BibleWord.ai› Bible› Daniel› Chapter 3› Verse 20

Daniel 3:20

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Daniel 3:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And 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.
Daniel 3:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Daniel 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king.
18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
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.
20And 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.
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.
22Therefore because the king`s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.
23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
← Daniel 3:19Daniel 3:21 →
← Full Chapter 3 Daniel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army, etc.] The most famous for courage of mind, and strength of body, that were in all his army: to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego either their hands or their feet, or both; unless it can be thought that they were all three bound together in one bundle, and so cast into the furnace; which is not improbable, as Gejerus observes; seeing the king afterwards wondered to see them walk separately in the furnace: there was no need to bind them, for they would not have resisted; and if he ordered this to secure them from the power of their God, it was vain and foolish: and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace: if they were all three…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army - Margin, “mighty of strength.” Chaldee, “And to mighty men, mighty men of strength who were in his army, he said.” He employed the strongest men that could be found for this purpose. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“To bind - What did he think these three men would have refused? Or that their God would defend them from his power, or that if he had, his mighty men could have prevailed? None of all this was the case; for God purposed to shew his power when the king did his worst, and in the thing wherein he dealt proudly, to be above him. Daniel 3:23”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“most mighty men: Chal, mighty of strength to bind: Dan 3:15; Act 12:4, Act 12:5, Act 16:23, Act 16:25 Daniel 3:21”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Daniel 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification