King James Version

What Does Daniel 3:15 Mean?

Daniel 3:15 in the King James Version says “Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp , sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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?

Daniel 3:15 · KJV


Context

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.

17

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nebuchadnezzar offers another chance: 'if ye be ready...when ye hear the sound of the cornet...ye fall down and worship.' The conditional 'if ye be ready' suggests merciful reconsideration. But the arrogant challenge 'who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?' reveals utter confidence in human power over divine authority. This directly challenges Yahweh's ability and willingness to save, inviting divine response. The king's boast echoes Assyrian Rabshakeh's earlier taunt against Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:35). Both times, human pride challenging God's power results in stunning divine vindication. Nebuchadnezzar sets himself up for devastating humiliation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern warfare and religion were intertwined—military victory demonstrated divine superiority. Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Judah and temple destruction could be interpreted as Marduk defeating Yahweh. The king's challenge reflects common ancient thinking: gods' power was demonstrated through their peoples' military success. Babylon's dominance over all nations seemingly proved Babylonian gods' supremacy. The king's question isn't abstract theology but concrete political reality—what god can match Babylonian military might?

Reflection Questions

  1. How does human pride inevitably invite divine response when it directly challenges God's power and character?
  2. What does the king's equation of political-military power with divine authority reveal about worldly thinking versus spiritual reality?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 40 words
כְּעַ֞ן1 of 40

Now

H3705

now

וְהֵן֙2 of 40

if

H2006

lo! also there(-fore), (un-)less, whether, but, if

אִֽיתֵיכ֣וֹן3 of 40

ye be

H383

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

עֲתִידִ֗ין4 of 40

ready

H6263

prepared

דִּ֣י5 of 40
H1768

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

בְעִדָּנָ֡א6 of 40

that at what time

H5732

a set time; technically, a year

דִּֽי7 of 40
H1768

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

תִשְׁמְע֡וּן8 of 40

ye hear

H8086

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

קָ֣ל9 of 40

the sound

H7032

a voice or sound

קַרְנָ֣א10 of 40

of the cornet

H7162

a horn (literally or for sound)

מַשְׁרוֹקִיתָ֣א11 of 40

flute

H4953

a (musical) pipe (from its whistling sound)

קַיְת֣רֹס12 of 40

harp

H7030

a lyre

שַׂבְּכָ֡א13 of 40

sackbut

H5443

a lyre

פְּסַנְתֵּרִין֩14 of 40

psaltery

H6460

psalterion; a lyre

וְסוּמְפֹּ֨נְיָ֜ה15 of 40

and dulcimer

H5481

a bagpipe (with a double pipe)

וְכֹ֣ל׀16 of 40

and all

H3606

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

זְנֵ֣י17 of 40

kinds

H2178

sort

זְמָרָ֗א18 of 40

of musick

H2170

instrumental music

תִּפְּל֣וּן19 of 40

ye fall down

H5308

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

תִסְגְּד֔וּן20 of 40

and worship

H5457

to worship

לְצַלְמָ֣א21 of 40

the image

H6755

an idolatrous figure

דִֽי22 of 40
H1768

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

עַבְדֵת֒23 of 40

which I have made

H5648

to do, make, prepare, keep, etc

וְהֵן֙24 of 40

if

H2006

lo! also there(-fore), (un-)less, whether, but, if

לָ֣א25 of 40

not

H3809

no, not

תִסְגְּד֔וּן26 of 40

and worship

H5457

to worship

בַּהּ27 of 40
H0
שַֽׁעֲתָ֣א28 of 40

the same hour

H8160

properly, a look, i.e., a moment

תִתְרְמ֔וֹן29 of 40

ye shall be cast

H7412

to throw, set, (figuratively) assess

לְגֽוֹא30 of 40

into the midst

H1459

the middle

אַתּ֥וּן31 of 40

furnace

H861

probably a fire-place, i.e., furnace

נוּרָ֖א32 of 40

fiery

H5135

fire

יָקִֽדְתָּ֑א33 of 40

of a burning

H3345

to burn

וּמַן34 of 40

and who

H4479

who or what (properly, interrogatively, hence, also indefinitely and relatively)

ה֣וּא35 of 40
H1932

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

אֱלָ֔הּ36 of 40

is that God

H426

god

דֵּ֥י37 of 40
H1768

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

יְשֵֽׁיזְבִנְכ֖וֹן38 of 40

that shall deliver

H7804

to leave, i.e., (causatively) free

מִן39 of 40

you out

H4481

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

יְדָֽי׃40 of 40

of my hands

H3028

hand (indicating power)


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 3:15 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 3:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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