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Daniel 3:19
ESV Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated.
NIV Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual
NASB Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.
CSB Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times more than was customary,
NLT Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual.
KJV Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
NKJV Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.

What does Daniel 3:19 mean?

In arrogance, Nebuchadnezzar, the temperamental king of Babylon (Daniel 2:12), had commanded everyone to worship a golden idol (Daniel 3:1–7). Three Hebrew men (Daniel 3:12) were accused of ignoring that order and openly refused to comply (Daniel 3:16–18). The king's change of expression and instructions about the furnace reflect his ever-increasing rage (Daniel 3:13). His decree is not a measured application of law, but a temper tantrum from a man accustomed to getting his way.

The "furnace" in question (Daniel 3:6, 11, 15, 17) was probably a lime kiln. These were domed, earthen structures with an opening on top to insert material and a hole on the side to remove ashes and waste. Like a blacksmith's forge, the right combination of fuel and air flow could create phenomenal levels of heat. Being burnt alive was a traditional Babylonian punishment for blasphemers (Jeremiah 29:22). In this case, Nebuchadnezzar fails to realize that a superheated furnace would put anyone who came near it at risk (Daniel 3:22). It would also create a faster, less painful death for the three men. His only desire seems to be displaying as much power against these disobedient Hebrews as possible.

Nebuchadnezzar also failed to realize that the God the three men worshiped and served could protect them from the fire. He will soon learn that his earlier bragging (Daniel 3:15) was mistaken (Daniel 3:24–25).
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