Daniel 3 12

Daniel 3:12 kjv

There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Daniel 3:12 nkjv

There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up."

Daniel 3:12 niv

But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon?Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego?who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."

Daniel 3:12 esv

There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

Daniel 3:12 nlt

But there are some Jews ? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ? whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up."

Daniel 3 verses

Daniel 3 12 Meaning

Daniel 3:12 states, "There are certain Jews whom you have set over the administration of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded you: they do not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up." This verse introduces three Jewish exiles who refuse to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, highlighting their steadfast faith in Yahweh despite immense pressure. Their non-compliance is explicitly stated, emphasizing their loyalty to God above the king's decree and Babylonian religious practices.

Daniel 3 12 Context

This verse occurs within the narrative of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon commissioning a massive golden image, thirty cubits high and three cubits wide, and demanding that all his officials, satraps, governors, judges, treasurers, counselors, secretaries, and all other administrators of the provinces gather for its dedication. A herald loudly proclaims that everyone must fall down and worship the image when they hear the music of the various instruments. The accusations in Daniel 3:12 come from certain unnamed Chaldeans who seize this opportunity to accuse Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego before the king, revealing their refusal to obey the king's command to worship the golden image.

Daniel 3 12 Word Analysis

• "There" (וְ֠עַל – wəʿal): Conjunction meaning "and" or "now," initiating a statement that contrasts or follows previous information. Here, it links the current accusation to the established decree.

• "are": Simple verb of existence.

• "certain" (אָ — ʾā): Indefinite pronoun indicating some, specific individuals.

• "Jews" (יְהוּדָּיִן – yəhûḏāyin): Aramaic for "Judeans," referring to people from the kingdom of Judah. This term underscores their ethnic and religious identity in a foreign land.

• "whom" (דִּי – dī): Relative pronoun.

• "you" (אַנְתְּ — ʾant): King Nebuchadnezzar, addressed directly.

• "have set" (שַׂמְתָּ — śamtā): Aramaic for "appointed" or "placed." The king had elevated these three men to positions of authority in the province.

• "over" (עַל — ʿal): Indicates their dominion or responsibility.

• "the administration" (שָׁלְטָנָא — šālṭānā): Aramaic for "rule," "power," or "authority." They held significant administrative roles.

• "of": Preposition showing possession or relation.

• "the province" (מְדִינַת — məḏīnāṯ): Aramaic for "province" or "region."

• "Babylon" (בָּבֶל — bāḇel): The capital city and empire.

• "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego" (שַׁדְרַךְ מֵישַׁךְ וַעֲבֵד — šaḏrač mēšaḵ waʿăḇēḏ-נְגֹ — neḡō): The Babylonian names given to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, respectively, by Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:7). These names are of Babylonian origin, but their refusal remains rooted in their Jewish faith.

• "these" (אִלֵּךְ — ʾillēḵ): Demonstrative pronoun referring to the three men.

• "men" (גִּבְרַיָּא — ḡiḇrayyā): Aramaic for "men" or "mighty men."

• "O king" (מַלְכָּא — malkā): Aramaic vocative for "King," a formal address.

• "have not regarded" (לָא — lā): Aramaic for "not."

• "you" (לָךְ — lāḵ): To you.

• "they": Referring to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

• "do not serve" (חָיָלָת — ḥāyālāṯ): Aramaic for "they have not heeded," "paid no attention to," or "transgressed against." It signifies active disobedience or disregard.

• "your": Pertaining to the king.

• "gods" (אֱלָהִים — ʾĕlāhîm): Aramaic for "gods," referring to the deities of Babylon, which could include Nebuchadnezzar himself as divine.

• "nor" (וְלָא — wəlā): Conjunction "and not."

• "worship" (סָגֵד — sḡēḏ): Aramaic for "bow down to," "worship," or "prostrate oneself."

• "the golden" (דִּי — dī): Relative pronoun.

• "image" (צְלֵם — ṣelēm): Aramaic for "image" or "likeness," referring to the statue described earlier.

• "which" (דִּי — dī): Relative pronoun.

• "you" (הֲקֵמְתָּ — hăqēməṯā): Aramaic for "you have set up" or "erected." The image was a monument established by royal decree.

• Word Group: "these men, O king, have not regarded you: they do not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.": This phrase is a formal accusation of treason and blasphemy. It highlights a deliberate and public act of defiance against the king's authority and the state religion of Babylon. Their abstention is presented not as a personal preference but as a categorical refusal to obey the king in matters directly related to loyalty to him and his gods. The Aramiac word "ḥāyālāṯ" for "have not regarded" suggests a conscious disregard, not an oversight.

Daniel 3 12 Bonus Section

The naming of the three Jews (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego) with Babylonian names is a form of cultural assimilation that Nebuchadnezzar attempted. However, their adherence to their God proves that external changes in name or custom do not necessarily dictate internal allegiance. The accusers are identified as unnamed Chaldeans. These were likely astrologers or wise men who held positions of authority and perhaps envied the favor Daniel and his companions had received from the king. Their motive is likely jealousy and a desire to see these Jewish youths fall from grace, possibly because Daniel had outperformed them in interpreting dreams and assessing wisdom. The Hebrew word "ḥasīd" (חסִיד) which means devout or holy one, is sometimes used to describe these men, underscoring their distinctness.

Daniel 3 12 Commentary

This verse is critical because it marks the direct confrontation between Babylonian imperial religious policy and Hebrew monotheism. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego's refusal to worship the image is presented as a calculated defiance. Their faithfulness is demonstrated not in grand pronouncements but in their consistent refusal to compromise their covenant relationship with Yahweh. The accusers use precise language to describe their offense: failing to regard the king, refusing to serve Babylonian gods, and neglecting to worship the golden image. This accurately frames their act as a violation of both civil and religious law as defined by Nebuchadnezzar. Their steadfastness in this situation echoes the obedience of prophets and apostles in later scripture who prioritized God's commands over human authority.