Daniel 3:29

Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

Therefore I {H4481} make {H7761} a decree {H2942}, That every {H3606} people {H5972}, nation {H524}, and language {H3961}, which speak {H560} any thing amiss {H7960}{H7955} against {H5922} the God {H426} of Shadrach {H7715}, Meshach {H4336}, and Abednego {H5665}, shall be cut {H5648} in pieces {H1917}, and their houses {H1005} shall be made {H7739} a dunghill {H5122}: because {H6903}{H3606} there is {H383} no {H3809} other {H321} God {H426} that can {H3202} deliver {H5338} after this {H1836} sort.

Therefore I herewith decree that anyone, no matter from which people, nation or language, who says anything to insult the God of Shadrakh, Meishakh and 'Aved-N'go is to be torn limb from limb, and his house is to be reduced to rubble; because there is no other god who can save like this."

Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be cut into pieces and their houses reduced to rubble. For there is no other god who can deliver in this way.”

Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation, and language, which speak anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill; because there is no other god that is able to deliver after this sort.

Context

King Nebuchadnezzar's decree in Daniel 3:29 comes immediately after the dramatic and miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. These three Jewish exiles, servants of the living God, had defiantly refused to bow down and worship the massive golden idol erected by the king, choosing instead to remain faithful to their God, even unto death. The enraged King Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into a superheated furnace, yet they emerged unharmed, accompanied by a mysterious "fourth man" whom the king described as "like the Son of God" (Daniel 3:25). Witnessing this undeniable divine intervention, the powerful pagan ruler of the Babylonian Empire was utterly astonished and compelled to acknowledge the supreme power of the God of Israel. This verse records his profound change of heart and his new, severe decree against any who would speak ill of this mighty God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Deliverance and Sovereignty: The core message is God's unparalleled power to deliver His faithful servants from impossible situations. Nebuchadnezzar's decree is a direct consequence of this overwhelming demonstration of divine power, forcing even a mighty pagan king to recognize the God of Israel as supreme over all other deities and earthly powers.
  • Uniqueness of God: The king explicitly states, "there is no other God that can deliver after this sort." This profound statement highlights the absolute uniqueness and supremacy of the God of Israel compared to all other gods worshipped in Babylon. It's a powerful declaration of monotheism from an unexpected source.
  • Consequences of Blasphemy: The decree prescribes incredibly severe penalties—being "cut in pieces" and having "houses made a dunghill"—for anyone speaking "amiss" against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. This reflects the king's awe and fear, demonstrating how God can use even unbelieving rulers to uphold His honor and command respect for His name.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "speak any thing amiss" translates from an Aramaic word (נֶשֶׁף, nesheph) which implies speaking "error," "wrong," or "blasphemy." It signifies any disrespectful, defiant, or contemptuous speech against the God who had just demonstrated His power so profoundly.
  • The punishment "shall be cut in pieces" (Aramaic, nevad) was a brutal form of execution common in ancient Near Eastern empires, signifying utter dismemberment.
  • "Their houses shall be made a dunghill" (Aramaic, nevalah, from nevel) implies not just ruin but absolute degradation and public disgrace. Their property would be reduced to a place for refuse, a sign of total contempt and judgment.

Practical Application

Daniel 3:29 serves as a powerful reminder that God is fully capable of defending His own name and His people. For believers today, it encourages unwavering faith even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, persecution, or ridicule. It reinforces the truth that our God is truly unique and sovereign, able to intervene miraculously on behalf of those who trust Him. Just as Nebuchadnezzar was forced to acknowledge God's power through the faithfulness of three men, so too can God use our steadfastness in trials to bring others to a recognition of His greatness and work all things for His glory. Our God remains the same delivering God, worthy of all praise and honor.

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 2:5

    The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.

  • Deuteronomy 32:31

    For their rock [is] not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves [being] judges.

  • Daniel 6:26

    I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he [is] the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion [shall be even] unto the end.

  • Daniel 6:27

    He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

  • Psalms 76:10

    Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

  • 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.

  • Psalms 3:8

    Salvation [belongeth] unto the LORD: thy blessing [is] upon thy people. Selah.

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