DANIEL 3

This chapter is unified by the phrase “in the province of Babylon” at its start, conclusion, and exact center (3:12).

Daniel 3:1-7

Verse 1 The gold statue is a reminder of last chapter. It may represent the king or his god. If the king,

then he may have even gotten the idea from Daniel's words in the last chapter: “You are the head of

gold.” There is a symbolic significance to numbers, as we shall see in a minute. The number 6 may

represent man, imperfection. Historically, the Babylonians had a sexagesimal numerical system. This

idol is about 90 feet tall. Dimensions are close to those of Egyptian obelisks. The Washington

Monument has the same 10:1 proportions. This is the first strong indication that he had not “converted”

after the events of Chapter 2. This can be a problem today with pagans “converting” to Christianity.

Calvin's comment: the human mind is “a factory of idols.”

2-3 This is the first example of repetition in the story. This is typical with oral tales and often has an

almost comical effect. Another commentator says, “Through repetition, the narrator creates a scenario

in which conformity is the norm and disobedience is unthinkable.” The 10x use of “bow down” may

 also be symbolic of perfect, or complete, worship.

Verse 5 This list of musical instruments given four times in story. The pipes were probably instruments

of the peasants while lyres belonged more to the aristocracy, stressing the universality of the decree, as

does verse 7.

Verse 6 The oven was probably a lime kiln with an opening on top and a hole in the side for stoking.

Such punishment has been found in Middle East cuneiforms.

Daniel 3:8-12

verse 8 Denounced = lit. “ate the pieces of.” This shows the seriousness of their actions. James points

out the danger that can be done with the tongue.

Verse 12 Their Babylonian names are given 13 times in the story. The three practice civil disobedience

but in a quiet way. It takes informers to point out their disobedience to the king. But when they are

confronted, they don't hesitate to say what they believe. This story has a lot of similarity with Haman's

denunciation of the Jews in the story of Esther.

Daniel 3:13-23

Verse 13 They are now grown men.

Verse 15 The end of verse is the next indication that the king had not generalized the lesson from

Chapter 2. He sets himself up as being more powerful than God.

Verse 16 The address to the king is not the usual “O King.” It stresses the fact that he is just a man.

Verses 16-18 James Wharton, Interpretation, April 1985, p. 170: “It concentrates on the naked reality 

of the human response, in its time of complete vulnerability to the powers of this world, with no

guarantee that the stance of faith is anything more than absurd posturing in the face of insurmountable

evil.”

Verse 18 This is like Job's assertion, “yea, though he slay me...” Longman says this has tremendous

implications regarding righteous suffering today.

Verse 19 Nebuchadnezzar again shows lack of control of his emotions. Anger due to fear? What does

he have to be afraid of? “The image of his face changed” is the literal translation. The king produces an

image to enforce conformity and then can't even control his own image. “Seven times hotter” probably 

means “to the maximum heat.”

Verse 22 It is ironic in that only his own soldiers were killed.

Daniel 3:23-30

Verse 25 Who is the fourth person? The Hebrew literally reads “son of God,” which is used for angels 

elsewhere in the Bible. (See verse 28 for the king's opinion.) Some view him as Jesus, which would be 

appropriate since Jesus came down to earth and suffered alongside us. And, as it has often been said, 

“Only their bonds were burned.”

Verse 27 God delivered them in the fire, not from it. We should keep this example in mind when 

considering differing views of the “Tribulation” and the “Rapture.”

Verse 28 The king answers his own question given in verse 15. He basically praises the trio for 

disobeying him. Anybody ever get such an unexpected response when obeying God? Once at work I 

hesitantly suggested a certain course of action since, even though it was the morally correct thing to do, 

I knew that it might not be to the company's benefit. Surprisingly, everyone agreed with me.

Verse 29 This is again similar to the story of Esther in that it ends with the king making an official 

proclamation favoring the Jews. “Although he has advanced beyond what he said in 2:47, he has not 

yet spoken from a heart of true faith.”: New Bible Commentary