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.

Therefore {H6903}{H1836} at that time {H2166}, when {H1768} all {H3606} the people {H5972} heard {H8086} the sound {H7032} of the cornet {H7162}, flute {H4953}, harp {H7030}{H7030}, sackbut {H5443}, psaltery {H6460}, and all {H3606} kinds {H2178} of musick {H2170}, all {H3606} the people {H5972}, the nations {H524}, and the languages {H3961}, fell down {H5308} and worshipped {H5457} the golden {H1722} image {H6755} that Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} the king {H4430} had set up {H6966}.

Therefore, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, zither, lute and the rest of the musical instruments, all the peoples, nations and languages fell down and worshipped the gold statue that N'vukhadnetzar the king had set up.

Therefore, as soon as all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and all kinds of music, the people of every nation and language would fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

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

Commentary

Context

Daniel 3:7 describes the immediate and widespread compliance with King Nebuchadnezzar's decree to worship a massive golden image he had erected on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. This event follows Nebuchadnezzar's earlier dream of a great image, which Daniel interpreted as representing successive world empires, with Babylon as the head of gold. The king's creation of a solid gold image, rather than one of mixed metals, likely signified his desire for an eternal, unchallenged kingdom and his absolute authority over all matters, including religion. The summoning of all high officials, governors, and leaders from across the vast Babylonian empire underscored the universal nature of this command. Music served as the signal for this mandatory act of worship, ensuring that none could claim ignorance of the appointed time.

Key Themes

  • Forced Idolatry and Conformity: The verse vividly portrays a moment of universal, coerced worship. Nebuchadnezzar demanded not just political allegiance, but religious conformity, attempting to unify his diverse empire under a single, state-sanctioned deity (represented by the image). This highlights the dangers of totalitarian power seeking to control the conscience.
  • The Power of Music as a Signal: The detailed list of musical instruments—cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery—emphasizes the orchestrated nature of the worship. Music was used not just for celebration, but as a precise, unavoidable cue for all to fall down and worship. This shows how cultural elements can be co-opted to enforce compliance.
  • Universal (Yet Not Absolute) Submission: "All the people, the nations, and the languages" fell down, indicating the immense pressure and the widespread success of the king's decree. This sets the stage for the dramatic contrast with the faithfulness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who famously refused to bow, demonstrating that true faith transcends human decrees.

Linguistic Insights

The list of instruments in Aramaic (the language of Daniel 2-7) indicates a varied orchestra, some terms possibly borrowed from Greek, suggesting a cosmopolitan environment in Babylon. The phrase "all kinds of musick" (Aramaic: zĕmar) literally means "musical sound" or "song," reinforcing the idea of a grand, encompassing sound designed to prompt immediate action. The act of "worshipped" (Aramaic: sĕgid) means to bow down or prostrate oneself, signifying deep reverence or submission, whether genuine or compelled.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the constant pressure to conform to worldly systems and values that often conflict with God's commands. Just as the people of Babylon were compelled to worship a golden image, believers today can face immense societal, cultural, or even professional pressure to compromise their faith or to place other loyalties above God. The narrative challenges us to consider:

  • What "golden images" (idols) might our society, or even our own desires, set up for us to worship? This could be wealth, status, power, pleasure, or even popular opinion.
  • Are we prepared to stand firm when the "music" of conformity plays, even when it means standing alone against the majority?
  • The importance of remembering the first commandment against idolatry, which forbids having any gods before the Lord.

Daniel 3:7 highlights the pervasive nature of idolatry and the courage required to resist it, setting the stage for one of the Bible's most profound examples of unwavering faith.

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

  • 1 John 5:19

    [And] we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

  • Revelation 13:3

    And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

  • Jeremiah 51:7

    Babylon [hath been] a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

  • Revelation 13:8

    And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

  • Revelation 17:8

    The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

  • Revelation 12:9

    And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

  • Revelation 19:20

    And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
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