Daniel 3:28

¶ [Then] Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed [be] the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

Then Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} spake {H6032}, and said {H560}, Blessed {H1289} be the God {H426} of Shadrach {H7715}, Meshach {H4336}, and Abednego {H5665}, who hath sent {H7972} his angel {H4398}, and delivered {H7804} his servants {H5649} that trusted {H7365} in him {H5922}, and have changed {H8133} the king's {H4430} word {H4406}, and yielded {H3052} their bodies {H1655}, that they might not {H3809} serve {H6399} nor {H3809} worship {H5457} any {H3606} god {H426}, except {H3861} their own God {H426}.

N'vukhadnetzar said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrakh, Meishakh and 'Aved-N'go! He sent his angel to deliver his servants who trusted in him. They defied the royal order to the point of being willing to give up their bodies, in order not to serve or worship any god but their own God.

Nebuchadnezzar declared, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Nebuchadnezzar spake and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

Commentary on Daniel 3:28 (KJV)

Daniel 3:28 records a pivotal moment in the book of Daniel, where King Nebuchadnezzar, a powerful pagan ruler, publicly acknowledges and blesses the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. This declaration comes immediately after the miraculous deliverance of the three Hebrew men from the fiery furnace, an event that profoundly impacted the king.

Context

This verse is the climax of an intense narrative found in Daniel chapter 3. King Nebuchadnezzar had erected a massive golden image and commanded everyone in his kingdom to worship it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, devout servants of the true God, refused to bow down, adhering strictly to the commandment against idolatry (Exodus 20:4-5). For their defiance, they were thrown into a superheated fiery furnace, stoked seven times hotter than usual. To Nebuchadnezzar's astonishment, they emerged unharmed, accompanied by a fourth figure "like the Son of God" (Daniel 3:25). This miraculous event led directly to the king's outburst of praise in verse 28.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: The verse highlights God's supernatural power to rescue His faithful servants from seemingly impossible situations. Nebuchadnezzar explicitly states that God "hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants."
  • Faithfulness and Trust: The king recognizes that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego "trusted in him" (God) and "yielded their bodies" rather than compromise their faith. Their unwavering commitment to God, even unto death, was the catalyst for this divine intervention. This exemplifies the principle of faith pleasing God.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Earthly Rulers: Nebuchadnezzar's declaration that the three men "have changed the king's word" underscores God's ultimate authority. Even the decree of the most powerful earthly king could not stand against the will and power of the Almighty. This is a powerful testimony to the sovereignty of God over all earthly powers.
  • Exclusive Worship: The core reason for their deliverance was their refusal "to serve nor worship any god, except their own God." This reaffirms the biblical emphasis on monotheism and the exclusive worship of the one true God.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "his angel" (Aramaic: mal'akeh) refers to a divine messenger sent by God. While some interpret the "fourth man" in Daniel 3:25 as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, Nebuchadnezzar here identifies the deliverer simply as God's angel. The emphasis is on the divine intervention, regardless of the specific nature of the heavenly being.

Practical Application

Daniel 3:28 remains a powerful reminder for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Power: Even when facing overwhelming challenges or persecution, we can trust that God is able to deliver us. Our faithfulness can prompt divine intervention.
  • Unwavering Faith: The example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego encourages us to remain steadfast in our convictions, even when it means personal sacrifice or defying cultural pressures.
  • God's Witness Through Us: Our faithfulness, especially in times of trial, can be a powerful testimony to those around us, even leading unbelievers to acknowledge God's power and goodness, just as Nebuchadnezzar did.

This verse celebrates not only God's miraculous power but also the profound impact of courageous faith on a watching world.

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.

  • Romans 14:7

    For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

  • Romans 14:8

    For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

  • Psalms 34:7

    The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

  • Psalms 34:8

    O taste and see that the LORD [is] good: blessed [is] the man [that] trusteth in him.

  • Psalms 84:11

    For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

  • Psalms 84:12

    O LORD of hosts, blessed [is] the man that trusteth in thee.

  • Exodus 20:5

    Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

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