King James Version

What Does Daniel 3:12 Mean?

Daniel 3:12 in the King James Version says “There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; ...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. have: Cald. have set no regard upon thee”

Daniel 3:12 · KJV

Context

10

Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp , sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer , and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:

11

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

12

There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. have: Cald. have set no regard upon thee

13

Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

14

Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? true: or, of purpose

Read Daniel 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Certain Chaldeans maliciously accuse the three Hebrews: 'There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee.' The accusation combines religious and ethnic prejudice with political opportunism. Emphasizing 'Jews whom thou hast set over' stokes resentment over foreigners' authority. 'These men...have not regarded thee' frames religious conviction as political disloyalty. This pattern recurs throughout Scripture—faithful believers accused of undermining state authority when actually maintaining ultimate allegiance to God (cf. Daniel 6; Acts 16:20-21).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Court intrigue and rivalry characterized ancient Near Eastern bureaucracies, where officials competed for favor and position. The Chaldeans likely resented these Jewish exiles promoted over native wise men after their failure to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Daniel 2). Accusations of disloyalty were powerful weapons in absolute monarchies where kings feared rebellion. The requirement to worship the image created opportunity to target these successful foreign administrators. Ancient empires often scapegoated ethnic minorities during political tensions.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does faithfulness to God often get misrepresented as political disloyalty or cultural subversion?
  2. What does the Chaldeans' opportunistic accusation teach about religious persecution often having political and economic motivations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
אִיתַ֞י1 of 30

“There are”

H383

properly, entity; used only as a particle of affirmation, there is

גֻּבְרַיָּ֣א2 of 30

“certain”

H1400

a person

יְהוּדָאיִ֗ן3 of 30

“Jews”

H3062

a jehudaite (or judaite), i.e., jew

דִּֽי4 of 30
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

מַנִּ֤יתָ5 of 30

“thou hast set”

H4483

to count, appoint

יָתְהוֹן֙6 of 30

“whom”

H3487

a sign of the object of a verb

עַל7 of 30

“over”

H5922

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֲבִידַת֙8 of 30

“the affairs”

H5673

labor or business

מְדִינַ֣ת9 of 30

“of the province”

H4083

properly, a judgeship, i.e., jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region

בָּבֶ֔ל10 of 30

“of Babylon”

H895

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

שַׁדְרַ֥ךְ11 of 30

“Shadrach”

H7715

shadrak, the babylonian name of one of daniel's companions

מֵישַׁ֖ךְ12 of 30

“Meshach”

H4336

meshak, the babylonian

וַעֲבֵ֣ד13 of 30
H0
נְג֑וֹ14 of 30

“and Abednego”

H5665

abed-nego, the name of azariah

גֻּבְרַיָּ֣א15 of 30

“certain”

H1400

a person

אִלֵּ֗ךְ16 of 30

“these”

H479

these

לָ֥א17 of 30

“nor”

H3809

no, not

שָׂ֨מֽוּ18 of 30

“have”

H7761

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עֲלָ֤יךְ19 of 30
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מַלְכָּא֙20 of 30

“O king”

H4430

a king

טְעֵ֔ם21 of 30

“regarded”

H2942

properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account (both subjectively and objectively)

לֵֽאלָהָיךְ֙22 of 30

“thy gods”

H426

god

לָ֥א23 of 30

“nor”

H3809

no, not

פָלְחִ֔ין24 of 30

“they serve”

H6399

to serve or worship

וּלְצֶ֧לֶם25 of 30

“image”

H6755

an idolatrous figure

דַּהֲבָ֛א26 of 30

“the golden”

H1722

gold

דִּ֥י27 of 30
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

הֲקֵ֖ימְתָּ28 of 30

“which thou hast set up”

H6966

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לָ֥א29 of 30

“nor”

H3809

no, not

סָגְדִֽין׃30 of 30

“worship”

H5457

to worship

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 3:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 3:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 6:13Daniel 2:49Acts 17:7Proverbs 27:41 Samuel 18:7-11Ecclesiastes 4:4

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Daniel 3 →

Test Your Knowledge

Daniel 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDaniel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Daniel 3 with CommentaryAll Daniel ChaptersComplete Daniel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes