Daniel 3:8
New International Version
At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews.

New Living Translation
But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews.

English Standard Version
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.

Berean Standard Bible
At this time some astrologers came forward and maliciously accused the Jews,

King James Bible
Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

New King James Version
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews.

New American Standard Bible
For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews.

NASB 1995
For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews.

NASB 1977
For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews.

Legacy Standard Bible
For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came near and brought charges against the Jews.

Amplified Bible
At that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought [malicious] accusations against the Jews.

Christian Standard Bible
Some Chaldeans took this occasion to come forward and maliciously accuse the Jews.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Some Chaldeans took this occasion to come forward and maliciously accuse the Jews.

American Standard Version
Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews.

Contemporary English Version
Some Babylonians used this as a chance to accuse the Jews to King Nebuchadnezzar.

English Revised Version
Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
After that happened, some astrologers came forward and brought charges against the Jews.

Good News Translation
It was then that some Babylonians took the opportunity to denounce the Jews.

International Standard Version
Just then, certain influential Chaldeans took this opportunity to come forward and denounce the Jews.

Majority Standard Bible
At this time some astrologers came forward and maliciously accused the Jews,

NET Bible
Now at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought malicious accusations against the Jews.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews.

Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

World English Bible
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near and brought accusation against the Jews.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans have drawn near, and accused the Jews;

Young's Literal Translation
Therefore at that time drawn near have certain Chaldeans, and accused the Jews;

Smith's Literal Translation
For this cause, at that time men of the Chaldeans drew near and ate up the Jews piece meal.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And presently at that very time some Chaldeans came and accused the Jews,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And soon, about the same time, some influential Chaldeans came and accused the Jews,

New American Bible
At that point, some of the Chaldeans came and accused the Jews

New Revised Standard Version
Accordingly, at this time certain Chaldeans came forward and denounced the Jews.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And at that very time certain Chaldeans came near and accused the Jews.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And at that moment Chaldean men approached and they accused the Jews
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then came near certain Chaldeans, and accused the Jews to the king, saying,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Accused
8 At this time some astrologers came forward and maliciously accused the Jews, 9saying to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, may you live forever!…

Cross References
Daniel 6:12-13
So they approached the king and asked about his royal decree: “Did you not sign a decree that for thirty days any man who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions?” The king replied, “According to the law of the Medes and Persians the order stands, and it cannot be repealed.” / Then they told the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, shows no regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed. He still makes his petition three times a day.”

Esther 3:8-9
Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. / If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”

Acts 6:11-14
Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” / So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. ...

Acts 17:6-7
But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”

Jeremiah 38:4
Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to die, for he is discouraging the warriors who remain in this city, as well as all the people, by speaking such words to them; this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.”

Matthew 27:12-14
And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer. / Then Pilate asked Him, “Do You not hear how many charges they are bringing against You?” / But Jesus gave no answer, not even to a single charge, much to the governor’s amazement.

Acts 24:5-6
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

Nehemiah 6:6-7
that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.”

Luke 23:2
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

Acts 16:20-21
They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil / by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.”

1 Peter 4:12-14
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. / But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. / If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Psalm 56:5-6
All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise. / They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.

Mark 14:55-59
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. / For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. / Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him: ...

Acts 25:7
When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.

1 Samuel 24:9
and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?


Treasury of Scripture

Why at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

and accused.

Daniel 6:12,13
Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not…

Ezra 4:12-16
Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations…

Esther 3:6,8,9
And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai…

Jump to Previous
Accusation Accused Astrologers Chaldaeans Chaldeans Chalde'ans Charges Denounced Drawn Forward Jews Maliciously Reason Statement Time Wherefore Whereupon
Jump to Next
Accusation Accused Astrologers Chaldaeans Chaldeans Chalde'ans Charges Denounced Drawn Forward Jews Maliciously Reason Statement Time Wherefore Whereupon
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.














At this time
This phrase indicates a specific moment during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The context is the dedication of the golden image set up by the king, as described earlier in Daniel 3. This event occurs after the conquest of Jerusalem and the exile of the Jewish people to Babylon, a significant period in Jewish history known as the Babylonian Captivity.

some astrologers came forward
Astrologers, also known as Chaldeans, were part of the king's advisory council. They were considered wise men and were often consulted for their supposed ability to interpret dreams and signs. In the Babylonian culture, astrology was a respected science, and these individuals held significant influence. Their coming forward suggests a deliberate action, possibly motivated by jealousy or political maneuvering.

and maliciously accused the Jews
The accusation against the Jews was not merely a legal complaint but was driven by malice. The Jews, including Daniel and his friends, had been elevated to positions of authority in Babylon, which may have caused resentment among the native Babylonian officials. This accusation is reminiscent of other biblical instances where God's people face false charges, such as Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 39) and Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Mark 14:55-59). The term "maliciously" highlights the intent to harm, reflecting the spiritual battle between God's people and those opposed to His purposes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Chaldeans
A group of astrologers and wise men in Babylon who were often consulted by the king for their knowledge and interpretation of dreams. In Daniel 3:8, they accuse the Jews of not worshiping the golden image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar.

2. King Nebuchadnezzar
The ruler of Babylon who constructed a massive golden statue and commanded all his subjects to worship it. His actions set the stage for the events in Daniel 3.

3. Jews
Specifically, the Jewish exiles in Babylon, including Daniel and his friends, who are faithful to the God of Israel and refuse to worship the golden image.

4. Babylon
The empire where these events take place, known for its wealth, power, and idolatry. It serves as a backdrop for the testing of the Jewish exiles' faith.

5. Golden Image
A large statue erected by Nebuchadnezzar, symbolizing his power and the gods of Babylon. It becomes a focal point of conflict between the king's decree and the Jewish faith.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Adversity
The Jews' refusal to worship the golden image demonstrates unwavering faithfulness to God, even under threat of death. Believers today are called to stand firm in their convictions despite societal pressures.

Courage to Stand Alone
Daniel's friends exemplify the courage to stand alone for their beliefs. Christians are encouraged to maintain their faith even when it means standing against the majority.

God's Sovereignty
The events in Daniel 3 highlight God's sovereignty over earthly rulers and idols. Believers can trust that God is in control, regardless of the circumstances.

Witness through Obedience
The Jews' obedience to God serves as a powerful witness to the Babylonians. Christians are reminded that their actions can testify to their faith and influence others.(8) Wherefore.--i.e., because certain Jews were noticed to be absent at the time. It is natural to suppose that the promotion of three men of Jewish extraction would have been viewed with the greatest jealousy by the Babylonian officers, who, no doubt, had been carefully watching their opportunity of revenge. (Comp. Daniel 5:11.)

Chaldeans.--Not to be confused with the astrologers mentioned in Daniel 2:5, but Chaldean native subjects, contrasted with the Jewish colonists spoken of at the end of the verse.

Verse 8. - Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. The Septuagint is in this verse closer to the Massoretic than is Theodotion. The latter has nothing to represent the כָלאּךקבֵל דְנָה (kol-qobayl d'nah) of the original, which appears in our versions as "wherefore." The Septuagint renders κατέναντι τούτου. The Peshitta also has omitted "wherefore;" in the next clause it is slavishly accurate, giving the peculiar turn of the phrase in the original, 'achalu qartzchun, "to devour pieces of them." It occurs in the Syriac of Luke 16:1; it is in the Targum of Psalm 15:3. The Vulgate presents no points worthy of notice. It is evident that "Chaldean" is here used in its ethnic sense of the nation, not in its professional sense as of the alleged class. We must remember that "Chaldean" is not equivalent to "Babylonian." As we have seen, the Chaldeans were intruders in Babylon, and to them Nebuchadnezzar belonged. It was but natural that native-born Chaldeans, who reckoned themselves to be of the same kin as the king, objected to have their rights postponed to a set of Jews. The fact that the three friends are not named, or in any way designated, but the whole Jewish race is referred to, shows that the purpose of these Chaldeans involved the whole Jewish people, and that they singled out Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego simply as test cases. Their elevation to positions Of such trust might well have caused jealousy of them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
At this time
דְּנָה֙ (də·nāh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836: This

some astrologers
כַּשְׂדָּאִ֑ין (kaś·dā·’în)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3779: Chaldeans -- a Chaldaean

came forward
קְרִ֖בוּ (qə·ri·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7127: To approach

and maliciously
וַאֲכַ֥לוּ (wa·’ă·ḵa·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 399: To eat, devour

accused
קַרְצֵיה֖וֹן (qar·ṣê·hō·wn)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7170: Chew him up, by slander

the Jews,
יְהוּדָיֵֽא׃ (yə·hū·ḏā·yê)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3062: Jews -- inhabitants of Judah


Links
Daniel 3:8 NIV
Daniel 3:8 NLT
Daniel 3:8 ESV
Daniel 3:8 NASB
Daniel 3:8 KJV

Daniel 3:8 BibleApps.com
Daniel 3:8 Biblia Paralela
Daniel 3:8 Chinese Bible
Daniel 3:8 French Bible
Daniel 3:8 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Daniel 3:8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came (Dan. Da Dn)
Daniel 3:7
Top of Page
Top of Page