Daniel 3:12
What does Daniel 3:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Daniel 3:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Daniel 3:12 means
Having laid the groundwork, the Chaldeans then specifically accused three Jewish officials—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego—of defying the king's decree. They pointed out that these men, whom Nebuchadnezzar himself had appointed to high positions, neither served the king's gods nor worshipped the golden image he had set up. This accusation directly challenged the authority of the king and the religious unity he sought to impose, elevating a personal act of faith into a public act of insubordination deserving of the prescribed punishment.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000There are certain Jews whom thou hast appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
KJV
King James Version · 1611There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901There are certain Jews whom thou hast appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949There are certain Jews whom you have put over the business of the land of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men have not given attention to you, O King: they are not servants of your gods or worshippers of the gold image which you have put up.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862There are certain Jews whom thou hast appointed over the work of the province of Babylon--Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, these men have not made of thee, O king, <FI>any<Fi> regard; thy gods they are not serving, and to the golden image thou hast raised up--are not making obeisance.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now there are certain Jews, whom thou hast set over the works of the province of Babylon, Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago: these men, O king, have slighted thy decree: they worship not thy gods, nor do they adore the golden statue which thou hast set up.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890There are certain Jews whom thou hast appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: these men, O king, regard thee not; they serve not thygods, nor worship the golden image that thou hast set up.
Context
This verse presents the direct accusation against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, following the Chaldeans' restatement of the king's decree and penalty. This crucial turning point names the protagonists and explicitly states their refusal to comply. This accusation sets the stage for the immediate royal summons and confrontation, moving the narrative from general policy to specific individual defiance against the king's absolute will.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Esther 3:8
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from those of every people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.
- 1 Samuel 18:7
And the women sang one to another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.
- Daniel 2:49
And Daniel requested of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel was in the gate of the king.
- Daniel 6:13
Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the interdict that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
- Acts 17:7
whom Jason hath received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Cæsar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
- Proverbs 27:4
Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy?
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