King James Version

What Does Daniel 3:2 Mean?

Daniel 3:2 in the King James Version says “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treas...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.”

Daniel 3:2 · KJV

Context

1

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

2

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

3

Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4

Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, aloud: Cald. with might it: Cald. they command

Read Daniel 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The extensive list of officials—'princes, governors, captains, judges, treasurers, counsellors, sheriffs, and all rulers of the provinces'—emphasizes the ceremony's comprehensive scope. Every level of bureaucracy must attend, ensuring total governmental participation in state religion. This represents the totalitarian impulse to control not just behavior but worship and allegiance. The assembly's diversity (regional, military, judicial, financial leaders) shows the empire's vast reach. Requiring officials' presence tests loyalty—attendance implies consent to the image's worship. Absence would constitute political defiance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern empires maintained complex bureaucracies with specialized roles. Archaeological discoveries including Babylonian administrative texts confirm extensive governmental structures. Mass gatherings of officials served multiple purposes: asserting imperial unity, demonstrating the king's power, requiring public loyalty oaths, and disseminating policy. Such ceremonies were common at building dedications, military victories, and royal accessions. Nebuchadnezzar used these events to consolidate power and enforce religious conformity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does requiring universal participation in state religious ceremonies test and compromise individual conscience?
  2. What does the comprehensiveness of the official list teach about totalitarian systems' drive to eliminate all spheres of non-conformity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֥ר1 of 21

“Then Nebuchadnezzar”

H5020

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

מַלְכָּֽא׃2 of 21

“the king”

H4430

a king

שְׁלַ֡ח3 of 21

“sent”

H7972

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

לְמִכְנַ֣שׁ׀4 of 21

“to gather together”

H3673

to assemble

לַֽאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּ֡א5 of 21

“the princes”

H324

a satrap or governor of a main province (of persia)

סִגְנַיָּ֣א6 of 21

“the governors”

H5460

a prefect of a province

וּֽפַחֲוָתָ֡א7 of 21

“and the captains”

H6347

a prefect (of a city or small district)

אֲדַרְגָּזְרַיָּא֩8 of 21

“the judges”

H148

a chief diviner, or astrologer

גְדָ֨בְרַיָּ֤א9 of 21

“the treasurers”

H1411

a treasurer

דְּתָבְרַיָּא֙10 of 21

“the counsellors”

H1884

meaning one skilled in law; a judge

תִּפְתָּיֵ֔א11 of 21

“the sheriffs”

H8614

judicial, i.e., a lawyer

וְכֹ֖ל12 of 21

“and all”

H3606

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

שִׁלְטֹנֵ֣י13 of 21

“the rulers”

H7984

a ruler

מְדִֽינָתָ֑א14 of 21

“of the provinces”

H4083

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

לְמֵתֵא֙15 of 21

“to come”

H858

to come, to bring

לַחֲנֻכַּ֣ת16 of 21

“to the dedication”

H2597

consecration

צַלְמָ֔א17 of 21

“of the image”

H6755

an idolatrous figure

דִּ֥י18 of 21
H1768

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

הֲקֵ֖ים19 of 21

“had set up”

H6966

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

נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֥ר20 of 21

“Then Nebuchadnezzar”

H5020

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

מַלְכָּֽא׃21 of 21

“the king”

H4430

a king

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 3:2 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 3:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 3:27Proverbs 29:12Daniel 6:1-4Daniel 6:6-7Numbers 25:2Exodus 32:4-6

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