DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 3.2

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Three

                            The Golden Image of Nebuchadnezzar        

 

 

Introduction

In the prior segment, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon had commissioned a 90-foot tall by 9 feet wide statue to be erected atop a pedestal on the plain of Dura. The golden image is not directly identified in the text, but through the ages, there have been two possibilities as to its identity:

1. Some postulate it resembled the national god Bel-Marduk

a.  This premise is based on verse 28

b.  This theory seems unlikely since pagan deities were usually enshrined in a temple

 

2. Others suppose it was a representation of Nebuchadnezzar’s image depicted in his dream

a.  This appears more plausible as the context Chapters 2 and 3 suggest

b.  This appears to be in alignment with other verses in Chapter 3 (Vv. 12, 14, 18) since no other gods are mentioned to be revered

 

So, one can only imagine standing in the city of Babylon and viewing this intimidating awesome figure of King Nebuchadnezzar with the sun glaring off its golden form.

 

Also, interestingly and prophetically, the image is a pretext for Antichrist who will one day require the world to worship him (cf. Revelation 13:11-15).

 

 

1. The Description of the Image (v. 1)

2. The Dedication of the Image (V. 2-3)

(Verse 2)

 

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellers, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

 

Perhaps one of the greatest days in Babylonian history, the King ordered an elaborate dedication ceremony for the golden statue to be observed. Wanting to deify himself, Nebuchadnezzar then summoned all the important dignitaries of his empire to attend.

 

The Great Assembly

The guest list included eight principal officials* of the Empire. They are identified as follows:

1. The Princes

Princes (ăchashdarpan, H324) were provincial governors or representatives of the king, called satraps in the ancient Persian Empire.

 

2. The Governors

Governors (çᵉgan, H5460): Also, in certain countries, they acted as prefects, i.e., appointed military commanders.   

 

3. The Captains

Captains (pechâ, H6347) refer to presidents or civil governors of the provinces.

 

4. The Judges

Judges (ădargâzêr, H148) consisted of arbitrators in administering the law. In some cases, they would be held as chief diviners or astrologers in a consolatory position.

 

5. The Treasurers

Treasurers (gᵉdâbâr, H1411) of the provinces ministered the funds for the Kingdom.

 

6. The Counselors

Counselors (dethubar, H1884) were legal officials and served as lawyers or guardians of the law.

 

7. The Sheriffs

Sheriffs (tiphtay, H8614) acted as magistrates. They served as law enforcers who executed judgments and issued sentences under the law.

 

8. The Rulers of the Provinces

Rulers (shilṭôwn, H7984) were powerful officials or potentates subordinate to the chief governor of a province.

 

*Note: Due to the Aramaic text, some translations may vary. Additionally, a few words unable to be translated into Aramaic are borrowed from early Macedonia. The same is said for the instruments in Verse 7. However, in this study, the old King James Version and Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance are adopted as resources.

 

Also noteworthy, the list of delegates does not include Daniel or any other captive Jews. However, since Daniel sat at the gate of the King, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in attendance because they served as satraps over the provincial affairs of Babylon. They acted in their official authoritative duties. 

 

 

(Verse 3)

 

Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellers, 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.

 

The same group in Verse 2, now gathered together, stood before the image at the dedication ceremony. Furthermore, parts of this delegation will also appear in Verse 27, and also in Daniel 6:7.

 

 

3. The Demand to Worship the Image (Vv. 4-7)

(Verse 4)

 

Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages.

 

The Announcer 

As the top officials of the Babylonian Empire were standing before the colossal image Nebuchadnezzar had set up on the plain of Dura, a herald cried out the official mandate from the King to all peoples, nations, and tongues in attendance.

 

Heralds were employed by a king to perform certain duties, For instance:

1. They announced the coming of a king

2. They announced decrees from  the king

3. They announced the opening of games

4. They announced on festive occasions

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

The Sound of Music

One of the Babylonians’ prominent features was their love for beautiful and exotic music. Two examples are noted:

Psalm 137:3 – For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

 

Isaiah 4:11 – Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols (harps, psaltery, or stringed instruments): the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.

 

Besides, music was an integral part and spiritual aid to any worship service (cf. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), namely because it stirred up emotions. And, it is a huge part of genuine revival. Recall, Lucifer (Satan) was once the head of worship in Heaven (see Ezekiel 28:13).

 

The Celebration

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Nebuchadnezzar had commissioned the Chaldean version of a Philharmonic Orchestra’s participation in this momentous ceremony. Included were the finest musicians throughout his Empire.

 

The Instruments of Antiquity

Seven types of musical instruments provided the sounds for this festive event:

1. The Cornet

Cornets were taken from animal or beast horns and made into an instrument. They were forerunners of the modern-day shofars made from the ram’s horn (qeren, H7162).

 

2. The Flute

Another name for the flute was the whistle pipe. Some were probably made with reeds and produced a sound like a whistle (mashrôwqîy, H4953).

 

3. The Harp

Most likely the harp, a stringed instrument, was a version of the lyre or zither (qîythârôç, H7030).

 

4. The Sackbut

The sackbut was a four-stringed instrument with a triangular board, similar to the lyre (çabbᵉkâʼ, H5443).

 

5. The Psaltery

Psalteries were triangular stringed instruments, also considered harps or lyres (pᵉçanṭêrîyn, H 6460).

 

6. The Dulcimer

Some believe it was a tympanum (i.e., a drum) with strings, played with a stick. Others conclude they were dulcimers, a double-piped wind instrument, such as crude bagpipes, or perhaps panpipes (a group of pipes together in a row), borrowed from Macedonia (çûwmᵉpôwnᵉyâh, H5481).

 

7. The Other Categories of Instruments

There were many instruments, not known or mentioned in the Babylonian ensemble.

 

At what time ye hear the sound of... musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up

The golden image seems to not only have political implications but religious ones as well. Nebuchadnezzar is thus building an authoritative rule for himself in two ways:

1. It will serve as a unified government

2. It will serve as a unified religion

 

Therefore, all who prostrate themselves before the image are doubly recognizing Nebuchadnezzar’s absolute political and religious authority.

 

 

(Verse 6)

 

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

 

 The Announcement

A herald proclaimed the King’s edict. When the music began, everyone was ordered to fall down and worship the golden image Nebuchadnezzar had fashioned. It was mandatory, and no one was exempt from this proclamation. Notice, the word worship appears 11 times in Chapter 3.

 

Polytheism abounded in Babylon since Babylon (Babel) was the birthplace of all false religions (cf. Genesis 10:8-10; 11:1-4). Even though every man paid homage to his or her god, they were regraded to bow down and worship the image of Nebuchadnezzar. This action solidified not only his authority but made him more powerful than their other gods. Consequently, this motion was in direct opposition to the sovereign God of Daniel and Israel.   

 

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

Worship was obligatory. Those who obeyed were recognizing both the King’s supreme authority. Refusal to do so would indicate one’s opposition to the King and his Kingdom. Hence the slogans:

1. Comply or die

2. Bow or burn

3. Fall or fry

 

Most likely, mirrored by the Persians, the Babylonians had a terrible penalty for insubordination – Death. Some ethical forms of execution in ancient times included:

1. The Babylonians – Execution by fire

2. The Jews – Execution by stoning

3. The Romans – Execution by crucifixion

 

The announcer goes on to say, any attendee who does not publically conform to bow down and worship the image, will meet the death penalty, i.e., be burnt alive at the same hour, meaning immediately, There were no exemptions.

 

The Fiery Furnace

No doubt, the furnace was not too far from the statue. It encompassed a perpendicular smokestack shaft with openings at the bottom, one for entry and removal of ashes, and the other for ventilation.  The oven was made of clay or brick and select types of stone. Since the punishment would be at the same hour implies the furnace was already burning.

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

When the concert began, the massive crowd observed Nebuchadnezzar’s wishes, thus, setting the precedent for Roman Caesars, and the prophetic Antichrist.

 

Following, jealousy ensued amongst some Chaldean emissaries leading to palace intrigue. This issue will be discussed in the next lesson.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. Most likely, who did the golden statue resemble?

2. Generally, who was represented at the statue's dedication?

3. What were they told to do when the ceremony began?

4. When was the audience told to conform?

5. What was the punishment if they refused to do so?

6. Who was not in attendance at the dedication?

7. What did the meaning of their actions acknowledge?

 

 

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