Daniel 3:23

"Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego."

Key Reflection

This verse highlights the deadly consequences of disobeying a king's command, emphasizing that even attempting to save the faithful can result in harm. The extreme heat symbolizes the severe punishment for those who defy divine will by trying to rescue the three men who were commanded to remain loyal to God.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

And these three men - fell down bound ... -That is, the flame did not loosen the cords by which they had been fastened. The fact that they were seen to fall into the furnace “bound,” made the miracle the more remarkable that they should be seen walking loose in the midst of the fire. In the Septuagint, Syriac, Arabic, and Latin Vulgate, there follow in this place sixty-eight verses, containing “The Song of the Three Holy Children.” This is not in the Chaldee, and its origin is unknown. It is with entire propriety placed in the Apocrypha, as being no part of the inspired canon.

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