Daniel 3:27

Authorized King James Version

And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּ֠מִֽתְכַּנְּשִׁין
being gathered together
to assemble
#2
אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֞א
And the princes
a satrap or governor of a main province (of persia)
#3
סִגְנַיָּ֣א
governors
a prefect of a province
#4
וּפַחֲוָתָא֮
and captains
a prefect (of a city or small district)
#5
וְהַדָּבְרֵ֣י
counsellors
a vizier
#6
מַלְכָּא֒
and the king's
a king
#7
חָזַ֣יִן
saw
to gaze upon; mentally to dream, be usual (i.e., seem)
#8
לְגֻבְרַיָּ֣א
men
a person
#9
אִלֵּ֡ךְ
these
these
#10
דִּי֩
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#11
לָ֥א
had no
no, not
#12
שְׁלֵ֨ט
power
to rule over
#13
נ֔וּר
of fire
fire
#14
בְּגֶשְׁמְה֗וֹן
upon whose bodies
used in a peculiar sense, the body (probably for the (figuratively) idea of a hard rain)
#15
וּשְׂעַ֤ר
was an hair
hair
#16
רֵֽאשְׁהוֹן֙
of their head
the head; figuratively, the sum
#17
לָ֥א
had no
no, not
#18
הִתְחָרַ֔ךְ
singed
to scorch
#19
וְסַרְבָּלֵיה֖וֹן
were their coats
a cloak
#20
לָ֥א
had no
no, not
#21
שְׁנ֑וֹ
changed
to alter
#22
וְרֵ֣יחַ
the smell
odor (as if blown)
#23
נ֔וּר
of fire
fire
#24
לָ֥א
had no
no, not
#25
עֲדָ֖ת
had passed
to advance, i.e., pass on or continue; causatively, to remove; specifically, to bedeck (i.e., bring an ornament upon)
#26
בְּהֽוֹן׃
H0

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Daniel. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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