ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Daniel 3

Dan. 3:1–30 Nebuchadnezzar commands all peoples under his rule to worship a golden image. Daniel’s friends refuse, out of loyalty to their God. When God delivers them from the fiery furnace, Nebuchadnezzar’s respect for their God increases.

Dan. 3:1 The image of gold reflects the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, except it is made entirely of gold. It is as if Nebuchadnezzar were asserting that there would be no other kingdoms after his. It was sixty cubits (90 feet/27 m) high and six cubits (9 feet/2.7 m) wide. Its location on a plain in Babylon recalls the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1–9), as does its purpose to provide a unifying center for all people.

Dan. 3:2 satraps. A governor of a satrapy (province).

Dan. 3:3 Chapter 3 repeatedly states that this was the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. It is unclear whether the image represented Nebuchadnezzar or one of his gods. All of the leading officials from throughout his empire were gathered before the statue for its dedication. The unity of Nebuchadnezzar’s empire was based on worship of the golden image.

Dan. 3:12 Certain “Chaldeans” (see note on 2:2) observed that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had not bowed to the statue. They charged the young men with ingratitude for the positions they held and disbelief in Nebuchadnezzar’s gods.

Dan. 3:18 But if not. There is no doubt in the three men’s minds that God has the power to save them. They also realize that God may choose not to save them.

Dan. 3:19 In anger, Nebuchadnezzar orders the furnace superheated. Seven times more than it was usually heated is probably a figurative expression meaning “as hot as possible.”

Dan. 3:22 Nebuchadnezzar’s order resulted in the death of his own soldiers. The Lord is able to protect his servants better than Nebuchadnezzar can protect his.

Dan. 3:24–25 Daniel’s friends were joined in the fire by a fourth individual, who had the appearance of a divine being like a son of the gods. This was either a physical appearance of Christ before his incarnation or an angel. Either way, this is a demonstration of God’s presence with believers in distress.

Dan. 3:27 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were completely un­­touched by the fire. Their clothes were not harmed nor their hair singed, and they did not even smell of fire—a testimony to the Lord’s protection.

Dan. 3:28 Nebuchadnezzar’s question in v. 15 had been decisively answered, as he is forced to testify. Yet his heart is not yet changed: the God of whom he spoke was still the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, or their . . . God, not his own.

Dan. 3:30 Nebuchadnezzar shows that he appreciates the integrity of these men.