach {H7715}, Meshach {H4336}, and Abednego {H5665}, do not {H3809} ye {H383} serve {H6399} my gods {H426}, nor {H3809} worship {H5457} the golden {H1722} image {H6755} which I have set {H6966} up?

N'vukhadnetzar said to them, "Shadrakh! Meishakh! 'Aved-N'go! Is it true that you neither serve my gods nor worship the gold statue I set up?

and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden statue I have set up?

Nebuchadnezzar answered and said unto them, Is it of purpose, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, that ye serve not my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

In Daniel 3:14, King Nebuchadnezzar directly confronts Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, expressing a mixture of disbelief and indignation. This pivotal moment sets the stage for one of the Bible's most dramatic demonstrations of faith and divine intervention.

Context

This verse occurs after King Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful ruler of the Babylonian empire, has erected an enormous golden image on the plain of Dura. He issued a decree commanding all officials, satraps, governors, and other dignitaries to bow down and worship this idol whenever the royal music played. Failure to comply meant immediate execution by being cast into a blazing fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three faithful Jewish exiles who held prominent positions in Babylon, refused to compromise their commitment to God. This verse captures the king's personal interrogation, giving them a final opportunity to recant before their fate is sealed.

Key Themes

  • Defiance of Idolatry: The core issue is the three Hebrews' unwavering refusal to worship false gods, upholding the First and Second Commandments against idolatry.
  • Faith Under Pressure: This verse highlights the immense pressure faced by the three men to compromise their faith, demonstrating their profound trust in God even when facing a terrifying death sentence.
  • Religious Liberty: It serves as an early, powerful example of individuals standing firm for their religious convictions against state-imposed worship, emphasizing the supremacy of God's law over human decree.
  • Sovereignty of God: Implicit in their defiance is the belief that their God is the one true God, superior to any king or idol, and capable of delivering them.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "Is it true?" translates the Aramaic word hăṣədā’ (הֲצְדָא), which can convey surprise, incredulity, or even indignation. Nebuchadnezzar's question is not a neutral inquiry but carries an implied accusation and a demand for an explanation or confession. It suggests he is astonished that these respected officials, who had previously served him well, would dare to defy his explicit command, especially given the severe consequences. It also hints at a final, albeit menacing, opportunity for them to conform.

Practical Application

Daniel 3:14 remains highly relevant today. It challenges believers to consider:

  • Courage in Conviction: Are we willing to stand firm in our faith and biblical principles when faced with social pressure, professional consequences, or cultural expectations that contradict God's Word?
  • Identifying Modern Idols: While we may not worship golden statues, modern society often presents its own "idols" like wealth, power, popularity, or self-interest. This verse prompts us to examine what truly holds our allegiance.
  • Trust in God's Deliverance: Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who would soon declare their God's ability to deliver them (Daniel 3:17), we are called to trust in God's faithfulness, regardless of the outcome.
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.

  • Jeremiah 50:2

    Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, [and] conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.

  • Daniel 3:1

    ¶ Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height [was] threescore cubits, [and] the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

  • Isaiah 46:1

    ¶ Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages [were] heavy loaden; [they are] a burden to the weary [beast].

  • Daniel 4:8

    But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name [was] Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom [is] the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, [saying],

  • Exodus 21:13

    And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver [him] into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.

  • Exodus 21:14

    But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

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