Daniel 3:24

KJV

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, [and] spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {H116} Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} the king {H4430} was astonied {H8429}, and rose up {H6966} in haste {H927}, and spake {H6032}, and said {H560} unto his counsellors {H1907}, Did not {H3809} we cast {H7412} three {H8532} men {H1400} bound {H3729} into the midst {H1459} of the fire {H5135}? They answered {H6032} and said {H560} unto the king {H4430}, True {H3330}, O king {H4430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Suddenly N'vukhadnetzar sprang to his feet. Alarmed, he asked his advisers, "Didn't we throw three men, bound, into the flames?"They answered the king, "Yes, of course, your majesty."

Berean Standard Bible

Suddenly King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and asked his advisers, “Did we not throw three men, firmly bound, into the fire?” “Certainly, O king,” they replied.

American Standard Version

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste: he spake and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 3:24 captures the pivotal moment of King Nebuchadnezzar's profound astonishment as he witnesses an inexplicable sight within the fiery furnace, where he had commanded Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be cast. His immediate, bewildered inquiry to his counselors—confirming the number of men thrown into the fire—underscores the miraculous nature of what he perceives, setting the stage for the dramatic revelation of divine intervention and the subsequent transformation of his understanding of God's power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the climax of Nebuchadnezzar's wrath, where he commanded the furnace to be heated "seven times more than it was wont to be heated" ([Daniel 3:19](/daniel/3-19 "Daniel 3:19 - The Furnace Heated Seven Times Hotter")). The intensity of the fire was so extreme that it instantly killed the mighty men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into its depths ([Daniel 3:22](/daniel/3-22 "Daniel 3:22 - The Executioners Killed by the Fire")). The narrative builds suspense by emphasizing the absolute certainty of the three men's demise, only to dramatically reverse expectations with the king's sudden, shocked reaction in Daniel 3:24. This moment pivots the narrative from human power and decree to divine power and deliverance, leading directly into the king's observation of a fourth figure in the flames in [Daniel 3:25](/daniel/3-25 "Daniel 3:25 - The Fourth Man in the Furnace").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Babylon during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BC), a period marked by imperial expansion and the forced exile of the Jewish people. Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful and absolute monarch, whose word was law, and disobedience was met with swift, severe punishment, as demonstrated by his decree regarding the golden image ([Daniel 3:1-7](/daniel/3 "Daniel 3 - The Golden Image and Fiery Furnace")). The fiery furnace was a known method of execution in ancient Mesopotamia, often associated with divine judgment or the king's absolute authority. The king's counselors, often referred to as "satraps, administrators, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials" in [Daniel 3:2](/daniel/3-2 "Daniel 3:2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Officials Gathered"), were present to witness the execution and were expected to affirm the king's actions and observations, even if they were bewildered. Their simple affirmation, "True, O king," highlights the undeniable reality of the situation from their perspective.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 3:24 is a crucial moment that underscores several overarching themes in the book of Daniel. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty and Deliverance**, showcasing God's ability to intervene miraculously on behalf of His faithful servants, even in the face of certain death. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Faithfulness Under Persecution**, as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's unwavering commitment to God, even unto the fiery furnace, is vindicated. Their refusal to compromise their faith, as articulated in [Daniel 3:17-18](/daniel/3-17 "Daniel 3:17-18 - The Faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego"), directly leads to this divine demonstration. Thirdly, this verse initiates Nebuchadnezzar's **Confrontation with the True God**, marking a significant step in his journey from a proud pagan monarch to one who would eventually acknowledge the Most High God, as seen in [Daniel 4](/daniel/4 "Daniel 4 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Humiliation"). The king's astonishment is the first crack in his self-assured worldview, preparing him to witness God's unmatched power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **astonied (Aramaic, _tᵉvahh'_):** This Aramaic word (H8429) conveys a sense of being utterly amazed, bewildered, or taking alarm. It suggests a profound shock that disrupts one's normal understanding, indicating that what Nebuchadnezzar saw defied all natural explanation and filled him with a sudden, overwhelming sense of wonder and disbelief.
* **haste (Aramaic, _bᵉhal'_):** The Aramaic term (H927) means to terrify or hasten. In this context, Nebuchadnezzar "rose up in haste," indicating an immediate, urgent, and perhaps even agitated reaction. His swift movement underscores the sudden and profound impact of the sight upon him, prompting an instant inquiry rather than a calm observation.
* **True (Aramaic, _yatstsîyb'_):** This word (H3330) signifies something fixed, sure, or certain. When the counselors respond, "True, O king," they are affirming the undeniable reality of the king's premise: they did indeed cast three men, bound, into the fire. Their agreement confirms the objective facts of the situation, making the king's observation of more than three men, or unbound men, all the more miraculous and perplexing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste":** This opening clause sets the scene with the king's immediate, visceral reaction. "Astonied" (H8429, _tᵉvahh'_) speaks to a profound, almost fearful, amazement, suggesting that what he saw was completely outside the realm of his experience and expectation. His rising "in haste" (H927, _bᵉhal'_) signifies an urgent, involuntary movement, driven by the shock and bewilderment of the moment. This is not a calm, considered observation but a sudden, agitated response to an utterly confounding sight.
* **"[and] spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?":** Overwhelmed, the king immediately turns to his trusted advisors, seeking confirmation of the undeniable facts of the situation. His question is rhetorical, designed to elicit agreement on what everyone present had witnessed: the casting of "three men bound" (H3729, _kᵉphath'_ for "bound"; H1400, _gᵉbar'_ for "men") into the "midst of the fire" (H1459, _gav'_ for "midst"; H5135, _nûwr'_ for "fire"). The emphasis on "bound" is crucial, as it highlights the expected immobility and certain death of the victims, making the subsequent sight of free-moving figures all the more miraculous.
* **"They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.":** The counselors' response is succinct and unequivocal. "True" (H3330, _yatstsîyb'_) confirms the king's premise with absolute certainty. They affirm the undeniable reality of what transpired, reinforcing the factual basis from which the miracle unfolds. This simple affirmation underscores the magnitude of the king's subsequent observation, as it confirms that the king's initial memory and the shared reality of the event are correct, making the deviation from that reality all the more astonishing.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent **Literary Devices** to heighten the drama and emphasize the miraculous. **Dramatic Irony** is present, as the king and his counselors believe they have successfully executed the three men, while the reader anticipates divine intervention. Nebuchadnezzar's question, "Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?", serves as a form of **Rhetorical Question**, not seeking new information but confirming a shared, undeniable reality, which then sets up the shocking revelation that immediately follows. The king's "astonishment" and rising "in haste" are vivid examples of **Hyperbole** and **Action-Oriented Imagery**, conveying the extreme nature of his shock and the immediate, involuntary physical reaction to the impossible sight. The stark contrast between the expected outcome (three dead, bound men) and the observed reality (more than three, unbound, alive men) creates powerful **Antithesis**, underscoring the supernatural nature of God's deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 3:24 serves as a powerful testament to God's active presence and protective power over His faithful servants. It demonstrates that even in the face of the most extreme human opposition and seemingly insurmountable odds, God is able to intervene miraculously. The king's astonishment is a direct result of witnessing a reality that defies all natural laws, forcing him to confront a power greater than his own. This event foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over all earthly powers and highlights the principle that faithfulness to God, even unto death, will be vindicated by divine intervention or eternal reward. It is a foundational narrative for understanding God's commitment to His covenant people and His willingness to reveal His glory through their steadfast obedience.

* [Isaiah 43:2](/isaiah/43-2 "Isaiah 43:2 - God's Presence in Fire and Water")
* [Psalm 34:7](/psalms/34-7 "Psalm 34:7 - The Angel of the Lord Encamps")
* [Hebrews 11:34](/hebrews/11-34 "Hebrews 11:34 - Quenched the Violence of Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 3:24 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our God is not confined by human limitations or natural laws. When we face our own "fiery furnaces"—whether they be intense persecution, overwhelming trials, or seemingly impossible circumstances—this passage assures us of God's sovereign presence and power. Our faithfulness, even when it demands great sacrifice or defies worldly logic, opens the door for God to display His glory in ways that astonish not only us but also those who oppose us or do not yet know Him. This verse challenges us to consider if our faith is truly steadfast enough to withstand the heat, trusting that even if God does not deliver us *from* the fire, He will certainly be *with* us *in* the fire, and He can use our steadfastness to bring others to a recognition of His truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "fiery furnaces" are you currently facing, and how does Nebuchadnezzar's astonishment encourage your faith in God's presence?**
* **In what ways might your unwavering faithfulness in difficult circumstances lead others to question their own assumptions about God?**
* **How does the king's immediate reaction of "astonishment" inform your understanding of God's power to surprise and transform even the most hardened hearts?**

### FAQ
**What was Nebuchadnezzar astonished by?**

Answer: Nebuchadnezzar was astonished because, after personally commanding that three men be cast, bound, into a superheated furnace, he looked in and saw not three, but four men, walking unbound and unharmed in the midst of the flames. This sight defied all natural explanation and was contrary to everything he had ordered and expected, prompting his bewildered question to his counselors. The subsequent verse, [Daniel 3:25](/daniel/3-25 "Daniel 3:25 - The Fourth Man in the Furnace"), reveals that the fourth figure appeared "like the Son of God," explaining the miraculous nature of the event.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Daniel 3:24 directly describes Nebuchadnezzar's astonishment at a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son of God or an angel of the Lord, it profoundly foreshadows the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment of divine presence and deliverance. The miraculous preservation of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire points to Jesus Christ as the one who truly enters into the depths of human suffering and delivers His people from the power of sin and death. Just as the fourth man walked with the faithful in the furnace, so Christ, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), fully identified with humanity, enduring the ultimate fiery trial of God's wrath on the cross, yet emerging victorious over death and the grave ([Romans 6:9](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). His resurrection is the ultimate "astonishment" for a world bound by sin, demonstrating God's power to bring life out of death. Believers are promised that Christ is with them through all trials, even "through the valley of the shadow of death" ([Psalm 23:4](/psalms/23-4 "Psalm 23:4 - The Shepherd's Presence")), ensuring that no fire, no matter how intense, can separate them from His love ([Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38 "Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love")). The king's dawning recognition of a divine being in the furnace anticipates the universal confession that "every knee should bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/phil/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

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.

Cross-References

Daniel 6:7

All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

Daniel 6:22

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

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.

Daniel 4:22

It [is] thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

1 Samuel 17:55

And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son [is] this youth? And Abner said, [As] thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.

Acts 12:13

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

Acts 26:13

At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.