Daniel 3:18
What does Daniel 3:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Daniel 3:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Daniel 3:18 means
In a climactic statement, the three men declared that even if God chose not to deliver them, they still would not serve Nebuchadnezzar's gods or worship his golden image. This profound assertion demonstrated absolute, unconditional loyalty to their God, transcending any expectation of miraculous intervention or concern for their own lives. It emphasized that their refusal was not dependent on an assured deliverance, but on an unshakeable commitment to the First Commandment, highlighting the purity and depth of their faith.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But if not, be certain, O King, that we will not be the servants of your gods, or give worship to the image of gold which you have put up.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And lo--not! be it known to thee, O king, that thy gods we are not serving, and to the golden image thou hast raised up we do no obeisance.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But if he will not, be it known to thee, O king, that we will not worship thy gods, nor adore the golden statue which thou hast set up.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thygods, nor worship the golden image that thou hast set up.
Context
This verse is the powerful culmination of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego's declaration, immediately following their assertion of God's ability to deliver. The phrase "But if not" elevates their faith to an extraordinary level, demonstrating that their faithfulness is not conditional on a promised miracle. This resolute defiance solidifies their position of ultimate trust in God, despite the certain death that now awaits them, directly leading to the king's furious reaction.
v.17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king.
v.18This passage
v.19Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Leviticus 19:4
Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am Jehovah your God.
- Luke 12:3
Wherefore whatsoever ye have said in the darkness shall be heard in the light; and what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
- Job 13:15
Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.
- Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.
- Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion.
- Matthew 10:28
And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
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