Daniel 3:20
What does Daniel 3:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Daniel 3:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Daniel 3:20 means
Following his command to superheat the furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar then ordered some of the strongest men in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. The purpose was to physically secure them, ensuring they could be cast into the now immensely hot furnace. This detail underscores the immediate and violent execution of the king's decree, highlighting the imminent danger and the overwhelming force brought against these faithful men. It sets the scene for their direct entry into the fiery trial.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he commanded certain mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he commanded certain mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he gave orders to certain strong men in his army to put cords on Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego and put them into the burning and flaming fire.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and to certain mighty men who <FI>are<Fi> in his force he hath said to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, to cast into the burning fiery furnace.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he commanded the strongest men that were in his army, to bind the feet of Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago, and to cast them into the furnace of burning fire.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
Context
This verse details the immediate practical steps to carry out the king's enraged command from the previous verse. The binding of the men by mighty soldiers is a direct progression towards their execution, emphasizing their utter helplessness against the king's power. This action directly precedes their being cast into the furnace, heightening the tension and making the impending miracle even more astounding.
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.
v.20This passage
v.21Then these men were bound in their hosen, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 16:25
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them;
- Acts 16:23
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
- Acts 12:4
And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.
- Daniel 3:15
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?
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