---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Daniel 3:1. Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold — It is supposed that the history given here did not occur till the close, or near the end"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/daniel/3"
---

Verse [Daniel 3:1](../../../kjv/daniel/3/1). ***Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold*** — It is supposed that the history given here did not occur till the close, or near the end, of Nebuchadnezzar's reign. For it was after his insanity, as we see [Daniel 4:33-36](../../../kjv/daniel/4/33-36), and this happened near the close of his reign. The authorized version, which is followed in the margin, fixes the date of this event *seventeen* years earlier, and *ten* years before the king's insanity. A few observations on this image may be necessary:-
1. It is not likely that this image was in *human* form - the dimensions show the improbability of this; for what proportion is there between *sixty* cubits (*ninety* feet) in length, and *six* cubits (*nine* feet) in breadth?
2. It is not likely that this image was *all of gold*; for this would have required more of this precious metal than the whole *province* of Babylon could produce; for as I suppose the *sixty* cubits apply to the perpendicular *altitude*, so I take it for granted that the *six* cubits intend the *diameter*. Now a column of gold of this height in diameter, upon the supposition that the pillar was circular, contains *five thousand seven hundred and* *twenty-five and a half* cubic feet; and as there are *nineteen* *thousand* avoirdupois ounces in a cubic foot, the weight of the whole pillar would be *eight million two hundred and sixty-two* *thousand eight hundred and six* pounds, *ten ounces* of gold.
3. It might have been a *pillar* on which an *image* of the god *Bel* was erected. The image itself might be of *gold*, or more probably *gilt*, that is, covered with *thin plates* of gold, and on this account it might be called the *golden image*; and most probably the height of the image may be confounded with the height of the pillar. Or perhaps it was no more than a pillar, on the sides of which their gods and sacred emblems were engraven, surmounted with *Bel* on the top.
***The plain of Dura*** — The situation of this place is not exactly known; there was a town or city called *Dura*, or *Doura*, in Mesopotamia, near the Tigris.

Verse [Daniel 3:2](../../../kjv/daniel/3/2). ***Sent to gather together the princes*** — It is not easy to show what these different offices were, as it is difficult to ascertain the meaning of the *Chaldee* words. *Parkhurst* analyzes them thus: -
***The PRINCES*** — אחשדרפניא *achashdarpenaiya*, from אחש *achash,* *great* or *eminent*, and דר *dar*, "to go about freely," and פנים *panim*, "the presence." Satraps or privy counsellors who had free access to the presence of the king.
***The GOVERNORS*** — סגניא *signaiya, lieutenants* or *viceroys*, for סגן *sagan*, among the Hebrews, was the name of the high priest's *deputy*.
***The CAPTAINS*** — פחותא *pachavatha*, from פח *pach, to extend*, because set over those provinces that had been *annexed* to the kingdom by conquest. *Pashas* - This word and office are still in use in Asiatic countries. By corruption we pronounce *bashaw*.
***The JUDGES*** — אדרגזריא *adargazeraiya*, from אדר *adar, noble* or *magnificent*, and גזר *gazar, to decree*. The nobles, the assistants to the king in making laws, statutes, c. The same probably in Babylon, as the *House of Lords* in England.
***The TREASURERS*** — גדבריא *gedaberaiya*, from גנז *ganaz*, (the ז *zain* being changed into ד *daleth*, according to the custom of the *Chaldee*,) to *treasure up*, and *bar, pure*. Those who kept the current coin, or were over the *mint* the treasurers of the exchequer in Babylon.
***The COUNSELLORS*** — דתבריא *dethaberaiya*, from דת *dath*, a *statute*, and בר *bar*, "to declare the meaning of the law;" for in all ages and countries there has been what is termed *the glorious* *uncertainty of the law*; and therefore there must be a class of men whose business it is to explain it. What a pity that law cannot be tendered to the people as other sciences are, in plain, unsophisticated, and intelligible terms, and by persons whose business it is to show what is *just* and *right*, and not pervert *truth, righteousness*, and *judgment*.
***The SHERIFFS*** — *תפתיא* tiphtaye, from תפת *taphath*, in Hebrew, שפת *shaphath*, "to set in order." Probably civil magistrates.
***And all the rulers of the provinces*** — All other state or civil officers, not only to grace the solemnity, but to maintain order. My old Bible renders them: *Satrapis, or wiise men. Magistratis.* *Jugis. Duykis, Tyrauntis, or stronge men. Prefectis, and alle the* *Princes of Cuntreese.*
**

Verse [Daniel 3:4](../../../kjv/daniel/3/4). ***Then a herald cried aloud*** — כרוזא קרא בחיל *caroza kara* *bechayil*, "a crier called with might." *A bedel cried mightili*. - Old MS. Bible.

Verse [Daniel 3:5](../../../kjv/daniel/3/5). ***The sound of the CORNET*** — There is not less difficulty in ascertaining the precise meaning of these *musical instruments* than there is in the *offices* in [Daniel 3:2](../../../kjv/daniel/3/2). קרנא karna, here translated *cornet*, is the common *blowing horn*, which makes a deep and hollow sound, as well as one shrill and piercing.
***FLUTE*** — משרוקיתא *mashrokitha*, from שרק *sharak, to* *whistle, shriek*. A wind instrument which made a strong and shrill noise, such as the *hautbois* or *clarionet*.
***HARP*** — קיתרס *kithros, cytharus*; κιθαρα. Some kind of stringed instrument. It seems to be formed from the Greek word.
***SACKBUT*** — סבכא *sabbecha*. The Greek has it σαμβυκη, from which our word *sackbut*, from סבך *sabach*, to *interweave*; probably on account of the number of chords, for it seems to have been a species of harp.
***PSALTERY*** — פסנתרין *pesanterin*; Greek, ψαλτηριον. A stringed instrument, struck with a plectrum; that called *santeer* in Egypt is probably the same. Dr. *Russel* says: "It is a large triangle, and has two bottoms two inches from each other, with about twenty catguts of different sizes." It was the ancient *psalterium*, and most probably the same as *David's harp*.
***DULCIMER*** — סומפניה *sumponeyah*; Greek, συμφωνεια. Probably a kind of *tamboor, tambourine*, or *tomtom drum*. It does not mean the same as the Greek *symphonia*, which signifies a *concert* or *harmony* *of many instruments*, for here one kind of instrument only is intended.
***All kinds of music*** — כל זני זמרא *col zeney zemara, the whole* *stock*, or *band, of music*; the preceding being the chief, the most common, and the most sonorous. My old MS. Bible has, *Trumpe, and* *Pipe, and Harpe: Sambuke, Santrie, and Synfonye, and al kynde of* *musykes*.

Verse [Daniel 3:6](../../../kjv/daniel/3/6). ***Shall the same hour*** — This is the first place in the Old Testament where we find the division of time into *hours*. The Greeks say that *Anaximander* was the inventor. He had it probably from the Chaldeans, among whom this division was in use long before Anaximander was born.
***Be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.*** — This was an ancient mode of punishment among the Chaldeans, if we may credit the tradition that Abram was cast into such a fire by this idolatrous people because he would not worship their idols.

Verse [Daniel 3:8](../../../kjv/daniel/3/8). ***Accused the Jews.*** — That is, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. The other Jews were left unnoticed; and probably at this time Daniel was too high to be touched; but we may rest assured that he was not found among these idolaters, see [Daniel 3:12](../../../kjv/daniel/3/12).

Verse 16. ***We*****are*****not careful*** — We have no need to put thee to any farther trouble; we have made up our minds on this subject, and have our answer ready: Be it known unto thee, WE WILL NOT SERVE THY GODS. This was as honest as it was decisive.

Verse 17. ***If it be so*** — Thou mayest cast us into the furnace; the terror of it has no effect on our minds to induce us to alter the resolution we have taken, nor shall the fire change our purpose. We serve a God who is able to deliver us. Should he not, we are equally determined; but we are satisfied that in some way or other he will deliver us out of thy hand. Thy power cannot affect us in the kingdom of our God to which we shall ascend from thy furnace, should he permit the fire to kindle upon us. "Render to Caesar the things which are Caesar's," is a maxim of Jesus Christ; but when Caesar arrogates to himself the things that are the Lord's, then, and in such cases, his authority is to be resisted. God does not desire Caesar's things; Caesar's must not have the things of God.

Verse 19. ***Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury*** — How strange is this, after having had so many proofs of the supremacy of Jehovah! He had seen how God poured contempt upon his authority in the case of the *three* Hebrews, and yet he will try his strength once more! How infatuated is man!
***Seven times more*** — As hot as it could be made. *Seven* expresses the great intensity of the heat.

Verse 20. ***The most mighty men*** — The generals, or chief officers of his army; not *strong* men, there was no need of such.

Verse 21. ***Their hats*** — This word, *hat*, is found only in this place in the Old Testament. The word סרבל *sarbal* properly means an outer garment. *Herodotus*, who lived about *one hundred* years after Daniel, says, "the dress of the Babylonians consisted of a tunic of linen reaching down to the feet; over this a tunic of woollen; and over all a white short cloak or mantle, χλανιδιον; and on their heads they wore *turbans*, μιτρησι." Following this, Mr. *Parkhurst* translates the verse thus: "Then these three men were bound [בסרבליהון *besarbaleyhon*] in their CLOAKS, [פמישיהון *patesheyhon*] their TURBANS, [וכרבלתהון *vecharbelathehon*] and in their UPPER (woollen) TUNICS, [ולבושיהון *ulebushehon*] and their UNDER (linen) TUNICS." And as, according to this interpretation, their *sarbaley* were their *outermost garments*, we see the propriety with which it is observed at [Daniel 3:27](../../../kjv/daniel/3/27) that these *were not changed* by the fire.

Verse 23. ***And these three men - fell down bound*** — There is a most evident want of connexion between this and the following verse; and it is between these verses that the apocryphal Song of the Three Children, as it is called, has been inserted by St. Jerome and others; but with this note: Quae sequuntur in Hebraeis voluminibus non reperi; "What follows I have not found in the Hebrew books." And then begins, "They walked in the midst of the flame, praising God, and blessing the Lord." The *Septuagint* and *Arabic* read the *twenty-fourth* verse thus: "Then Nebuchadnezzar heard them singing praise, and was astonished." To connect the two verses *Houbigant* adds two verses found in the *Vulgate*, which are the *forty-ninth* and the *twenty-third*: "But an angel of the Lord went down with Azariah and his companions into the furnace, and drove out the flame of fire from the furnace; and they walked in the midst of the furnace." This verse (the *forty-ninth*) has been added to show the *reason* of Nebuchadnezzar's *astonishment*, and also to account for the appearance of a *fourth* person in the furnace, as in [Daniel 3:25](../../../kjv/daniel/3/25).

Verse 25. ***Is like the Son of God.*** — A most improper translation. What notion could this idolatrous king have of the *Lord Jesus* *Christ*? for so the place is understood by thousands. בר אלהין *bar* *elahin* signifies *a son of the gods*, that is, a Divine person or *angel*; and so the king calls him in [Daniel 3:28](../../../kjv/daniel/3/28): "God hath sent his ANGEL, and delivered his servants." And though even from this some still contend that it was the *Angel of the covenant*, yet the Babylonish king knew just as much of the one as he did of the other. No other ministration was necessary; a single angel from heaven was quite sufficient to answer this purpose, as that which stopped the mouths of the lions when Daniel was cast into their den.

Verse 27. ***Upon whose bodies the fire had no pouter*** — The heathens boasted that their priests could walk on burning coals unhurt; and *Virgil* mentions this of the priests of Apollo of Soracte: -
Summe Deum, sancti custos Soractis Apollo!
Quem primi colimus, cui pineus ardor acervo
Pascitur; et medium, freti pietate, per ignem
Cultores multa premimus vestigia pruna.
VIRG. *AEn*. xi. 785.

O Phoebus, guardian of Soracte's woods
And shady hills; a god above the gods;
To whom our natives pay the rites divine,
And burn whole crackling groves of hallowed pine;
*Walk through the fire* in honour of thy name,
*Unhurt, unsinged*, and *sacred from the flame*.
PITTS.

But *Varro* tells us that they anointed the soles of their feet with a species of unguent that preserved them from being burnt. Very lately a female showed many feats of this kind, putting red hot iron upon her arms, breasts, c., and passing it over her hair without the slightest inconvenience but in the case of the three Hebrews all was supernatural, and the king and his officers well knew it.

Verse 28. ***Blessed be the God of Shadrach, &c.*** — Here is a noble testimony from a heathen. And what produced it? The intrepidly pious conduct of these three noble Jews. Had they been time-servers, the name of the true God had not been known in Babylon. What honour does the Lord put on them that are steadfast in the faith!

Verse 29. ***Speak any thing amiss*** — Though by the decree the king does not oblige the people to worship the true God, yet he obliges them to treat him with reverence.

Verse [Daniel 3:30](../../../kjv/daniel/3/30). ***Then the king promoted, &c.*** — He restored them to the offices which they held before the charge of disobedience and treason was brought against them.
At the end of this verse the *Septuagint* add, "And he advanced them to be governors over all the Jews that were in his kingdom." This may be the meaning of the latter verse. They were more likely to be set over the *Jews* than over the *Chaldeans*.

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