King James Version

What Does Daniel 3:21 Mean?

Daniel 3:21 in the King James Version says “Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen , and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen , and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. coats: or, mantles hats: or, turbans”

Daniel 3:21 · KJV

Context

19

Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. full: Cald. filled

20

And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. most: Cald. mighty of strength

21

Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen , and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. coats: or, mantles hats: or, turbans

22

Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. commandment: Cald. word flame: or, spark

23

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The detailed listing of garments—'coats, hosen, hats, and other garments'—emphasizes the haste of execution and the fire's intensity. Normal procedure would remove clothing; executing them fully dressed shows fury overriding standard practice. The detail also prepares readers for the miracle—these flammable materials should have burned immediately, yet later they emerge completely unsinged (v. 27). The phrase 'bound in their coats' shows complete helplessness—unable to move or resist. Their unchanged condition after the furnace will dramatically demonstrate God's comprehensive protection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern clothing included multiple layers. The Aramaic terms describe typical male attire: sarbal (probably tunics or robes), patish (trousers or undergarments), karbelah (caps or turbans), and levush (general clothing). The mention of being bound 'in' these garments emphasizes execution's immediacy—no time even to remove outer clothes. This hasty treatment reflected the king's rage demanding instant compliance with his execution order. The garments' preservation in the furnace would prove supernatural intervention.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the detail about unchanged clothing emphasize the completeness of God's protection even in smallest particulars?
  2. What does the hasty execution reveal about rage-driven human authority versus God's patient, thorough deliverance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
בֵּאדַ֜יִן1 of 13

“Then”

H116

then (of time)

גֻּבְרַיָּ֣א2 of 13

“men”

H1400

a person

אִלֵּ֗ךְ3 of 13

“these”

H479

these

כְּפִ֙תוּ֙4 of 13

“were bound”

H3729

to fetter

בְּסַרְבָּלֵיהוֹן֙5 of 13

“in their coats”

H5622

a cloak

פַּטְּישֵׁיה֔וֹן6 of 13

“their hosen”

H6361

a gown (as if hammered out wide)

וְכַרְבְּלָתְה֖וֹן7 of 13

“and their hats”

H3737

a mantle

וּלְבֻשֵׁיה֑וֹן8 of 13

“and their other garments”

H3831

a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife

וּרְמִ֕יו9 of 13

“and were cast”

H7412

to throw, set, (figuratively) assess

לְגֽוֹא10 of 13

“into the midst”

H1459

the middle

אַתּ֥וּן11 of 13

“furnace”

H861

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

נוּרָ֖א12 of 13

“fiery”

H5135

fire

יָקִֽדְתָּֽא׃13 of 13

“of the burning”

H3345

to burn

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 3:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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