Daniel 3:5
What does Daniel 3:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Daniel 3:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Daniel 3:5 means
The specific decree commanded that upon hearing a designated array of musical instruments—cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music—everyone must immediately fall down and worship the golden image Nebuchadnezzar had erected. This synchronization of music and mandated worship created a powerful, sensory experience designed to compel universal obeisance. The use of various instruments highlighted the grand and overwhelming nature of this command, intended to ensure no one could escape the public act of adoration.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up;
KJV
King James Version · 1611That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949That when the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe, and all sorts of instruments, comes to your ears, you are to go down on your faces in worship before the image of gold which Nebuchadnezzar the king has put up:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862at the time that ye hear the voice of the cornet, the flute, the harp, the sackbut, the psaltery, the symphony, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and do obeisance to the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath raised up:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That in the hour that you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, and of the flute, and of the harp, of the sackbut, and of the psaltery, and of the symphony, and of all kind of music, ye fall down and adore the golden statue which king Nabuchodonosor hath set up.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, pipe, lute, sambuca, psaltery, bagpipe, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up;
Context
This verse specifies the exact nature of the king's command, providing the details of the required act of worship. It expands on the herald's general proclamation in the previous verse, giving concrete instructions that clarify what is expected. This detailed instruction is crucial for understanding the straightforward nature of the impending test of faith and the clear line that would be crossed by any who refused to comply, setting the stage for the penalty.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Daniel 3:7
Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
- 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?
- Daniel 3:10
Thou, 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;
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