Devine Scripture

Daniel 3:15

What does Daniel 3:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Daniel 3:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Daniel 3:15 means

The king issued a final, conditional ultimatum to the three men: if they were ready to worship the image upon hearing the music, they would be spared. But if they refused, they would immediately face death in the fiery furnace. Nebuchadnezzar then challenged their belief, mockingly asking, "who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?" This challenge was a direct blasphemy against their God, asserting his own supreme power and daring their deity to intervene, thereby ratcheting up the spiritual stakes of the confrontation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now if you are ready, on hearing the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe, and all sorts of instruments, to go down on your faces in worship before the image which I have made, it is well: but if you will not give worship, that same hour you will be put into a burning and flaming fire; and what god is there who will be able to take you out of my hands?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Now, lo, ye are ready, so that at the time that ye hear the voice of the cornet, the flute, the harp, the sackbut, the psaltery, and the symphony, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and do obeisance to the image that I have made! --and lo, ye do no obeisance--in that hour ye are cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; who is that God who doth deliver you out of my hands?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now, therefore, if you be ready, at what hour soever, you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, harp, sackbut, and psaltery, and symphony, and of all kind of music, prostrate yourselves, and adore the statue which I have made: but if you do not adore, you shall be cast the same hour into the furnace of burning fire: and who is the God that shall deliver you out of my hand?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now if ye be ready at the time that ye hear the sound of the cornet, pipe, lute, sambuca, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, [well]: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast that same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace: and who is theGod that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Context

This verse presents Nebuchadnezzar's final ultimatum to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, directly following his initial inquiry. His offer of mercy conditional on their worship, alongside the explicit threat of the furnace and the defiant challenge to their God, creates immense pressure. This moment is critical as it frames their choice as a direct confrontation not just with the king, but with his gods, leading directly to their iconic declaration of faith.

v.14Nebuchadnezzar answered and said unto them, Is it of purpose, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, that ye serve not my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

v.15This passage

v.16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Daniel 3:28

    Nebuchadnezzar spake and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

  • Luke 13:9

    and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.

  • Daniel 6:16

    Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

  • Isaiah 36:18

    Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, Jehovah will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

  • Luke 12:11

    And when they bring you before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not anxious how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

  • Acts 6:15

    And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

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