Daniel 3:2

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Then Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} the king {H4430} sent {H7972} to gather together {H3673} the princes {H324}, the governors {H5460}, and the captains {H6347}, the judges {H148}, the treasurers {H1411}, the counsellors {H1884}, the sheriffs {H8614}, and all {H3606} the rulers {H7984} of the provinces {H4083}, to come {H858} to the dedication {H2597} of the image {H6755} which Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} the king {H4430} had set up {H6966}.

Then N'vukhadnetzar the king summoned the viceroys, prefects, governors, judges, treasurers, counselors, sheriffs and all the provincial officials to assemble and come to the dedication of the statue which N'vukhadnetzar the king had set up.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other officials of the provinces to attend the dedication of the statue he had set up.

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Daniel 3:2 serves as the critical setup for the dramatic events that unfold in the third chapter of Daniel, detailing King Nebuchadnezzar's grand assembly.

Context of Daniel 3:2

Following his dream and its interpretation (as recorded in Daniel chapter 2), King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon erected an enormous golden image in the plain of Dura, as described in Daniel 3:1. This verse, Daniel 3:2, describes the king's next step: summoning all the high-ranking officials from across his vast empire. This was not merely a ceremonial gathering but a mandatory assembly intended to enforce a religious and political decree. The extensive list of titles—princes, governors, captains, judges, treasurers, counsellors, sheriffs, and all rulers of the provinces—underscores the comprehensive nature of the command, reaching every corner of the Babylonian administration.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Absolute Monarchical Authority: The verse vividly portrays Nebuchadnezzar's supreme power. He commands the presence of every significant official, demonstrating his unquestioned authority over both political and religious affairs within his empire.
  • Forced Idolatry and Conformity: The primary purpose of this grand assembly was the "dedication of the image." This was a state-mandated act of worship, designed to unify the diverse elements of the empire under the king's chosen deity and, by extension, his rule. It set the stage for a direct challenge to the monotheistic faith of the Jewish exiles, particularly Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
  • Vastness of the Babylonian Empire: The sheer number and variety of officials summoned highlight the extensive reach and organized structure of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which was at its peak during Nebuchadnezzar's reign.

Linguistic Insights

The detailed enumeration of officials in this verse (princes, governors, captains, judges, treasurers, counsellors, sheriffs, and rulers of the provinces) is significant. It emphasizes the universal scope of the royal decree, ensuring that no influential leader or administrator could claim ignorance or exemption from the king's command. This comprehensive list prepares the reader for the widespread compliance that follows, making the subsequent defiance of Daniel's friends even more stark.

Practical Application

While we may not face literal golden images today, Daniel 3:2 speaks to the pressures of conformity and the challenges of standing firm in one's convictions. The detailed summons of officials from all levels of society illustrates how powerful institutions can exert influence to compel adherence to their values, even if those values conflict with personal faith or principles. This verse reminds us of the importance of discerning when to conform and when to respectfully resist, echoing the later example of faithfulness in the face of immense pressure, as demonstrated by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

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 3:27

    And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

  • Exodus 32:4

    And he received [them] at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

  • Exodus 32:6

    And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

  • Daniel 6:1

    ¶ It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

  • Daniel 6:4

    Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he [was] faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

  • Numbers 25:2

    And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.

  • Judges 16:23

    Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.

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