New Living Translation
Daniel 3:18
18But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Daniel 3:18 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
- New International Version (NIV)But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
- New King James Version (NKJV)But 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.”
Context of Daniel 3:18
16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” 19Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.
Read all of Daniel 3Daniel 3:18 word by word
וְהֵ֣ן לָ֔א יְדִ֥יעַ לֶהֱוֵא־לָ֖ךְ מַלְכָּ֑א דִּ֤י לֵֽאלָהָךְ֙ לָא־אִיתַ֣נָא פָֽלְחִ֔ין וּלְצֶ֧לֶם דַּהֲבָ֛א דִּ֥י הֲקֵ֖ימְתָּ לָ֥א נִסְגֻּֽד׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- But ifהֵןhên · ifH2006
- notלָאlâ' lâh · notH3809
- be itהֲוָאhâvâ' hâvâh · to beH1934
- knownיְדַעyeda‛ · to knowH3046
- unto thee, O kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4430
- that we willאִיתַי'îythay · there isH383
- serveפְּלַחpelach · to serveH6399
- thy godsאֱלָהּ'ĕlâhh · godH426
- worshipסְגִ֑דsegid · to do homageH5457
- the goldenדְּהַבdehab · goldH1722
- imageצְלֵםtselem tselem · imageH6755
- which thou hast set upקוּםqûm · to stand: establishH6966
Cross-references for Daniel 3:18
- Job 13:15God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.
- Proverbs 28:1The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions.
- Isaiah 51:12“I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear?
- Matthew 10:28“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Matthew 16:2He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow;
- Luke 12:3Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!
- Acts 4:10Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.
- Acts 5:29But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.
- Revelation 2:10Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
- Revelation 12:11And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
- Exodus 20:3“You must not have any other god but me.
- Leviticus 19:4“Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God.
Commentaries on Daniel 3:18
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18But if not - That is, “if he should “not” deliver us; if it should “not” occur that he would protect us, and save us from that heated oven: whatever may be the result in regard to us, our determination is settled.” Be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods - This answer is firm and noble. It showed that their minds were made up, and that it was with them a matter of “principle” not to worship false gods. The state of mind which is…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. 1818. But if not, &c.--connected with Da 3:18. "Whether our God deliver us, as He is able, or do not, we will not serve thy gods." Their service of God is not mercenary in its motive. Though He slay them, they will still trust in Him (Job 13:15). Their deliverance from sinful compliance was as great a miracle in the kingdom of grace, as that from the furnace was in the kingdom of nature. Their youth, and position as captives and friendless exiles, before…Read the comment
Topics related to Daniel 3:18
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
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