King James Version

What Does Daniel 3:14 Mean?

Daniel 3:14 in the King James Version says “Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor wor...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Daniel 3:14 · KJV

Context

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

15

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?

16

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

Read Daniel 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The king's question 'Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?' offers opportunity to recant. Nebuchadnezzar possibly hoped the accusation was false, given these men's valuable service. Yet the question's framing—'do not ye serve my gods'—reveals the issue's theological nature. The king claims ownership of deities ('my gods'), showing pagan understanding of gods as national property or royal assets. The accusation targets both general idolatry ('my gods') and specific state worship (the image), making religious conviction rather than political rebellion the real issue.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern polytheism allowed worshiping multiple deities without theological contradiction. Refusing to honor a king's gods was seen as politically dangerous—divine favor secured military victory and prosperity. Subjects were expected to honor state gods even while maintaining personal patron deities. The Jews' exclusive monotheism made them religiously inflexible in polytheistic societies. Nebuchadnezzar's question shows genuine puzzlement—why would these capable administrators risk everything over religious scruples meaningless to polytheists?

Reflection Questions

  1. How does exclusive loyalty to the one true God conflict with cultures that demand tolerance for all religious claims?
  2. What does the king's ownership language ('my gods') reveal about pagan religion as political tool rather than transcendent truth?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
עָנֵ֤ה1 of 19

“spake”

H6032

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,

נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּר֙2 of 19

“Nebuchadnezzar”

H5020

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

וְאָמַ֣ר3 of 19

“and said”

H560

to speak, to command

לְה֔וֹן4 of 19
H0
הַצְדָּ֕א5 of 19

“unto them Is it true”

H6656

a (sinister) design

שַׁדְרַ֥ךְ6 of 19

“O Shadrach”

H7715

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

מֵישַׁ֖ךְ7 of 19

“Meshach”

H4336

meshak, the babylonian

וַעֲבֵ֣ד8 of 19
H0
נְג֑וֹ9 of 19

“and Abednego”

H5665

abed-nego, the name of azariah

לֵֽאלָהַ֗י10 of 19

“my gods”

H426

god

לָ֥א11 of 19

“do not”

H3809

no, not

אִֽיתֵיכוֹן֙12 of 19

“ye”

H383

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

פָּֽלְחִ֔ין13 of 19

“serve”

H6399

to serve or worship

וּלְצֶ֧לֶם14 of 19

“image”

H6755

an idolatrous figure

דַּהֲבָ֛א15 of 19

“the golden”

H1722

gold

דִּ֥י16 of 19
H1768

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

הֲקֵ֖ימֶת17 of 19

“which I have set”

H6966

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

לָ֥א18 of 19

“do not”

H3809

no, not

סָֽגְדִֽין׃19 of 19

“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 3:14 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 3:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 50:2Daniel 3:1Isaiah 46:1Daniel 4:8Exodus 21:13-14

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