Daniel 3:23

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Daniel 3:23 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, firmly bound, fell into the blazing fiery furnace.

King James Version KJV

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

American Standard Version ASV

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, with the cords about them, went down into the burning and flaming fire.

Free Bible Version FBV

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, still tied up, fell into the furnace of blazing fire.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And these three men Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego fell downe bound into the middes of the hote fierie fornace.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, have fallen down in the midst of the burning fiery furnace — bound.

World English Bible WEB

These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the middle of the burning fiery furnace.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

But these three men, that is, Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, fell down bound in the midst of the furnace of burning fire.

Translation for Translators T4T

So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell into the roaring flames.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 3:23

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Daniel 3:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/גֻבְרַיָּ֤/א אִלֵּךְ֙ תְּלָ֣תֵּ/ה֔וֹן שַׁדְרַ֥ךְ מֵישַׁ֖ךְ וַ/עֲבֵ֣ד נְג֑וֹ נְפַ֛לוּ לְ/גֽוֹא אַתּוּן נוּרָ֥/א יָֽקִדְתָּ֖/א מְכַפְּתִֽין

וְ/גֻבְרַיָּ֤/א gᵉbar H1400 man Adj | N-mp | Art

אִלֵּךְ֙ ʼillêk H479 these Adj

תְּלָ֣תֵּ/ה֔וֹן tᵉlâth H8532 three Adj | Suff

שַׁדְרַ֥ךְ Shadrak H7715 Shadrach Adj

מֵישַׁ֖ךְ Mêyshak H4336 Meshach Adj

וַ/עֲבֵ֣ד ʻĂbêd Nᵉgôwʼ H5665 Abednego Adj | N-proper

נְג֑וֹ ʻĂbêd Nᵉgôwʼ H5665 Abednego Adj

נְפַ֛לוּ nᵉphal H5308 to fall Adj

לְ/גֽוֹא gav H1459 midst Adj | N-ms

אַתּוּן ʼattûwn H861 furnace Adj

נוּרָ֥/א nûwr H5135 fire Adj | Art

יָֽקִדְתָּ֖/א yᵉqad H3345 to burn Adj | Art

מְכַפְּתִֽין kᵉphath H3729 to bind Adj

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Daniel 3:23

וְ/גֻבְרַיָּ֤/א gᵉbar H1400 "man" Adj | N-mp | Art

The Hebrew word for a person, often translated as 'man' or 'certain one', appears in various contexts, including the book of Daniel. It refers to a human being, male or female. This term is used to describe an individual.

Definition: a man, a certain (one) Aramaic of ge.ver (גֶּ֫בֶר "great man" H1397)

Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: certain, man. See also: Ezra 4:21; Daniel 3:22; Daniel 6:25.

אִלֵּךְ֙ ʼillêk H479 "these" Adj

This word simply means these or those, used to point out specific people or things, like when Jesus says 'these' to describe his disciples.

Definition: these, those Aramaic of el (אֵל "these" H0411)

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: these, those. See also: Ezra 4:21; Daniel 3:22; Daniel 6:25.

תְּלָ֣תֵּ/ה֔וֹן tᵉlâth H8532 "three" Adj | Suff

This Hebrew word means 'three' or 'third', used to count or describe order. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Leviticus, to describe quantities or sequences. It's a basic number in the Hebrew language.

Definition: 1) three 1a) three (cardinal number) 1b) third (ordinal number)

Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: third, three. See also: Ezra 6:4; Daniel 6:11; Daniel 7:24.

שַׁדְרַ֥ךְ Shadrak H7715 "Shadrach" Adj

Shadrach was a friend of Daniel, renamed by King Nebuchadnezzar, who refused to worship false gods in Babylon. He appears in the book of Daniel. His name means royal or great scribe.

Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Dan.1.6; also called Shadrach at Dan.1.7; 2.49; 3.12,13,14,16,19,20,22,23,26,28,29,30; Aramaic of cha.nan.yah (חֲנַנְיָ֫הוּ "Hananiah" H2608T) § Shadrach = "royal" or "the great scribe" 1) the godly friend of Daniel whom Nebuchadnezzar renamed Shadrach; one of the three friends who with Daniel refused to make themselves unclean by eating food from the king's table which went against the dietary laws which God had given the Jews; also one of the three who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to a graven image of Nebuchadnezzar and who were saved by the angel of the Lord 1a) also, 'Hananiah' (H2608L)

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: Shadrach. See also: Daniel 2:49; Daniel 3:20; Daniel 3:30.

מֵישַׁ֖ךְ Mêyshak H4336 "Meshach" Adj

Meshach, a friend of Daniel, was given his name by King Nebuchadnezzar. He and Daniel refused unclean food in Daniel 1. Meshach means guest of the king.

Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Dan.1.6; also called Meshach at Dan.1.7; 2.49; 3.12,13,14,16,19,20,22,23,26,28,29,30; Aramaic of mi.sha.el (מִישָׁאֵל "Mishael" H4332I) § Meshach = "guest of the king" 1) the godly friend of Daniel who Nebuchadnezzar renamed Meshach; one of the three friends who with Daniel refused to make themselves unclean by eating food from the king's table which went against the dietary laws which God had given the Jews; also one of the three who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to a graven image of Nebuchadnezzar and who were saved by the angel of the Lord 1a) original name 'Mishael'

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: Meshak. See also: Daniel 2:49; Daniel 3:20; Daniel 3:30.

וַ/עֲבֵ֣ד ʻĂbêd Nᵉgôwʼ H5665 "Abednego" Adj | N-proper

Abed-Nego was a friend of Daniel, also known as Azariah, meaning 'servant of Nebo'. He was renamed by Nebuchadnezzar and stood with Daniel against unclean food.

Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Dan.1.6; also called Abednego at Dan.2.49; 3.12,13,14,16,19,20,22,23,26,28,29,30; Aramaic of a.zar.yah (עֲזַרְיָה "Azariah" H5838Z) § Abed-nego = "servant of Nebo" 1) the godly friend of Daniel who Nebuchadnezzar renamed Abednego; one of the three friends who with Daniel refused to make themselves unclean by eating food from the king's table which went against the dietary laws which God had given the Jews; also one of the three who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to a graven image of Nebuchadnezzar and who were saved by the angel of the Lord 1a) also, 'Azariah' (H5838 or H5839)

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: Abed-nego. See also: Daniel 2:49; Daniel 3:20; Daniel 3:30.

נְג֑וֹ ʻĂbêd Nᵉgôwʼ H5665 "Abednego" Adj

Abed-Nego was a friend of Daniel, also known as Azariah, meaning 'servant of Nebo'. He was renamed by Nebuchadnezzar and stood with Daniel against unclean food.

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: Abed-nego. See also: Daniel 2:49; Daniel 3:20; Daniel 3:30.

נְפַ֛לוּ nᵉphal H5308 "to fall" Adj

This Hebrew word also means to fall, and it's used when someone or something drops down. It's found in books like Exodus and Jeremiah, where people fell down to worship or fell into trouble.

Definition: 1) to fall 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall down

Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: fall (down), have occasion. See also: Ezra 7:20; Daniel 3:10; Daniel 7:20.

לְ/גֽוֹא gav H1459 "midst" Adj | N-ms

This word means the middle or midst of something, like the center of a room or a group of people. It is used in the Bible to describe a location or position. The KJV translates it as midst or same.

Definition: midst, the midst Aramaic of gev (גֵּו "midst" H1460B)

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: midst, same, there-(where-) in. See also: Ezra 4:15; Daniel 3:21; Daniel 7:15.

אַתּוּן ʼattûwn H861 "furnace" Adj

This word refers to a furnace or fireplace, often used for melting or burning. In the Bible, it describes a place of intense heat or fire, like a furnace used for refining metals. It is translated as furnace in the KJV.

Definition: furnace

Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: furnace. See also: Daniel 3:6; Daniel 3:20; Daniel 3:26.

נוּרָ֥/א nûwr H5135 "fire" Adj | Art

This Hebrew word simply means fire, describing flames or something fiery. It's used in various KJV translations to convey the idea of heat, light, or passion, and is a fundamental element in the biblical world.

Definition: fire

Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: fiery, fire. See also: Daniel 3:6; Daniel 3:23; Daniel 7:10.

יָֽקִדְתָּ֖/א yᵉqad H3345 "to burn" Adj | Art

This Hebrew word means to burn, like a fire. It's used to describe something on fire. In the Bible, it's used in the book of Exodus to describe the burning bush.

Definition: (P'al) to burn Aramaic of ya.qad (יָקַד "to burn" H3344)

Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: burning. See also: Daniel 3:6; Daniel 3:20; Daniel 3:26.

מְכַפְּתִֽין kᵉphath H3729 "to bind" Adj

To bind or fetter, meaning to tie someone up. In the Bible, it can mean to restrict or limit someone's freedom, as seen in Exodus.

Definition: 1) to bind 1a) (P'il) to be bound 1b) (Pael) to bind

Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: bind. See also: Daniel 3:20; Daniel 3:23; Daniel 3:24.

Study Notes — Daniel 3:23

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Daniel 3:23 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Daniel 3:23
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 3:23
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 3:23
Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 3:23
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 3:23
Cambridge Bible on Daniel 3:23
Barnes' Notes on Daniel 3:23
Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 3:23
Sermons on Daniel 3:23

Context — The Fiery Furnace

21So they were tied up, wearing robes, trousers, turbans, and other clothes, and they were thrown into the blazing fiery furnace. 22The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the fiery flames killed the men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, firmly bound, fell into the blazing fiery furnace.

24Suddenly King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and asked his advisers, “Did we not throw three men, firmly bound, into the fire?” “Certainly, O king,” they replied. 25“Look!” he exclaimed. “I see four men, unbound and unharmed, walking around in the fire—and the fourth looks like a son of the gods! ”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Daniel 6:16–17	So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed.
2	Jeremiah 38:6	So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.
3	Psalms 34:19	Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
4	Psalms 124:1–5	If the LORD had not been on our side— let Israel now declare— if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, then the floods would have engulfed us, then the torrent would have overwhelmed us, then the raging waters would have swept us away.
5	Psalms 66:11–12	You led us into the net; You laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us into abundance.
6	Lamentations 3:52–54	Without cause my enemies hunted me like a bird. They dropped me alive into a pit and cast stones upon me. The waters flowed over my head, and I thought I was going to die.
7	2 Corinthians 1:8–10	We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us,
8	1 Peter 4:12–13	Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.
9	2 Corinthians 4:17	For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison.

Daniel 3:23 Summary

This verse tells us that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace because they refused to worship a false god. Even though they were tightly bound and had no way to escape, they trusted that God would rescue them (as seen in Daniel 3:17-18). This event shows us that God is able to deliver us from even the most desperate situations, just like He did for the three men (as promised in Isaiah 43:2). We can learn from their example to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, even when things seem impossible, and to always choose to follow Him, no matter the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have to be thrown into the fiery furnace?

They were thrown into the furnace because they refused to worship the golden statue set up by King Nebuchadnezzar, choosing instead to remain faithful to the one true God of Israel, as seen in Daniel 3:18, where they say, 'If we are thrown into the blazing fiery furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it'

What does it mean that the three men were 'firmly bound'?

Being 'firmly bound' means that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were tightly tied up, with no ability to free themselves, highlighting their complete dependence on God for rescue, much like the Psalmist's declaration in Psalm 121:2, 'My help comes from the Lord'

How does this event relate to the broader storyline of the Bible?

This event in Daniel 3:23 is a powerful example of God's ability to rescue and deliver His people, even in the most desperate situations, foreshadowing the ultimate deliverance that would come through Jesus Christ, as seen in Isaiah 43:2, where it is written, 'When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overflow you'

What can we learn from the actions of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in this verse?

We can learn about the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, even when faced with overwhelming challenges, as the three men demonstrated by their willingness to trust God and face the fiery furnace, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight'

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I feel 'bound' and unable to escape, and how can I apply the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to those situations?
How do I respond when faced with difficult choices between following God and following the world, and what can I learn from the courage of the three men in this verse?
In what ways can I demonstrate trust in God's deliverance and rescue, even when circumstances seem impossible, as the three men did in this verse?
What does this event reveal about God's character and His desire to be involved in the lives of His people, and how can I apply that to my own relationship with Him?

Gill's Exposition on Daniel 3:23

And these three men fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 3:23

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 3:23

All this is expressed with emphasis, to make the power of God more glorious in their preservation; for that flame that slew the executioners might much more easily have suffocated the three children before they fell down.

Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 3:23

Daniel 3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Ver. 23. And these three men … fell down bound.] Their binders were burnt, but not their bonds so soon, lest the glory of the miracle should have been thereby defaced. Into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.] Where yet these holy salamanders took no hurt. In the creatures there is an essence and a faculty whereby the work, as in fire is the substance and the quality of heat: between these God can separate, and so hinder their working, as here he did. Quisque sollicitus sit non tam de vita quam de vocatione, &c.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 3:23

Verse 23. And these three men - fell down bound] There is a most evident want of connexion between this and the following verse; and it is between these verses that the apocryphal Song of the Three Children, as it is called, has been inserted by St. Jerome and others; but with this note: Quae sequuntur in Hebraeis voluminibus non reperi; "What follows I have not found in the Hebrew books." And then begins, "They walked in the midst of the flame, praising God, and blessing the Lord." The Septuagint and Arabic read the twenty-fourth verse thus: "Then Nebuchadnezzar heard them singing praise, and was astonished." To connect the two verses Houbigant adds two verses found in the Vulgate, which are the forty-ninth and the twenty-third: "But an angel of the Lord went down with Azariah and his companions into the furnace, and drove out the flame of fire from the furnace; and they walked in the midst of the furnace." This verse (the forty-ninth) has been added to show the reason of Nebuchadnezzar's astonishment, and also to account for the appearance of a fourth person in the furnace, as in Daniel 3:25.

Cambridge Bible on Daniel 3:23

19–27. The three youths delivered from the flames.

Barnes' Notes on Daniel 3:23

And these three men - fell down bound ... - That is, the flame did not loosen the cords by which they had been fastened.

Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 3:23

22, 23. Probably because of their haste or nervousness because the king was looking, the soldiers who carried the three Hebrews up to the top of the furnace are represented as being themselves slain

Sermons on Daniel 3:23

	Sermon	Description
	The Cross and the Mystery of Suffering by Sadhu Sundar Singh	Sadhu Sundar Singh preaches about the meaning and purpose of the cross, explaining that through Jesus bearing the cross, heaven was opened to believers, and by believers taking up
	Acts of the Apostles by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not substituting service for worship with the Lord. He encourages the audience to remember the secret to a fulfilling spir
	Thursday #1 Revival in the Late 1800's by J. Edwin Orr	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of sharing the stories of God's work with future generations. He also mentions two significant awakenings that occurred in the
	Romans 7 vs. Romans 8 by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of Jesus overcoming all obstacles. He uses the analogy of Jesus being like a stone that is being pushed against by various forces,
	Daniels More Excellent Spirit (Zulu/english) by Erlo Stegen	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Daniel and how he remained faithful to God despite facing opposition and pressure from others. The preacher emphasizes the impor
	(Daniel) in the Lion's Den by David Guzik	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den from Daniel chapter six. The story involves the jealousy of political subordinates, the vanity of a king
	Fear to Fear by C.H. Spurgeon	C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of courage in the face of fear, reminding us that God is always present to deliver us from our struggles. He encourages believers to stand f