Daniel 3:6

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

And whoso {H4479} falleth {H5308} not {H3809} down {H5308} and worshippeth {H5457} shall the same hour {H8160} be cast {H7412} into the midst {H1459} of a burning {H3345} fiery {H5135} furnace {H861}.

Whoever does not fall down and worship is to be thrown immediately into a blazing hot furnace."

And whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.”

and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:6 (KJV) delivers the stark consequence of King Nebuchadnezzar's decree, setting the stage for one of the Bible's most dramatic demonstrations of faith and divine intervention.

Context

This verse is part of a pivotal narrative in the Book of Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful ruler of the Babylonian empire, had erected an immense golden image on the plain of Dura. He then commanded all officials, satraps, governors, and people of every nation and language to bow down and worship this idol at the sound of specific musical instruments (Daniel 3:4-5). Daniel 3:6 articulates the severe and immediate penalty for non-compliance: being "cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace." This command was a direct challenge to the monotheistic faith of the Jewish exiles, particularly Daniel's three friends – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – who refused to compromise their devotion to the one true God.

Key Themes

  • Idolatry vs. True Worship: The central conflict revolves around whether one will worship a man-made image or remain faithful to the God of Israel. This verse highlights the extreme pressure to conform to pagan worship, a constant theme in the Old Testament, echoing the First Commandment against having no other gods before the Lord.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse explicitly outlines the dire punishment for refusing to obey the king's command. It underscores the tyrannical power wielded by Nebuchadnezzar and the life-or-death stakes involved in choosing one's allegiance.
  • Faithfulness Under Persecution: Daniel 3:6 sets up the ultimate test for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Their refusal to bow, knowing the certain outcome, exemplifies unwavering faith and courage in the face of extreme persecution for righteousness' sake.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV phrase "burning fiery furnace" translates the Aramaic `attun nurah yaqqidah` (אַתּוּן נוּרָא יַקִּידָה). The repetition of "fiery" or "burning" (both from the root `nur`, meaning "fire") intensely emphasizes the extreme heat and destructive nature of the furnace. It is not just a furnace, but one that is "burning fire," conveying a sense of overwhelming, consuming heat, making the threat incredibly vivid and terrifying.

Practical Application

Daniel 3:6, while depicting an ancient decree, resonates with timeless spiritual principles:

  • Standing for Conviction: Believers today often face societal pressures or cultural norms that conflict with biblical principles. This verse challenges us to consider if we are willing to stand firm in our faith, even when there are significant personal or professional consequences.
  • Identifying Modern "Idols": Like the golden image, modern "idols" can demand our allegiance – whether it's wealth, status, popular opinion, or comfort. The verse prompts us to examine what we are truly bowing down to in our lives.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Though the threat was severe, the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ultimately reveals God's power to deliver His faithful servants (Daniel 3:27). This verse, therefore, implicitly invites us to trust in God's ultimate sovereignty, even when faced with impossible situations, and to stand firm against spiritual opposition.
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.

  • Matthew 13:50

    And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

  • Matthew 13:42

    And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

  • Jeremiah 29:22

    And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which [are] in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;

  • Daniel 3:11

    And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, [that] he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

  • 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?

  • Revelation 9:2

    And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

  • Ezekiel 22:18

    Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they [are] brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are [even] the dross of silver.

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