New King James Version
Daniel 3:16
16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
Daniel 3:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
- New International Version (NIV)Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.
Context of Daniel 3:16
14Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? 15Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
Read all of Daniel 3Daniel 3:16 word by word
עֲנ֗וֹ שַׁדְרַ֤ךְ מֵישַׁךְ֙ וַעֲבֵ֣ד נְג֔וֹ וְאָמְרִ֖ין לְמַלְכָּ֑א נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֔ר לָֽא־חַשְׁחִ֨ין אֲנַ֧חְנָה עַל־דְּנָ֛ה פִּתְגָ֖ם לַהֲתָבוּתָֽךְ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Shadrachשַׁדְרַךְshadrak · ShadrachH7715
- Meshachמֵישַׁךְmêyshak · MeshachH4336
- and Abed–negoעֲבֵד נְגוֹ‛ăbêd negô' · AbednegoH5665
- answeredעֲנָה‛ănâh · to answerH6032
- and saidאֲמַר'ămar · to sayH560
- to the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4430
- O Nebuchadnezzarנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר, נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּרnebûkkadnetstsar · NebuchadnezzarH5020
- weאֲנַ֫חְנָא'ănachnâ' 'ănachnâh · weH586
- notלָאlâ' lâh · notH3809
- carefulחֲשַׁחchăshach · to needH2818
- to answerתּוּבtûb · to return: replyH8421
- thee inעַל‛al · uponH5922
- thisדְּנָהdên · thisH1836
- matterפִּתְגָםpithgâm · edictH6600
Commentaries on Daniel 3:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16We are not careful - We have no need to put thee to any farther trouble; we have made up our minds on this subject, and have our answer ready: Be it known unto thee, We Will Not Serve Thy Gods. This was as honest as it was decisive.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king - They appear to have answered promptly, and without hesitation, showing that they had carefully considered the subject, and that with them it was a matter of settled and intelligent principle. But they did it in a respectful manner, though they were firm. They neither reviled the monarch nor his gods. They used no reproachful words respecting the image which he had set up, or any of the idols…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-18Verses 8-18 True devotion calms the spirit, quiets and softens it, but superstition and devotion to false gods inflame men's passions. The matter is put into a little compass, Turn, or burn. Proud men are still ready to say, as Nebuchadnezzar, Who is the Lord, that I should fear his power? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not hesitate whether they should comply or not. Life or death were not to be considered. Those that would avoid sin, must not parley…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-18The three men declared their loyalty to God above all else. They trusted the God who had saved the entire nation of Israel from Pharaoh's power (Exodus 18:10). God later showed that those who stay faithful until death will be saved even after they have died (Daniel 12:1–3).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. not careful to answer thee--rather, "We have no need to answer thee"; thou art determined on thy side, and our mind is made up not to worship the image: there is therefore no use in our arguing as if we could be shaken from our principles. Hesitation, or parleying with sin, is fatal; unhesitating decision is the only safety, where the path of duty is clear (Mt 10:19, 28).Read the comment
Topics related to Daniel 3:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Daniel 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries