What does Daniel 3:30 mean?

When Nebuchadnezzar received a God-ordained answer to his troubling dream (Daniel 2:17–19), he responded with promotions for Daniel and his three friends (Daniel 2:47–49). Those friends (Daniel 1:6–7) have survived the king's rage at defying his command to worship an idol (Daniel 3:16–18). This caused Nebuchadnezzar to commend their faith and give them additional honors (Daniel 3:28–29).

Scholars differ on what the exact reward was. He may have restored them to their prior positions of rank and authority or elevated them to even higher positions. He may have given them favor, leading to their continued success. The three men are not mentioned again in Scripture.

What happened to the three Hebrew men seemed terrible at first. Without doubt, what was done to them was irrational, evil, and horribly violent. Yet the Lord ensured the result was for their benefit. This turn of events echoes the experience of Joseph in the book of Genesis. After being betrayed by his brothers, he told them later, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" (Genesis 50:20). Saved survivors of the tribulation, too, will become prominent and occupy prestigious positions in Messiah's kingdom. They will supervise the business of cities during Jesus' millennial reign (Matthew 24:45, 47; 25:21, 23; Revelation 20:4).