1Nebuchad-nezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and þe breadth thereof sixe cubites: he set it vp in the plaine of Dura, in the prouince of Babylon.

2Then Nebuchad-nezzar the king sent to gather together the Princes, the Gouernours, and the Captaines, the Iudges, the Treasurers, the Counsellers, the Sherifes, and all the rulers of the Prouinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchad-nezzar the King had set vp.

3Then the Princes, the Gouernours and Captaines, the Iudges, the Treasurers, the Counsellers, the Sherifes, and all the rulers of the Prouinces were gathered together vnto the dedicatiō of the image, that Nebuchadnezzar the King had set vp, and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set vp.

4Then an herauld cryed aloud, To you it is commaunded, O people, nations, and languages,

5That at what time yee heare the sound of the cornet, flute, harpe, sackbut, psalterie, dulcimer, and all kinds of musicke, yee fall downe, and worship the golden image that Nebuchad-nezzar the King hath set vp:

6And who so falleth not down and worshippeth, shall the same houre bee cast into the middest of a burning fierie furnace.

7Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harpe, sackbut, psalterie, and all kindes of musicke, all the people, the nations, and the languages fell downe and worshipped the golden image, that Nebuchad-nezzar the King had set vp.

8 Wherefore at that time certaine Caldeans came neere, and accused the Iewes.

9They spake and sayd to the King Nebuchad-nezzar, O King, liue for euer.

10Thou, O King, hast made a decree, that euery man that shal heare the sound of the cornet, flute, harpe, sackbut, psalterie, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musicke, shall fall downe and worship the golden image:

11And who so falleth not downe & worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fierie furnace.

12There are certain Iewes whom thou hast set ouer the affaires of the prouince of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: these men, O King, haue not regarded thee, they serue not thy gods, nor worship the golden image, which thou hast set vp.

13 Then Nebuchad-nezzar in his rage and furie commaunded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: then they brought these men before the King.

14Nebuchad-nezzar spake and said vnto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? doe not yee serue my gods, nor worship the golden image which I haue set vp?

15Now if ye be ready that at what time yee heare the sound of the cornet, flute, harpe, sackbut, psalterie, and dulcimer, and all kindes of musicke, ye fall downe, and worship the image which I haue made, well: but if yee worship not, ye shall be cast the same houre into the midst of a fierie furnace, and who is that God that shall deliuer you out of my handes?

16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king; O Nebuchad-nezzar, we are not carefull to answere thee in this matter.

17If it be so, our God whom wee serue, is able to deliuer vs from the burning fierie furnace, and he will deliuer vs out of thine hand, O king.

18But if not, bee it knowen vnto thee, O king, that we will not serue thy gods, nor worship thy golden image, which thou hast set vp.

19 Then was Nebuchad-nezzar full of furie, and the forme of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: therefore he spake and commanded, that they should heat the furnace one seuen times more then it was wont to be heat.

20And hee commaunded the most mighty men that were in his armie, to binde Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fierie furnace.

21Then these men were bound in their coates, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fierie furnace.

22Therefore because the Kings commandement was vrgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that tooke vp Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell downe bound into the midst of the burning fierie furnace.

24Then Nebuchad-nezzar the king was astonied, and rose vp in haste, and spake and said vnto his counsellers, Did not wee cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said vnto the king; True, O king.

25He answered and said, Loe, I see foure men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they haue no hurt, and the forme of the fourth is like the sonne of God.

26 Then Nebuchad-nezzar came neere to the mouth of the burning fierie furnace, and spake and said, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, ye seruants of the most High God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came forth of the midst of the fire.

27And the princes, gouernours, and captaines, and the kings counsellers, being gathered together, saw these men, vpon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an haire of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

28Then Nebuchad-nezzar spake and said; Blessed bee the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his Angel, and deliuered his seruants that trusted in him, and haue changed the Kings word, and yeelded their bodies, that they might not serue nor worship any God, except their owne God.

29Therefore I make a decree, That euery people, nation, and language, which speake any thing amisse against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill, because there is no other God, that can deliuer after this sort.

30Then the King promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the prouince of Babylon.

IV == Dan 4:1 ; 6:25

VI == Jer 29:22 ; Rev 13:15

VIII == Dan 6:12

IX == Dan 2:4 ; 5:10 ; 6:6 , 21

XII == Dan 2:49

XIV == Ex 21:13

XV == Ex 5:2 ; 32:32 ; 2nd Kings 18:35 ; Luke 13:9

XVI == Matt 10:19

XXV == Job 1:6 ; 38:7 ; Ps 34:7 ; Isa 43:2 ; Dan 3:28

XXVII == Heb 11:34

XXVIII == Ps 34:7-8 ; Jer 17:7 ; Dan 6:22-23

XXIX == Dan 2:5 ; 6:26-27

2 He then ordered the satraps, prefects, and governors, the counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the officials of the provinces to be summoned to the dedication of the statue which he had set up.

3 The satraps, prefects, and governors, the counselors, treasurers, judges, and magistrates and all the officials of the provinces, all these came together for the dedication and stood before the statue which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4 A herald cried out: "Nations and peoples of every language, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments,

5 you are ordered to fall down and worship the golden statue which King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

6 Whoever does not fall down and worship shall be instantly cast into a white-hot furnace."

7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments, the nations and peoples of every language all fell down and worshiped the golden statue which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

8 At that point, some of the Chaldeans came and accused the Jews

9 to King Nebuchadnezzar: "O king, live forever!

10 O king, you issued a decree that everyone who heard the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments should fall down and worship the golden statue;

11 whoever did not was to be cast into a white-hot furnace.

12 There are certain Jews whom you have made administrators of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego; these men, O king, have paid no attention to you; they will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up."

13 Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and sent for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were promptly brought before the king.

14 King Nebuchadnezzar questioned them: "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up?

15 Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the God that can deliver you out of my hands?"

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

17 If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us!

18 But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up."

19 Nebuchadnezzar's face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual

20 and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace.

21 They were bound and cast into the white-hot furnace with their coats, hats, shoes and other garments,

22 for the king's order was urgent. So huge a fire was kindled in the furnace that the flames devoured the men who threw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into it.

23 But these three fell, bound, into the midst of the white-hot furnace.

24 They walked about in the flames, singing to God and blessing the Lord.

25 In the fire Azariah stood up and prayed aloud:

26 "Blessed are you, and praiseworthy, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and glorious forever is your name.

27 For you are just in all you have done; all your deeds are faultless, all your ways right, and all your judgments proper.

28 You have executed proper judgments in all that you have brought upon us and upon Jerusalem, the holy city of our fathers. By a proper judgment you have done all this because of our sins;

29 For we have sinned and transgressed by departing from you, and we have done every kind of evil.

30 Your commandments we have not heeded or observed, nor have we done as you ordered us for our good.

31 Therefore all you have brought upon us, all you have done to us,you have done by a proper judgment.

32 You have handed us over to our enemies, lawless and hateful rebels; to an unjust king, the worst in all the world.

33 Now we cannot open our mouths; we, your servants, who revere you, have become a shame and a reproach.

34 For your name's sake, do not deliver us up forever, or make void your covenant.

35 Do not take away your mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham, your beloved, Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one,

36 To whom you promised to multiply their offspring like the stars of heaven, or the sand on the shore of the sea.

37 For we are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other nation, brought low everywhere in the world this day because of our sins.

38 We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader, no holocaust, sacrifice, oblation, or incense, no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you.

39 But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received;

40 As though it were holocausts of rams and bullocks, or thousands of fat lambs, So let our sacrifice be in your presence today as we follow you unreservedly; for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame.

41 And now we follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we pray to you.

42 Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.

43 Deliver us by your wonders, and bring glory to your name, O Lord:

44 Let all those be routed who inflict evils on your servants; Let them be shamed and powerless, and their strength broken;

45 Let them know that you alone are the Lord God, glorious over the whole world."

46 Now the king's men who had thrown them in continued to stoke the furnace with brimstone, pitch, tow, and faggots.

47 The flames rose forty-nine cubits above the furnace,

48 and spread out, burning the Chaldeans nearby.

49 But the angel of the Lord went down into the furnace with Azariah and his companions, drove the fiery flames out of the furnace,

50 and made the inside of the furnace as though a dew-laden breeze were blowing through it. The fire in no way touched them or caused them pain or harm.

51 Then these three in the furnace with one voice sang, glorifying and blessing God:

52 "Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.

53 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.

54 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

55 Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

56 Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.

57 Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

58 Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

59 You heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

60 All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

61 All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

62 Sun and moon, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

63 Stars of heaven, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

64 Every shower and dew, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

65 All you winds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

66 Fire and heat, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

67 [Cold and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

68 Dew and rain, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

69 Frost and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

70 Ice and snow, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

71 Nights and days, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

72 Light and darkness, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

73 Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

74 Let the earth bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

75 Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

76 Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

77 You springs, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

78 Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

79 You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

80 All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

81 All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

82 You sons of men, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

83 O Israel, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

84 Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

85 Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

86 Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

87 Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

88 Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. For he has delivered us from the nether world, and saved us from the power of death; He has freed us from the raging flame and delivered us from the fire.

89 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.

90 Bless the God of gods, all you who fear the Lord; praise him and give him thanks, because his mercy endures forever." Hearing them sing, and astonished at seeing them alive,

91 King Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" "Assuredly, O king," they answered.

92 "But," he replied, "I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God."

93 Then Nebuchadnezzar came to the opening of the white-hot furnace and called to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: "Servants of the most high God, come out." Thereupon Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire.

94 When the satraps, prefects, governors, and nobles of the king came together, they saw that the fire had had no power over the bodies of these men; not a hair of their heads had been singed, nor were their garments altered; there was not even a smell of fire about them.

95 Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants that trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

96 Therefore I decree for nations and peoples of every language that whoever blasphemes the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be cut to pieces and his house destroyed. For there is no other God who can rescue like this."

97 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

98 King Nebuchadnezzar to the nations and peoples of every language, wherever they dwell on earth: abundant peace!

99 It has seemed good to me to publish the signs and wonders which the most high God has accomplished in my regard.

100 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders; his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures through all generations.

v 1. Nebuchadnezzar was impressed with Daniel’s interpretation of him being a head of gold, so probably in the near future he built this statue or obelisk 90 feet high and only 9 feet wide and overlaid it with gold. A large square made of brick, probably it’s base, has been discovered on the plain 6 miles southeast of Babylon.

v 2,3. Eight classes of officials were gathered from all the provinces to this great dedication, aimed at unifying them. Zedekiah may have been called to this, Jer. 51:59, and Seraih was to read the message of Babylon’s fall 51:60-64.

v 4-7. The various rulers did not know till they got there that Nebuchadnezzar was going to require them to bow to his one world government and one world religion. The music and authority impressed them to bow to the image as they were commanded.

v 8-12. Jealous of the positions given to the three Jewish young men, other men of court were quick to bring accusation against them. They probably feared to mention Daniel because of his top position, or else he may have been away on business.

v 13-15. Nebuchadnezzar was furious, but gave the three young men he liked a chance to obey. By saying no other god could deliver them, he joined battle with God.

v 16-18. The three knew God was greater than the king and expected He would deliver them, but they were ready to die rather than disobey God and worship another.
v 19. In a rage, the king demanded the furnace  heated 7 x hotter so they would have instant death as an example to any others who might have feelings of rebellion.
v 20-23. Without stripping their clothes as in normal execution, they were quickly bound and probably thrown in the top where fuel was thrown in. It was so extremely hot that his best soldiers throwing them in died.
v 24-27. Peering through a lower opening, the king could see the three walking about with a fourth, supernatural person, probably pre incarnate Christ. From a safe distance he called them out, unharmed, without even smell of smoke on their clothes.
v 28-30. Nebuchadnezzar recognized this as an act of the God on these three youths in sending an angel to protect them. He was just as astounded at them being willing to die than disobey their God. Now he decreed that anyone who spoke any thing against them would have their homes destroyed. Then he promoted the three.
Since that time the Emperors of Rome, Japan and Lenin of Russia and probably Aztecs and others have been worshiped. In the coming Tribulation period, a Gentile king will again demand that everyone worship him. Many will, but some will choose to suffer persecution or death, and a remnant will be spared