Daniel 3:15

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; [well]: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who [is] that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Now {H3705} if {H2006} ye be {H383} ready {H6263} that at what time {H5732} ye hear {H8086} the sound {H7032} of the cornet {H7162}, flute {H4953}, harp {H7030}{H7030}, sackbut {H5443}, psaltery {H6460}, and dulcimer {H5481}, and all {H3606} kinds {H2178} of musick {H2170}, ye fall down {H5308} and worship {H5457} the image {H6755} which I have made {H5648}; well: but if {H2006} ye worship {H5457} not {H3809}, ye shall be cast {H7412} the same hour {H8160} into the midst {H1459} of a burning {H3345} fiery {H5135} furnace {H861}; and who {H4479} is that God {H426} that shall deliver {H7804} you out of {H4481} my hands {H3028}?

All right, then. If you are prepared, when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, zither, lute, bagpipe and the rest of the musical instruments, to fall down and worship the gold statue, very well. But if you won't worship, you will immediately be thrown into a blazing hot furnace - and what god will save you from my power then?"

Now, if you are ready, as soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the statue I have made. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?”

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Daniel 3:15 captures King Nebuchadnezzar's intense ultimatum to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, presenting them with a final choice: worship his golden image or face immediate death in the fiery furnace. This verse highlights the profound conflict between absolute human authority and unwavering faith in God.

Context

This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Daniel chapter 3. King Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of the powerful Babylonian Empire, had constructed an enormous golden idol on the plain of Dura and decreed that all his subjects must bow down and worship it whenever a specific orchestration of musical instruments played. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three Jewish exiles who held positions of authority, refused to comply, adhering to their covenant with God. This verse is Nebuchadnezzar's furious response to their reported disobedience, a direct challenge delivered with a mix of false magnanimity and overwhelming intimidation. It sets the stage for their famous act of courageous defiance.

Key Themes

  • The Conflict of Worship: The central theme is the clash between compulsory idol worship and exclusive devotion to the one true God. Nebuchadnezzar demands worship for a man-made image, while the three Hebrews uphold the First Commandment, which forbids having other gods before Him.
  • Human Arrogance vs. Divine Sovereignty: Nebuchadnezzar's arrogant question, "who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?", reveals his belief in his own ultimate power and his contempt for any deity superior to him. This sets up a dramatic test of God's ability to intervene against even the mightiest earthly ruler.
  • Faith Under Pressure: The verse vividly portrays the immense pressure faced by the three men. The threat is immediate, public, and deadly, forcing a clear choice between personal safety and faithfulness to God.
  • Consequences of Choice: Nebuchadnezzar clearly lays out the dire consequences of disobedience (the fiery furnace) and the implied "well" for compliance, underscoring the high stakes involved in their decision.

Linguistic Insights

The detailed enumeration of musical instruments—"cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer"—emphasizes the absolute and inescapable nature of the king's command. It wasn't a quiet request but a grand, orchestrated event designed to ensure universal compliance. The phrase "burning fiery furnace" is a stark and terrifying descriptor, leaving no doubt about the severity of the punishment. Nebuchadnezzar's rhetorical question, "who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?", is laden with hubris, directly challenging the power of the God of Israel.

Practical Application

Daniel 3:15 offers profound lessons for believers today. It challenges us to consider:

  • Standing Firm in Conviction: In a world that often demands conformity, this verse encourages unwavering commitment to biblical principles, even when facing significant social, professional, or personal pressure.
  • Trusting God's Deliverance: While we may not face a literal fiery furnace, we encounter various "furnaces" of trials and temptations. The narrative following this verse demonstrates God's ability to deliver, reminding us to place our trust in His sovereignty, as seen in Daniel 3:27.
  • Recognizing True Authority: Ultimately, this verse reminds us that there is a higher authority than any earthly king or government. Our ultimate allegiance belongs to God.
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.

  • Acts 5:29

    Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

  • Daniel 3:17

    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.

  • 2 Kings 18:35

    Who [are] they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?

  • 2 Chronicles 32:15

    Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?

  • 2 Chronicles 32:17

    He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of [other] lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.

  • Exodus 5:2

    And Pharaoh said, Who [is] the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

  • Acts 4:8

    Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

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