Daniel 3:5

[That] at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

That at what time {H5732} ye hear {H8086} the sound {H7032} of the cornet {H7162}, flute {H4953}, harp {H7030}{H7030}, sackbut {H5443}, psaltery {H6460}, dulcimer {H5481}, and all {H3606} kinds {H2178} of musick {H2170}, ye fall down {H5308} and worship {H5457} the golden {H1722} image {H6755} that Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} the king {H4430} hath set up {H6966}:

that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, zither, lute, bagpipe and the rest of the musical instruments, you fall down and worship the gold statue that N'vukhadnetzar the king has set up.

As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up;

Commentary

Daniel 3:5 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, detailing the specific command given to all peoples, nations, and languages in the Babylonian Empire. It outlines the precise moment—signaled by a grand orchestra—when everyone was to prostrate themselves and worship the king's idol.

Context

This verse is set during the Babylonian captivity of Judah, specifically under the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. Having solidified his empire and demonstrating his immense power, Nebuchadnezzar erected an enormous golden image, likely a representation of himself or a deity associated with his reign. The command in verse 5 was part of a decree demanding universal worship of this idol, an act designed to unify his diverse empire under a single religious and political authority, and to test the loyalty of all his subjects. This decree would soon lead to a dramatic confrontation with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three Jewish exiles who refused to compromise their faith.

Key Themes

  • Idolatry and Forced Worship: The central theme is the demand to worship a man-made image, a direct affront to the first two commandments given by God to Israel (Exodus 20:3-5). This act of enforced idolatry represents a clash between human authority claiming ultimate power and the divine authority of the one true God.
  • Absolute Authority and Control: Nebuchadnezzar's decree demonstrates his desire for absolute control over his subjects' religious and political allegiances. The specific timing and musical cues leave no room for ambiguity or individual interpretation, demanding immediate and public submission.
  • Testing of Faith: For the Jewish exiles, this command served as a profound test of their loyalty to God. It forced a choice between obedience to the king's decree and faithfulness to their covenant with Yahweh.

Linguistic and Cultural Insights

The detailed list of instruments—cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer—emphasizes the grand, orchestrated nature of the command. This was not a casual request but a meticulously planned, intimidating ceremony. The variety of instruments, some likely of Babylonian origin, would have produced a powerful and overwhelming sound, designed to elicit immediate and widespread compliance. The phrase "all kinds of musick" suggests a full orchestra, creating an inescapable auditory signal for worship. The act of "fall[ing] down and worship[ping]" implies complete prostration, a physical posture of ultimate submission and reverence.

Significance and Application

Daniel 3:5 sets the stage for one of the Bible's most powerful demonstrations of unwavering faith in the face of severe persecution. It highlights the stark contrast between human decrees that demand worship of created things and God's demand for exclusive worship of Him. For believers today, this verse serves as a timeless reminder:

  • Standing for Conviction: We may not face a literal golden image, but there are always cultural, political, or societal pressures to compromise our faith or conform to values that contradict biblical truth. This verse encourages us to stand firm in our convictions.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even in the face of overwhelming human authority, God remains sovereign. The subsequent events in Daniel 3 show that God honors those who honor Him, even in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:27-28).
  • The Cost of Discipleship: Following Christ often involves choosing divine principles over worldly demands, a choice that may come with significant personal cost.

This verse encapsulates the challenge of faithfulness in a hostile environment, preparing the reader for the courageous defiance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 3:15

    Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; [well]: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who [is] that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

  • Daniel 3:10

    Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:

  • Daniel 3:7

    Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down [and] worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
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