Daniel 3:18
New International Version
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.”

New Living Translation
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.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

King James Bible
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 King James Version
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.”

New American Standard Bible
But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods nor worship the golden statue that you have set up.”

NASB 1995
“But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

NASB 1977
“But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods, and we will not worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Amplified Bible
But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up!”

Christian Standard Bible
But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
But even if he doesn't, we still won't worship your gods and the gold statue you have set up."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But if he doesn't, you should know, Your Majesty, we'll never honor your gods or worship the gold statue that you set up."

Good News Translation
But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty may be sure that we will not worship your god, and we will not bow down to the gold statue that you have set up."

International Standard Version
But if not, rest assured, your majesty, that we won't serve your gods, and we won't worship the golden statue that you have set up."

Majority Standard Bible
But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.?

NET Bible
But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we don't serve your gods, and we will not pay homage to the golden statue that you have erected."

New Heart English Bible
But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up."

Webster's Bible Translation
But if not, be it known to thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

World English Bible
But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And behold—not! Be it known to you, O king, that we are not serving your gods, and we do not worship the golden image you have raised up.”

Young's Literal Translation
And lo -- not! be it known to thee, O king, that thy gods we are not serving, and to the golden image thou hast raised up we do no obeisance.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And if not, it shall be made known to thee, O king, that to thy gods we serve not, and to the image of gold that thou didst set up we will not prostrate ourselves:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if he will not, be it known to thee, O king, that we will not worship thy gods, nor adore the golden statue which thou hast set up.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But even if he will not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not worship your gods, nor adore the gold statue, which you have raised up.”

New American Bible
But even if he will not, you should know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up.”

New Revised Standard Version
But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the king shall know that we will not serve your god nor worship the golden image which you have set up.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But you shall know, oh King, that we do not serve your god, and we are not bowing down the image of gold that you have set up!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But if not, be it known to thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the image which thou hast set up.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Accused
17If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. 18But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

Cross References
Exodus 20:3-5
You shall have no other gods before Me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Hebrews 11:34
quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

1 Peter 4:16
But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name.

Joshua 24:15
But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”

Revelation 13:15
The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed.

2 Timothy 1:12
For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.

Psalm 118:6
The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? / As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” / No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ...

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.

Isaiah 46:9-10
Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. / I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Philippians 1:20-21
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. / For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

1 Kings 18:36-39
At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. ...


Treasury of Scripture

But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.

be it.

Job 13:15
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Isaiah 51:12,13
I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; …

that.

Exodus 20:3-5
Thou shalt have no other gods before me…

Leviticus 19:4
Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.

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Gods Gold Golden Image Obeisance Raised Servants Serve Serving Want Worship
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Gods Gold Golden Image Obeisance Raised Servants Serve Serving Want Worship
Daniel 3
1. Nebuchadnezzar dedicates a golden image in Dura.
3. They being threatened, make a good confession.
8. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are accused for not worshipping the image.
19. They are cast into the furnace,
24. from which God delivers them.
28. Nebuchadnezzar seeing the miracle blesses God, and advances them.














But even if He does not
This phrase reflects the unwavering faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They acknowledge God's power to save them but also express their commitment to Him regardless of the outcome. This demonstrates a profound trust in God's sovereignty, similar to Job's declaration of faith in Job 13:15. It highlights the principle of faithfulness to God even in the face of potential suffering or death, a theme echoed in Hebrews 11:35-38, where the faith of those who endured persecution is commended.

let it be known to you, O king
Addressing King Nebuchadnezzar directly, the three men show respect for his authority while firmly standing by their convictions. This reflects the biblical principle of respecting earthly authorities (Romans 13:1-7) while prioritizing obedience to God (Acts 5:29). Their boldness in the face of the king's power is reminiscent of the apostles' courage in the New Testament when they were commanded to stop preaching about Jesus.

that we will not serve your gods
The refusal to serve the Babylonian gods underscores the exclusivity of worship that the Israelites were commanded to uphold (Exodus 20:3-5). This act of defiance against idolatry is consistent with the teachings of the Old Testament prophets who warned against the worship of foreign gods. The cultural context of Babylon, a polytheistic society, makes their stance even more significant, as it directly challenges the prevailing religious practices of the time.

or worship the golden statue you have set up.
The golden statue represents the idolatrous practices that were common in ancient Mesopotamia. Archaeological findings have confirmed the existence of large statues and idols in Babylon, which were often used to assert the power and divinity of the king. The refusal to worship the statue is a direct challenge to Nebuchadnezzar's authority and the religious syncretism of the empire. This act of defiance can be seen as a type of Christ, who also stood against the religious and political powers of His time, ultimately leading to His crucifixion. The steadfastness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, who remained faithful to God's will even unto death.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Three Jewish men who were taken into Babylonian captivity and served in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar. They are known for their unwavering faith in God, even in the face of death.

2. King Nebuchadnezzar
The Babylonian king who created a golden statue and commanded all to worship it. His decree set the stage for the test of faith faced by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

3. The Golden Statue
A massive idol erected by Nebuchadnezzar, symbolizing the king's power and the demand for absolute loyalty and worship from his subjects.

4. The Fiery Furnace
The method of execution chosen by Nebuchadnezzar for those who refused to worship the golden statue. It represents the severe trials and persecution faced by believers.

5. Babylon
The setting of this event, representing a place of exile and a culture often in opposition to the worship of the one true God.
Teaching Points
Faith in the Face of Persecution
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrate unwavering faith, even when faced with death. Believers today are called to stand firm in their faith, regardless of societal pressures or threats.

God's Sovereignty and Deliverance
While God is able to deliver us from trials, our faith should not be contingent on His intervention. Trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that His plans are perfect, even if they differ from our desires.

The Cost of Discipleship
Following Christ may require us to stand against cultural norms and face persecution. We must be prepared to pay the price for our faith, trusting in God's eternal promises.

Witness Through Obedience
The bold stance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego served as a powerful witness to Nebuchadnezzar and others. Our obedience to God can be a testimony to those around us.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But even if
וְהֵ֣ן (wə·hên)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 2006: Lo!, there, less, whether, but, if

He does not,
לָ֔א (lā)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

let it
לֶהֱוֵא־ (le·hĕ·wê-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1934: To become, come to pass, be

be known
יְדִ֥יעַ (yə·ḏî·a‘)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3046: To know

to you,
לָ֖ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

O king,
מַלְכָּ֑א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

that
דִּ֤י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

we will not
לָא־ (lā-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

serve
פָֽלְחִ֔ין (p̄ā·lə·ḥîn)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6399: To pay reverence to, serve

your gods
לאלהיך (lê·lā·hā·yiḵ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 426: God

or worship
נִסְגֻּֽד׃ (nis·guḏ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 5457: To prostrate oneself

the golden
דַּהֲבָ֛א (da·hă·ḇā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1722: Gold

statue
וּלְצֶ֧לֶם (ū·lə·ṣe·lem)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6755: An idolatrous figure

you have set up.”
הֲקֵ֖ימְתָּ (hă·qê·mə·tā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6966: To arise, stand


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OT Prophets: Daniel 3:18 But if not be it known (Dan. Da Dn)
Daniel 3:17
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