Daniel 3:10
What does Daniel 3:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Daniel 3:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Daniel 3:10 means
The Chaldeans reminded the king of his recently issued decree, reiterating that any individual who heard the prescribed musical signal was commanded to prostrate themselves and worship the golden image. By carefully restating the king's own words, they subtly reinforced his absolute authority and the clear nature of his command. This detailed recital of the decree underscored their argument that the Jewish officials were in blatant violation of a well-understood and universally applicable royal edict, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You, O King, have given an order that every man, when the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe, and all sorts of instruments, comes to his ears, is to go down on his face in worship before the image of gold:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thou, O king, hast made a decree that every man who doth hear the voice of the cornet, the flute, the harp, the sackbut, the psaltery, and the symphony, and all kinds of music, doth fall down and do obeisance to the golden image;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the trumpet, the flute, and the harp, of the sackbut, and the psaltery, of the symphony, and of all kind of music, shall prostrate himself, and adore the golden statue:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, pipe, lute, sambuca, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image;
Context
Immediately after their polite opening, this verse details the Chaldeans' direct recall of the king's decree, which was previously established in verses 5-6. By reminding Nebuchadnezzar of his own specific command, they lay the legal groundwork for their accusation. This strategic move highlights the clarity of the law and foreshadows the inevitable confrontation with those who have defied it, setting up the direct charge against the three Jewish men.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ecclesiastes 3:16
And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.
- 1 Chronicles 15:28
Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding aloud with psalteries and harps.
- Psalms 81:1
Sing aloud unto God our strength: Make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
- John 11:57
Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commandment, that, if any man knew where he was, he should show it, that they might take him.
- Daniel 6:12
Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s interdict: Hast thou not signed an interdict, that every man that shall make petition unto any god or man within thirty days, save unto thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
- Exodus 15:20
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
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