Daniel 3:19

Authorized King James Version

Then 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 one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בֵּאדַ֨יִן
Then
then (of time)
#2
נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֜ר
was Nebuchadnezzar
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
#3
הִתְמְלִ֣י
full
to fill
#4
חֱמָ֗א
of fury
anger
#5
וּצְלֵ֤ם
and the form
an idolatrous figure
#6
אַנְפּ֙וֹהִי֙
of his visage
the face
#7
אֶשְׁתַּנִּ֔ו
was changed
to alter
#8
עַ֛ל
against
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
שַׁדְרַ֥ךְ
Shadrach
shadrak, the babylonian name of one of daniel's companions
#10
מֵישַׁ֖ךְ
Meshach
meshak, the babylonian
#11
וַעֲבֵ֣ד
H0
#12
נְג֑וֹ
and Abednego
abed-nego, the name of azariah
#13
עָנֵ֤ה
therefore he spake
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#14
וְאָמַר֙
and commanded
to speak, to command
#15
לְמֵזְיֵֽהּ׃
that they should heat
to kindle; (by implication) to heat
#16
לְאַתּוּנָ֔א
the furnace
probably a fire-place, i.e., furnace
#17
חַ֨ד
one
as card. one; as article single; as an ordinal, first; adverbially, at once
#18
שִׁבְעָ֔ה
seven times
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#19
עַ֛ל
against
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#20
דִּ֥י
than
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#21
חֲזֵ֖ה
it was wont
to gaze upon; mentally to dream, be usual (i.e., seem)
#22
לְמֵזְיֵֽהּ׃
that they should heat
to kindle; (by implication) to heat

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 revelation 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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