Daniel 3:8
What does Daniel 3:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Daniel 3:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Daniel 3:8 means
At this critical moment, certain Chaldeans approached King Nebuchadnezzar and lodged an accusation against the Jews. This act reveals a deeper political and perhaps racial animosity beneath the religious decree. These accusers were likely seeking to undermine the influence of the Jewish officials who had risen to power within the Babylonian administration (as seen in Daniel 2). Their actions initiated the direct conflict between the king's command and the monotheistic faith of the Jews, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949At that time certain Chaldaeans came near and made a statement against the Jews.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Therefore at that time drawn near have certain Chaldeans, and accused the Jews;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And presently at that very time some Chaldeans came and accused the Jews,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Whereupon at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
Context
Following the widespread worship of the idol, this verse introduces the instigators of the immediate conflict. It shows that even amidst general compliance, there were those ready to enforce the king's decree, particularly against this specific group. This accusation directly transitions the narrative from the general decree to the specific challenge faced by Daniel's companions, creating the central tension of the chapter and bringing forth the named characters into the direct spotlight.
v.7Therefore 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.
v.8This passage
v.9They answered and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king, O king, live for ever.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 16:20
and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
- Acts 28:22
But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.
- Ezra 4:12
Be it known unto the king, that the Jews that came up from thee are come to us unto Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations.
- Daniel 6:12
Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s interdict: Hast thou not signed an interdict, that every man that shall make petition unto any god or man within thirty days, save unto thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
- 1 Peter 4:3
For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries:
- Esther 3:6
But he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
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