Daniel 3:3

Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Then {H116} the princes {H324}, the governors {H5460}, and captains {H6347}, the judges {H148}, the treasurers {H1411}, the counsellors {H1884}, the sheriffs {H8614}, and all {H3606} the rulers {H7984} of the provinces {H4083}, were gathered together {H3673} unto the dedication {H2597} of the image {H6755} that Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} the king {H4430} had set up {H6966}; and they stood {H6966} before {H6903} the image {H6755} that Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} had set up {H6966}.

The viceroys, prefects, governors, judges, treasurers, counselors, sheriffs and all the provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the statue which N'vukhadnetzar the king had set up. They stood in front of the statue that N'vukhadnetzar had set up;

So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces assembled for the dedication of the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

Then the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Daniel 3:3 (KJV) describes the immense gathering of officials from across the vast Babylonian Empire for the dedication ceremony of the colossal golden image King Nebuchadnezzar had erected.

Context

This verse immediately follows King Nebuchadnezzar's decree to build a magnificent golden image, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, on the Plain of Dura. The king, perhaps seeking to unify his diverse empire under a single, supreme symbol of his power and divine authority, commanded all his high-ranking officials to attend its dedication. The elaborate list of titles—princes, governors, captains, judges, treasurers, counsellors, sheriffs, and all rulers of the provinces—underscores the comprehensive nature of this summons, ensuring virtually every influential person within the kingdom was present and accounted for, ready to participate in this act of mandatory worship.

Key Themes

  • Absolute Authority and Idolatry: The assembly highlights Nebuchadnezzar's absolute power and his demand for universal homage, not just to himself, but to an idol representing his dominion. This act was a direct challenge to the worship of the one true God.
  • Conformity and Pressure: The sheer number and diversity of officials gathered illustrate the immense societal and political pressure to conform to the king's will. Their mandatory presence set the stage for the dramatic conflict involving Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who famously refused to bow.
  • Centralization of Power: The detailed enumeration of various administrative and judicial roles demonstrates the highly organized, centralized structure of the Babylonian government under Nebuchadnezzar's rule.

Linguistic Insights

The original text of Daniel 2:4 through 7:28 is written in Aramaic, not Hebrew. The lengthy list of officials in this verse (sāḵĭnīn - princes, sāḡnîn - governors, paḥăwāt - captains/deputies, ʾăḏarḡāz̄rîn - judges, gîz̄bārîn - treasurers, dāṯāḇrîn - counsellors, tîp̄tāyê - sheriffs, and parmāyê - rulers of the provinces) emphasizes the king's reach. Each term represents a specific high-ranking position within the Babylonian administration, underscoring that no corner of the kingdom's leadership was exempt from this summons. The Aramaic word for "image" is ṣelem (צֶלֶם), which carries the connotation of a carved or molten figure, often used for idolatrous purposes.

Practical Application

Daniel 3:3 serves as a powerful illustration of the pressure to conform to prevailing cultural or governmental demands, especially when they conflict with one's convictions. While we may not face literal golden images today, believers are often confronted with societal expectations, ideologies, or systems that demand our ultimate loyalty or compromise our faith. This verse calls us to consider: What are the "golden images" of our time—whether power, wealth, popularity, or secular ideologies—that demand our worship or allegiance? The comprehensive gathering here reminds us that standing firm in our convictions, as some would soon do, often means standing against the tide of popular opinion and immense pressure, trusting in a greater authority than any earthly ruler. The Second Commandment directly forbids the making and worship of such images, highlighting God's exclusive claim to worship.

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.

  • Revelation 17:17

    For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

  • Revelation 17:13

    These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

  • Revelation 13:13

    And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

  • Revelation 13:16

    And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

  • Psalms 82:1

    ¶ A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

  • Psalms 82:8

    Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

  • Romans 3:11

    There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

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