Daniel 3:15

Authorized King James Version

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כְּעַ֞ן
Now
now
#2
וְהֵן֙
if
lo! also there(-fore), (un-)less, whether, but, if
#3
אִֽיתֵיכ֣וֹן
ye be
properly, entity; used only as a particle of affirmation, there is
#4
עֲתִידִ֗ין
ready
prepared
#5
דִּ֣י
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#6
בְעִדָּנָ֡א
that at what time
a set time; technically, a year
#7
דִּֽי
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#8
תִשְׁמְע֡וּן
ye hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#9
קָ֣ל
the sound
a voice or sound
#10
קַרְנָ֣א
of the cornet
a horn (literally or for sound)
#11
מַשְׁרוֹקִיתָ֣א
flute
a (musical) pipe (from its whistling sound)
#12
קַיְת֣רֹס
harp
a lyre
#13
שַׂבְּכָ֡א
sackbut
a lyre
#14
פְּסַנְתֵּרִין֩
psaltery
psalterion; a lyre
#15
וְסוּמְפֹּ֨נְיָ֜ה
and dulcimer
a bagpipe (with a double pipe)
#16
וְכֹ֣ל׀
and all
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#17
זְנֵ֣י
kinds
sort
#18
זְמָרָ֗א
of musick
instrumental music
#19
תִּפְּל֣וּן
ye fall down
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#20
תִסְגְּד֔וּן
and worship
to worship
#21
לְצַלְמָ֣א
the image
an idolatrous figure
#22
דִֽי
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#23
עַבְדֵת֒
which I have made
to do, make, prepare, keep, etc
#24
וְהֵן֙
if
lo! also there(-fore), (un-)less, whether, but, if
#25
לָ֣א
not
no, not
#26
תִסְגְּד֔וּן
and worship
to worship
#27
בַּהּ
H0
#28
שַֽׁעֲתָ֣א
the same hour
properly, a look, i.e., a moment
#29
תִתְרְמ֔וֹן
ye shall be cast
to throw, set, (figuratively) assess
#30
לְגֽוֹא
into the midst
the middle
#31
אַתּ֥וּן
furnace
probably a fire-place, i.e., furnace
#32
נוּרָ֖א
fiery
fire
#33
יָקִֽדְתָּ֑א
of a burning
to burn
#34
וּמַן
and who
who or what (properly, interrogatively, hence, also indefinitely and relatively)
#35
ה֣וּא
he (she or it); self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
#36
אֱלָ֔הּ
is that God
god
#37
דֵּ֥י
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#38
יְשֵֽׁיזְבִנְכ֖וֹן
that shall deliver
to leave, i.e., (causatively) free
#39
מִן
you out
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
#40
יְדָֽי׃
of my hands
hand (indicating power)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Daniel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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