Daniel 3:1 kjv
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Daniel 3:1 nkjv
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Daniel 3:1 niv
King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
Daniel 3:1 esv
King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Daniel 3:1 nlt
King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
Daniel 3 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel 3:1 | Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold... | Gen 11:4 |
| Daniel 3:1 | ...whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits... | Ex 25:10 |
| Daniel 3:1 | ...he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. | Psa 115:4 |
| Daniel 3:1 | ...this image was not meant for worship by all nations, but specifically for Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom. | Dan 4:30 |
| Daniel 3:1 | The king’s decree is an act of idolatry, a violation of the Ten Commandments. | Ex 20:3 |
| Daniel 3:1 | The scale of the image emphasizes earthly power and glory, contrasted with God’s eternal kingdom. | 1 Sam 15:22 |
| Daniel 3:1 | Dura likely refers to a specific geographical location within Nebuchadnezzar's domain. | Josh 1:3 |
| Daniel 3:1 | This event reflects Nebuchadnezzar’s ambition to consolidate his empire through forced religious uniformity. | Isa 14:13 |
| Daniel 3:1 | The placement in Dura suggests a public and official dedication ceremony. | Jer 27:6 |
| Daniel 3:1 | The chapter’s events highlight the sovereignty of God over human empires and rulers. | Psa 2:8 |
| Daniel 3:1 | The king’s unilateral decision bypasses established practices or consultations. | Prov 16:12 |
| Daniel 3:1 | This act may also be interpreted as a symbolic representation of Babylon's overwhelming might and influence. | Hab 1:11 |
| Daniel 3:1 | The material, gold, signifies immense wealth and value, emphasizing the king's power and magnificence. | Dan 2:32 |
| Daniel 3:1 | The emphasis on a singular, monumental image foreshadows Nebuchadnezzar’s later madness when he acted like a beast. | Dan 4:33 |
| Daniel 3:1 | The imposition of a singular religious focus by a king mirrors instances in Israel’s history with idolatrous kings. | 2 Kings 17:16 |
| Daniel 3:1 | The story serves as a powerful testament to unwavering faith in the face of totalitarian pressure. | Heb 11:33-34 |
| Daniel 3:1 | God’s judgment upon idolatry is a consistent theme throughout Scripture. | Rom 1:23 |
| Daniel 3:1 | Nebuchadnezzar’s actions reflect a characteristic pride often seen in rulers who oppose God’s will. | Luke 14:11 |
| Daniel 3:1 | The incident tests the loyalty of all the king’s subjects, including those from conquered nations like Israel. | Psa 33:12 |
| Daniel 3:1 | The directive for all peoples and nations to bow down demonstrates a totalitarian desire for universal allegiance. | Dan 7:23 |
Daniel 3 verses
Daniel 3 1 Meaning
Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, commissions a massive golden image. This act reveals his pride and desire for absolute power, setting the stage for a divine test of faithfulness for his people. The height and width specified suggest immense grandeur and likely a monolithic representation, possibly an idol of himself or a deity he favored.
Daniel 3 1 Context
This verse initiates the second major narrative in the book of Daniel. Following the account of Daniel's success in interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, the king, seemingly impressed and possibly seeking to unify his vast, diverse empire under a common symbol of his authority, commissions the construction of a colossal golden image. The chapter is set during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign over Babylon, likely after his conquests that brought many nations, including Judah, under his dominion. The historical context is one of Babylonian supremacy and a practice of asserting control through religious syncretism or imposed worship. The plain of Dura, a location within Babylon, is chosen as the site for the dedication of this imposing idol.
Daniel 3 1 Word analysis
- Nebuchadnezzar: Aramaic, "Nəḇuḵadna’aṣṣar" (נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר), meaning "Nabû, protect my offspring/border" or "the god Nebo has protected the crown." Nabû was the Babylonian god of wisdom and writing.
- the king: Indicates his supreme authority in the Babylonian Empire.
- made: Aramaic, "iṯ‘abad" (אִתְעֲבַד), passive verb meaning "was made" or "fashioned."
- an image: Aramaic, "ṣalma" (צַלְמָא), meaning "image, likeness, statue." This refers to a likeness, likely of a deity or the king himself.
- of gold: Aramaic, "dehē’na" (דְהָבָא), signifying the material of immense value and luster, symbolizing wealth, power, and perhaps divine radiance.
- whose height: Aramaic, "di-gumeh" (דִי גֻמֶּה), "its height."
- threescore cubits: Aramaic, "šišin qubitin" (שִׁשִּׁין קוּבַּטִין). "Threescore" means sixty (60). A cubit is an ancient unit of length, roughly the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, varying but often around 18 inches (45 cm). Thus, 60 cubits is approximately 90 feet (27 meters) tall.
- and the breadth thereof: Aramaic, "wə-reḥba-hēh" (וְרֶחְבָּהּ), "and its width."
- six cubits: Aramaic, "eḏan qubitin" (אֶדֶן קוּבַּטִין), meaning six (6) cubits, or approximately 9 feet (2.7 meters) wide. This proportion (10:1 height to width) suggests a very tall, slender structure.
- he set it up: Aramaic, "əqiṟreh” (אֲקֵיִּם), meaning "he erected" or "established" it.
- in the plain of Dura: Aramaic, "bə-beqʻa yə-Dûrâ” (בְּבִקְעַת דּוּרָא). Dura is a Hebrew and Aramaic word possibly meaning "plain" or "wall," indicating a specific open area or flatland in the province of Babylon, likely for public display.
Daniel 3 1 Bonus section
The choice of a golden image could also be interpreted symbolically, representing Babylon as the ultimate earthly power and glory that Nebuchadnezzar believed would endure forever. However, the biblical narrative consistently shows that such human-centric displays of power are ultimately fleeting and subordinate to God’s eternal kingdom. The prophet Daniel, by being present with his companions, although not directly mentioned in this verse, is part of this exiled community, facing a direct challenge to their monotheistic faith as ordained by the Law of Moses. The immense proportions might also suggest an artificial or perhaps even a gilded wooden structure rather than solid gold, reflecting an attempt to appear greater than reality.
Daniel 3 1 Commentary
Nebuchadnezzar's construction of this colossal golden image is a significant declaration of his imperial power and his intent to impose a unified religious ideology across his vast empire. The sheer size of the image (approximately 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide) conveys an overwhelming sense of grandeur and might, designed to impress and command awe. The choice of gold reinforces this message of absolute wealth and supreme authority. This act can be seen as a manifestation of Nebuchadnezzar’s pride, a characteristic flaw he demonstrated throughout his reign, often reflecting a king who believed his power was absolute and divinely sanctioned, yet ultimately opposing the true God. The plain of Dura, a public venue, signifies that this idol was meant to be a prominent symbol of the Babylonian regime for all to see and, as subsequent verses reveal, to worship. This act sets the stage for a critical test of faith for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and by extension, for all exiles residing in Babylon.