Daniel 3:21

KJV

Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their [other] garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {H116} these {H479} men {H1400} were bound {H3729} in their coats {H5622}, their hosen {H6361}{H6361}, and their hats {H3737}, and their other garments {H3831}, and were cast {H7412} into the midst {H1459} of the burning {H3345} fiery {H5135} furnace {H861}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So these men were tied up in their cloaks, tunics, robes and other clothes, and thrown into the blazing hot furnace.

Berean Standard Bible

So they were tied up, wearing robes, trousers, turbans, and other clothes, and they were thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.

American Standard Version

Then these men were bound in their hosen, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 3:21 powerfully illustrates the immediate and severe consequence of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's unwavering fidelity to God. As a direct result of their courageous refusal to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden idol, these three faithful men were summarily bound, still fully clothed in their official attire, and forcibly cast into the superheated fiery furnace, thereby setting the stage for one of the most dramatic and profound demonstrations of divine protection and sovereignty in the biblical narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the climactic moment of the escalating confrontation in [Daniel 3](/daniel/3 "Daniel 3 - The Fiery Furnace"). Earlier in the chapter, King Nebuchadnezzar had commanded universal worship of his colossal golden image, with the penalty for disobedience being immediate immolation in a fiery furnace, as detailed in [Daniel 3:1-7](/daniel/3-1-7 "Daniel 3:1-7 - Nebuchadnezzar's Golden Idol and Decree"). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, identified as devout Jewish exiles, were subsequently accused of defiance by jealous Chaldeans, a charge brought directly to the king in [Daniel 3:8-12](/daniel/3-8-12 "Daniel 3:8-12 - The Accusation Against the Three Hebrews"). Faced with Nebuchadnezzar's furious interrogation and a final opportunity to recant, they boldly declared their God's ability to deliver them, and even if He chose not to, their unwavering refusal to serve his gods or worship his idol, as recorded in [Daniel 3:13-18](/daniel/3-13-18 "Daniel 3:13-18 - The Three Hebrews' Defiant Reply"). The king's rage then intensified to an unprecedented degree, leading him to command that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual, a command executed by his mightiest soldiers in [Daniel 3:19-20](/daniel/3-19-20 "Daniel 3:19-20 - Nebuchadnezzar's Fury and Furnace Command"). Thus, Daniel 3:21 describes the direct and brutal fulfillment of this decree, immediately preceding the miraculous divine intervention that would astound the king and glorify God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Daniel 3:21 is the powerful Neo-Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BC). This era was characterized by imperial expansion, monumental construction, and the consolidation of political and religious authority. The erection of a massive golden idol, likely in the plain of Dura, was a common practice among ancient Near Eastern rulers who often used grand public works and mandatory religious observances to enforce loyalty, project their divine favor, and integrate conquered peoples into their empire. The "burning fiery furnace" (Hebrew: `אֲתּוּן`, _ʼattûn_), likely a large brick kiln or a similar industrial oven used for baking or smelting, was a recognized and terrifying form of capital punishment in Mesopotamia, designed to be inescapable and to serve as a stark warning. The specific mention of their garments—coats, hosen, and hats—provides a vivid cultural detail. These were likely distinctive items of Babylonian official attire, possibly Persian-influenced robes and turbans, indicating their high administrative status even in their condemnation. Their being cast in full attire underscores the swiftness of the punishment and the totality of the king's wrath, while also setting the stage for the later miraculous detail that their clothes were untouched by the flames, a powerful testament to divine power found in [Daniel 3:27](/daniel/3-27 "Daniel 3:27 - The Untouched Garments").
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 3:21 is a pivotal moment that profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the **Sovereignty of God** over all earthly powers, including the mightiest empires and their rulers. The seemingly insurmountable odds faced by the three Hebrews highlight that God's power transcends human limitations and natural laws. Secondly, the verse vividly portrays the theme of **Faithfulness Amidst Persecution**, showcasing the unyielding commitment of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to their God, even when confronted with certain death. Their refusal to compromise their convictions in the face of such a dire threat serves as a profound example of **Costly Discipleship** and unwavering integrity. Thirdly, the intense tension created by their imminent execution foreshadows the theme of **Divine Deliverance**. This dramatic moment builds anticipation for God's miraculous intervention, which will not only save the men but also bring immense glory to His name and humble the proud King Nebuchadnezzar, as seen later in [Daniel 3:28-30](/daniel/3-28-30 "Daniel 3:28-30 - Nebuchadnezzar Praises God"). This episode also speaks to the broader biblical theme of the **Conflict Between God's Kingdom and Earthly Powers**, where the seemingly invincible power of an empire is ultimately shown to be subordinate to the will of the Almighty, reinforcing the truth that God's people are called to obey Him rather than men, as articulated in [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Obeying God Rather Than Men").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bound (Aramaic, _kᵉphath'_):** From H3729, meaning "to fetter" or "bind." This word emphasizes the complete physical incapacitation of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It signifies their utter helplessness in a physical sense, highlighting the absolute control their captors exerted over them. They were not willingly entering the furnace but were forcibly restrained, underscoring the violence and coercion of their punishment.
* **hats (Aramaic, _karbᵉlâʼ'_):** From H3737, referring to a "mantle" or "hat." This specific detail, alongside "coats" and "hosen," indicates that the men were cast into the furnace fully dressed in their official Babylonian attire, likely including a turban or a distinctive head covering of their administrative rank. The inclusion of this seemingly minor detail is crucial, as their later miraculous survival and the untouched state of these very garments serve as extraordinary evidence of God's supernatural power.
* **burning (Aramaic, _yᵉqad'_):** From H3345, meaning "to burn." This participle describes the active, intense state of the furnace. It vividly conveys the extreme heat and destructive power of the environment into which the men were thrown. This word emphasizes the immediate and lethal threat they faced, underscoring the extremity of their punishment and the human impossibility of survival, thereby magnifying the miracle that follows.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their [other] garments":** This initial clause meticulously details the preparation of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for their execution. The mention of their full attire—coats (likely outer cloaks or tunics), hosen (trousers or undergarments), and hats (turbans or head coverings specific to their official status)—is highly significant. It conveys the swiftness and brutality of the king's command, as they were bound without being stripped or given any special preparation, reflecting Nebuchadnezzar's furious haste. Crucially, this detail sets the stage for the profound miracle to follow, where these very garments would remain utterly untouched by the flames, serving as irrefutable evidence of God's supernatural preservation.
* **"and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace":** This clause describes the decisive and final action of their captors. The phrase "cast into the midst" emphasizes the complete immersion of the men into the very heart of the inferno, leaving no ambiguity about the intended outcome—certain and agonizing death. The repeated and emphatic descriptors, "burning fiery furnace," underscore the extreme, destructive power of the environment, which had been heated "seven times hotter" than usual. This act represents the ultimate test of their faith, the pinnacle of the king's wrath, and the moment where human power reached its limit, paving the way for divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 3:21 is rich with powerful literary devices that heighten its dramatic impact and theological significance. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid and terrifying picture of the three men, fully clothed and bound, being violently thrown into the "burning fiery furnace." This sensory detail powerfully evokes the intense heat, the suffocating smoke, and the horrific nature of their impending doom, thereby intensifying the narrative's drama. The meticulous mention of specific articles of clothing (coats, hosen, hats) adds to the realism and specificity of the portrayal, making the scene more immediate and visceral. Furthermore, a strong sense of **Foreshadowing** is present; by emphasizing the totality of their binding and the extreme, humanly unsurvivable heat of the furnace, the narrative masterfully builds immense tension and anticipation. This seemingly inescapable situation underscores the sheer magnitude of God's power that is about to be revealed, setting the stage for the miraculous divine intervention. Additionally, there is a subtle but significant layer of **Symbolism** in the garments themselves; their being cast into the furnace in their official attire symbolizes their enduring identity and status, even in the face of degradation and death. Their later preservation, with not even the smell of smoke on their clothes, becomes a potent symbol of God's complete and comprehensive protection, extending even to the seemingly insignificant details of their existence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 3:21 stands as a profound testament to the unwavering commitment demanded of those who choose to live by faith, particularly when confronted with the most dire consequences. It powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that genuine, uncompromised faith often leads to direct confrontation with worldly powers and their demands for conformity and idolatry. The extraordinary willingness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to face a horrific, certain death rather than compromise their allegiance to the one true God demonstrates a radical trust in divine sovereignty and a profound understanding that true life and ultimate deliverance are found only in absolute obedience to God, irrespective of immediate earthly outcomes. This courageous act of defiance in the face of tyranny resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative of God's people standing firm against idolatry, oppression, and ungodly decrees, trusting either in His miraculous deliverance or in His sustaining grace through suffering.
* [Hebrews 11:34](/hebrews/11-34 "Hebrews 11:34 - Quenched the violence of fire")
* [1 Peter 4:12-13](/1_peter/4-12-13 "1 Peter 4:12-13 - Suffering for Christ's Sake")
* [Romans 8:35-39](/romans/8-35-39 "Romans 8:35-39 - God's Unfailing Love and Perseverance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 3:21 serves as a stark and challenging reminder that faithfulness to God may, at times, lead us into circumstances that appear humanly impossible to survive or overcome. The vivid image of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being bound and cast into the superheated furnace compels us to deeply examine the strength and depth of our own convictions. Are we truly willing to stand firm for truth, righteousness, and our faith in Christ when it demands a significant personal cost, perhaps risking our comfort, reputation, livelihood, or even our physical safety? This verse challenges us to critically assess where our ultimate allegiance truly lies—with the fleeting demands and pressures of the world, or with the eternal truth and unshakeable authority of God's Word. It profoundly encourages us to cultivate a robust and resilient faith that trusts implicitly in God's power to deliver, even when the "furnace" of our trials is heated seven times hotter. We are reminded that God's abiding presence with us in the trial is often more significant and transformative than the severity of the trial itself. Our application of this passage extends beyond dramatic persecution to the daily, quiet choices we make to prioritize God's will over societal expectations, personal gain, or the fear of man, demonstrating a consistent, costly discipleship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "furnaces" or intense pressures do I currently face in my life that tempt me to compromise my faith or core convictions?**
* **How does the unwavering faith and resolve of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego challenge my own willingness to stand courageously for God's truth?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I be "bound" by fear, worldly approval, or personal comfort, preventing me from fully trusting God in difficult or uncertain situations?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the profound nature of true obedience to God and its potential, yet eternally rewarding, cost?**

### FAQ
**Why is the detail about their garments being mentioned so important in this narrative?**

Answer: The specific mention of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being bound in their coats, hosen, and hats is crucial for several profound reasons. First, it underscores the king's extreme fury and haste; the men were thrown into the furnace immediately, without any time for preparation or removal of their attire, emphasizing the swift and brutal nature of the punishment. Second, it highlights their status as high-ranking officials in Babylon, making their defiance even more significant and their punishment a public spectacle. Most importantly, this meticulous detail sets up the later, astonishing miracle described in [Daniel 3:27](/daniel/3-27 "Daniel 3:27 - The Untouched Garments"). There, it is explicitly stated that not only were the men unharmed, but "nor was the smell of fire on their garments." This seemingly minor detail becomes a powerful, undeniable piece of evidence for the supernatural nature of God's intervention. It demonstrates that the fire, despite its immense heat, had no power whatsoever over them or anything associated with them, including their clothing. This detail underscores the completeness and totality of God's miraculous protection, leaving no room for human explanation or doubt regarding the divine hand at work.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic and perilous scene in Daniel 3:21, where the three faithful men are bound and cast into the intensely burning fiery furnace, serves as a profound and multi-layered foreshadowing of the ultimate suffering, triumph, and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were condemned to a seemingly inescapable death for their unwavering allegiance to God, so too was Christ "cast" into the depths of human suffering and death, bearing the full, consuming weight of sin and divine wrath, not for His own transgression but as the spotless Lamb of God for the sins of humanity ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant")). His descent into the grave, the ultimate "furnace" of death and separation from God, was a moment of profound vulnerability and cosmic battle, yet it was precisely through this voluntary submission that He utterly conquered death, sin, and the powers of darkness ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). The miraculous preservation of the three Hebrews from the consuming flames powerfully points to Christ's glorious resurrection, His ultimate victory over death's dominion, proving conclusively that even the grave could not hold Him captive ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up")). Furthermore, the mysterious presence of the "fourth man" in the furnace, described as "like the Son of God" ([Daniel 3:25](/daniel/3-25 "Daniel 3:25 - The Fourth Man in the Furnace")), is widely understood as a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ, assuring us that He is not merely a distant observer but is intimately present with His people in their deepest trials, offering not only deliverance *from* suffering but also sustaining presence *in* suffering. Thus, Daniel 3:21, though a moment of extreme peril for the three men, ultimately magnifies the unparalleled power of God to save, a power fully realized and eternally demonstrated in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who delivers us from the ultimate fires of judgment and graciously grants us eternal life through faith in His name ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.