Daniel 3:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

NIV: So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

NASB: Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the chief treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the administrators of the provinces were assembled for the dedication of the statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

CSB: So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the rulers of the provinces assembled for the dedication of the statue the king had set up. Then they stood before the statue Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

NLT: So all these officials came and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

KJV: Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

NKJV: So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

After hearing the interpretation of his dream (Daniel 2:36), Nebuchadnezzar creates some sort of enormous idol and commands high officials from all over the empire to attend its dedication (Daniel 3:1–2). The list here is identical to that in the prior verse (Daniel 3:2), with a long list of positions and job titles. That repetition suggests the oppressive and intrusive nature of the king's upcoming command (Daniel 3:4–6). This chapter will make a point of repeating certain phrases and lists, possibly to continue emphasizing this idea.

Some commentators suggest that Nebuchadnezzar set up the golden image to prove he had not abandoned the polytheistic religion of the Babylonians. He had, after all, praised Daniel's God (Daniel 2:47). Others speculate that the occasion was a celebration of Nebuchadnezzar's many military victories. It seems most likely that Nebuchadnezzar wanted everyone in his kingdom to see him as the majestic, supreme ruler over Babylon's many provinces. Bowing to the image would symbolize submission to the power and religion of Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar's construction of the golden image on the plain of Dura prefigures the construction of the image of the beast by the false prophet of Israel in the tribulation (Revelation 13:11–15).

Daniel 3:1–7 follows the incident where Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's frightening dream. It's possible that the king took pride in being depicted as a head of gold (Daniel 2:37–38), and so he makes a golden image of himself to be revered. The people of Babylon are commanded to worship this idol under threat of death: being burned alive. Repetition in the passage highlights the overbearing, controlling nature of the king's edict. This passage continues a segment of the Bible recorded in Aramaic (Daniel 2:4—7:28).

Nebuchadnezzar builds a golden idol, possibly inspired by the explanation of his own dream (Daniel 2:36–38). He commands all people to worship it, at a given musical signal, on pain of death. Three Hebrew men openly defy this command and are thrown into a superheated furnace. To his shock, the king sees a supernatural figure with the still-living Israelites. Not only do they survive, but their clothes aren't singed nor even smelling like smoke. The king praises their faith, and their God, commanding that no one speak ill of the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

The first chapter of Daniel explained how four captive Israelite boys became respected advisors to a Babylonian king. Chapter 2 showed these men praying for divine wisdom to untangle that same king's dream. These events set the stage for this chapter and the famous trio of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The men refuse to bow to an idol and are rescued from fiery death by God. This is the last mention of these men in Scripture, as focus shifts back to Babylon's kings and the prophet Daniel.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.