Daniel 3:1
What does Daniel 3:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Daniel 3:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Daniel 3:1 means
King Nebuchadnezzar constructed an immense golden image, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, setting it up in the plain of Dura. This act was likely an expression of his absolute power and a challenge to the God of Israel, whom Daniel had previously declared to be the God of heaven (Daniel 2:44-45). The exaggerated dimensions and the golden material emphasized its intended grandeur and importance, demanding universal veneration throughout his kingdom. It asserted his dominion not only politically but also religiously, intending to unify his diverse empire under a shared symbol of his authority.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide: he put it up in the valley of Dura, in the land of Babylon.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Nebuchadnezzar the king hath made an image of gold, its height sixty cubits, its breadth six cubits; he hath raised it up in the valley of Dura, in the province of Babylon;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752King Nabuchodonosor made a statue of gold, of sixty cubits high, and six cubits broad, and he set it up in the plain of Dura, of the province of Babylon.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits, [and] its breadth six cubits; he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Context
This verse opens Daniel chapter 3 by establishing the central object of the conflict: a colossal golden idol. It immediately sets the scene for the test of faith that follows, introducing the king's decree and the physical manifestation of the Babylonian religious and political system that the faithful Jews would soon confront. It lays the groundwork for understanding the immensity of the challenge presented to those who would refuse to worship it.
v.1This passage
v.2Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 40:19
The image, a workman hath cast it, and the goldsmith overlayeth it with gold, and casteth for it silver chains.
- Exodus 20:23
Ye shall not make other gods with me; gods of silver, or gods of gold, ye shall not make unto you.
- Acts 19:26
And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands:
- Esther 1:1
Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even unto Ethiopia, over a hundred and seven and twenty provinces),
- Exodus 32:2
And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden rings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.
- Daniel 5:23
but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou and thy lords, thy wives and thy concubines, have drunk wine from them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified.
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