King James Version

What Does Daniel 3:5 Mean?

Daniel 3:5 in the King James Version says “That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp , sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, y...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp , sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: dulcimer: or, singing: Cald. symphony”

Daniel 3:5 · KJV

Context

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

5

That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp , sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: dulcimer: or, singing: Cald. symphony

6

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

7

Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp , sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Read Daniel 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The musical instruments listed—'cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick'—create an overwhelming sensory experience designed to elicit compliance. The Aramaic terms indicate a sophisticated orchestra, suggesting calculated psychological manipulation. When this impressive music sounds, 'ye fall down and worship the golden image' is commanded. The falling prostration demonstrates total submission. This passage reveals how totalitarian systems use pageantry, sensory manipulation, and social pressure to enforce conformity. The three Hebrew children's coming refusal becomes even more remarkable against this orchestrated compliance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Babylonian civilization was highly cultured, with advanced musical traditions. Archaeological discoveries include instruments and cuneiform texts describing musical theory and practice. Public worship ceremonies employed elaborate music to create emotional impact and religious fervor. The variety of instruments—wind (cornet, flute), string (harp, psaltery), and percussion—produced rich, complex sound. Coordinated musical cues for mass prostration were common in ancient religious rituals, creating psychological pressure for conformity through spectacle and social expectation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do sensory manipulation and spectacle in modern culture work to enforce conformity to ungodly values?
  2. What does the emphasis on musical pageantry teach about the difference between genuine worship and coerced compliance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
בְּעִדָּנָ֡א1 of 21

“That at what time”

H5732

a set time; technically, a year

דִּֽי2 of 21
H1768

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

תִשְׁמְע֡וּן3 of 21

“ye hear”

H8086

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

קָ֣ל4 of 21

“the sound”

H7032

a voice or sound

קַרְנָ֣א5 of 21

“of the cornet”

H7162

a horn (literally or for sound)

מַ֠שְׁרוֹקִיתָא6 of 21

“flute”

H4953

a (musical) pipe (from its whistling sound)

קַיתְר֨וֹס7 of 21

“harp”

H7030

a lyre

סַבְּכָ֤א8 of 21

“sackbut”

H5443

a lyre

פְּסַנְתֵּרִין֙9 of 21

“psaltery”

H6460

psalterion; a lyre

סוּמְפֹּ֣נְיָ֔ה10 of 21

“dulcimer”

H5481

a bagpipe (with a double pipe)

וְכֹ֖ל11 of 21

“and all”

H3606

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

זְנֵ֣י12 of 21

“kinds”

H2178

sort

זְמָרָ֑א13 of 21

“of musick”

H2170

instrumental music

תִּפְּל֤וּן14 of 21

“ye fall down”

H5308

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

וְתִסְגְּדוּן֙15 of 21

“and worship”

H5457

to worship

לְצֶ֣לֶם16 of 21

“image”

H6755

an idolatrous figure

דַּהֲבָ֔א17 of 21

“the golden”

H1722

gold

דִּ֥י18 of 21
H1768

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

הֲקֵ֖ים19 of 21

“hath set up”

H6966

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

נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֥ר20 of 21

“that 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 3:5 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 3:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 3:15Daniel 3:10Daniel 3:7

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