Lexical Summary Shadrak: Shadrach Original Word: שַׁדְרַךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shadrach (Aramaic) the same as Shadrak -- Shadrach. see HEBREW Shadrak NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to Shadrak Definition Bab. name of one of Daniel's companions NASB Translation Shadrach (14). Topical Lexicon Name and Historical Background Shadrach was the Babylonian court name given to Hananiah, a young Judean of royal or noble lineage taken captive to Babylon during the first deportation (Daniel 1:6–7). Alongside Daniel, Mishael, and Azariah, he was educated in the language and literature of the Chaldeans and appointed to governmental service under King Nebuchadnezzar. His new name, possibly invoking a pagan deity, underscores the pressure placed on exiles to assimilate into Babylonian culture while remaining faithful to the God of Israel. Appearances in Scripture The name Shadrach occurs fourteen times in the canonical Old Testament, all in the Book of Daniel (Daniel 2:49; 3:12–30). He first appears when Daniel secures his promotion, together with Meshach and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon (2:49). The remaining occurrences cluster in chapter three, recounting the crisis of the golden image and the fiery furnace. Character and Faith Shadrach exemplifies uncompromising fidelity to the covenant. Confronted with the king’s command to worship the golden statue, he and his companions refuse, affirming, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us… But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods” (Daniel 3:17–18). Their statement joins faith in God’s power with steadfast obedience independent of the outcome. Miracle of the Fiery Furnace Nebuchadnezzar’s rage culminates in ordering the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual (3:19). The three are bound and cast in, yet an astonished king sees “four men, unbound and unharmed, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods” (3:25). Emerging unscathed, “not even the smell of fire had touched them” (3:27). The miracle vindicates their faith and publicly glorifies the God of Israel before the Gentile empire. Theological Significance 1. Divine Sovereignty. The episode emphasizes God’s rule over earthly monarchs and natural elements. Prophetic and Christological Implications The “fourth man” in the furnace prefigures the incarnate Christ, who is present with His people in their trials. The event anticipates the ultimate deliverance secured by the Savior, who stands with His church amid persecution and assures final victory (Matthew 28:20; Revelation 1:13-15). Lessons for Christian Living • Courage: Obedience may entail civil disobedience when human authority contradicts divine command (Acts 5:29). Later Jewish and Christian Tradition In Jewish liturgy, the deliverance of Shadrach and his friends inspires prayers of protection. The early church viewed the furnace as a type of martyrdom, encouraging steadfastness under Roman persecution. Their feast is commemorated in some liturgical calendars on December 17. See Also Daniel; Meshach; Abednego; Fiery Furnace; Persecution; Idolatry Forms and Transliterations לְשַׁדְרַ֤ךְ לְשַׁדְרַ֥ךְ לשדרך שַׁדְרַ֤ךְ שַׁדְרַ֥ךְ שַׁדְרַ֨ךְ שדרך lə·šaḏ·raḵ ləšaḏraḵ leshadRach šaḏ·raḵ šaḏraḵ shadRachLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:49 HEB: מְדִינַ֣ת בָּבֶ֔ל לְשַׁדְרַ֥ךְ מֵישַׁ֖ךְ וַעֲבֵ֣ד NAS: and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach KJV: and he set Shadrach, Meshach, INT: of the province of Babylon Shadrach Meshach and Abed-nego Daniel 3:12 Daniel 3:13 Daniel 3:14 Daniel 3:16 Daniel 3:19 Daniel 3:20 Daniel 3:22 Daniel 3:23 Daniel 3:26 Daniel 3:26 Daniel 3:28 Daniel 3:29 Daniel 3:30 14 Occurrences |
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