King James Version

What Does Daniel 3:7 Mean?

Daniel 3:7 in the King James Version says “Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp , sackbut, psaltery, and all kind... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Daniel 3:7 · KJV


Context

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.

8

Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

9

They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The phrase "at that time" marks the moment of testing—when music sounded, immediate worship was required. The comprehensive listing of instruments (repeated throughout the chapter) creates a sense of overwhelming sensory manipulation through coordinated musical performance. Ancient cultures understood music's power to evoke emotion, create unity, and bypass rational thought, making it effective for inducing conformist behavior.

"All the people, the nations, and the languages" emphasizes universal compliance—the empire's ethnic diversity united in idolatrous worship. The threefold description (people, nations, languages) parallels Revelation's descriptions of end-times apostasy when "all that dwell upon the earth shall worship" the beast (Revelation 13:8). The verb "fell down and worshipped" describes both physical prostration and spiritual submission—outward gesture signifying inward allegiance.

This verse reveals the frightening ease with which masses comply with evil when backed by authority, spectacle, and social pressure. Only three men (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego) refused among thousands present—a sobering reminder that the faithful are often a tiny remnant. The phrase "the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up" (repeated for emphasis) identifies the object as man-made, highlighting the absurdity of worshiping human creations. This points to Christ, whom every knee will worship—not by coercion but in recognition of His divine nature (Philippians 2:10-11).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Music played a crucial role in ancient Near Eastern religious ceremonies, creating emotional atmosphere and signaling ritual participation. The instruments listed (cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer) represent wind, string, and percussion instruments common in Babylonian culture. Coordinated musical performance at state occasions demonstrated the empire's sophistication and created powerful psychological pressure for conformity.

Mass public worship ceremonies were common in polytheistic cultures, serving both religious and political functions. They reinforced social cohesion, demonstrated loyalty to the king, and symbolically unified diverse populations under common religious observance. Refusing participation marked one as both religiously deviant and politically disloyal, justifying severe punishment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does music's emotional power make it effective for inducing conformist behavior, and how should this awareness affect what we allow to shape our affections?
  2. What does the universal compliance of "all the people" teach about the rarity of genuine faithfulness when tested by overwhelming social and political pressure?
  3. How does this mass idolatry prefigure end-times apostasy described in Revelation, and how should this shape our understanding of future persecution?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
כָּֽל1 of 30

all

H3606

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

קֳבֵ֣ל2 of 30

Therefore

H6903

(adverbially) in front of; usually (with other particles) on account of, so as, since, hence

דְּנָ֡ה3 of 30
H1836

this

בֵּהּ4 of 30
H0
זִמְנָ֡א5 of 30

at that time

H2166

an appointed occasion

דִּ֥י6 of 30

when

H1768

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

שָֽׁמְעִ֣ין7 of 30

heard

H8086

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

כָּֽל8 of 30

all

H3606

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

עַֽמְמַיָּ֜א9 of 30

the people

H5972

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

קָ֣ל10 of 30

the sound

H7032

a voice or sound

קַרְנָא֩11 of 30

of the cornet

H7162

a horn (literally or for sound)

מַשְׁר֨וֹקִיתָ֜א12 of 30

flute

H4953

a (musical) pipe (from its whistling sound)

קַיְת֤רֹס13 of 30

harp

H7030

a lyre

שַׂבְּכָא֙14 of 30

sackbut

H5443

a lyre

פְּסַנְטֵרִ֔ין15 of 30

psaltery

H6460

psalterion; a lyre

כָּֽל16 of 30

all

H3606

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

זְנֵ֣י17 of 30

kinds

H2178

sort

זְמָרָ֑א18 of 30

of musick

H2170

instrumental music

נָֽפְלִ֨ין19 of 30

fell down

H5308

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

כָּֽל20 of 30

all

H3606

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

עַֽמְמַיָּ֜א21 of 30

the people

H5972

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֻמַיָּ֣א22 of 30

the nations

H524

a collection, i.e., community of persons

וְלִשָּׁנַיָּ֗א23 of 30

and the languages

H3961

speech, i.e., a nation

סָֽגְדִין֙24 of 30

and worshipped

H5457

to worship

לְצֶ֣לֶם25 of 30

image

H6755

an idolatrous figure

דַּהֲבָ֔א26 of 30

the golden

H1722

gold

דִּ֥י27 of 30

when

H1768

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

הֲקֵ֖ים28 of 30

had set up

H6966

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

נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֥ר29 of 30

that Nebuchadnezzar

H5020

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

מַלְכָּֽא׃30 of 30

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 3:7 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 3:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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