Daniel 3:24

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.

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}.

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."

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.

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.

Daniel 3:24 captures the dramatic moment King Nebuchadnezzar witnesses an astonishing sight within the fiery furnace, a pivotal point in the narrative of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Context

This verse immediately follows the execution of Nebuchadnezzar's decree to cast the three faithful Jewish exiles—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—into a superheated furnace. Their refusal to bow down and worship the golden image erected by the king (as detailed in Daniel 3:19) led to this extreme punishment. The furnace was so intensely hot that the soldiers who threw them in were killed by the flames. The king, expecting to see three dead men, instead sees something utterly unexpected.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention: Nebuchadnezzar's shock underscores the supernatural nature of what he observes. God's direct involvement is evident, protecting His servants in an impossible situation.
  • God's Unfailing Deliverance: The king's question "Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" highlights the miracle that is about to unfold. It sets the stage for the revelation of God's power to save completely.
  • Nebuchadnezzar's Confrontation with Truth: This moment marks the beginning of the pagan king's reluctant acknowledgment of the true God of Israel, a significant step in his spiritual journey.
  • Faithfulness Rewarded: The unwavering faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, even unto death, is vindicated by God's miraculous presence and preservation.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "was astonied" translates the Aramaic word təmah (תְמַהּ), which means to be utterly amazed, wonder, or be astonished. It conveys a profound sense of shock and disbelief, indicating that what Nebuchadnezzar saw defied all natural explanation. His reaction ("rose up in haste") further emphasizes the sudden, overwhelming impact of the sight upon him, prompting an immediate and urgent inquiry.

Related Scriptures

The subsequent verses, particularly Daniel 3:25, reveal the cause of the king's astonishment: the presence of a fourth figure, who looked "like the Son of God." This miraculous deliverance serves as a powerful testament to God's presence with His people in times of intense trial, echoing promises found elsewhere in scripture, such as when God assures His people, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."

Practical Application

Daniel 3:24 reminds us that God is actively involved in the lives of His faithful followers. Even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges or "fiery trials," we can trust in God's presence and His power to deliver or sustain us. Our steadfastness in faith, even under pressure, can lead those around us, even those hostile to God, to witness His power and perhaps even acknowledge His sovereignty.

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 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.

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