Background and Name Meaning:

Mishael, known by his Babylonian name Meshach, is a significant figure in the Old Testament, particularly in the Book of Daniel. The name Mishael in Hebrew means "Who is what God is?" which reflects a rhetorical question emphasizing the uniqueness and incomparability of God. When taken into Babylonian captivity, Mishael was given the name Meshach, which is believed to be derived from the Babylonian deity Aku, though the exact meaning is less clear.

Biblical Account:

Mishael, along with his companions Hananiah (Shadrach) and Azariah (Abednego), was among the young men of Judah taken into exile by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. These young men were selected for their wisdom, knowledge, and physical appearance to be trained in the ways of the Chaldeans, as described in Daniel 1:3-4. Despite their new environment, Mishael and his friends remained faithful to the God of Israel, adhering to their dietary laws and religious practices.

Fiery Furnace Incident:

The most notable event involving Mishael, under his Babylonian name Meshach, is the account of the fiery furnace found in Daniel 3. King Nebuchadnezzar erected a massive golden statue and commanded all his subjects to bow down and worship it. Mishael, along with Shadrach and Abednego, refused to comply with this decree, choosing to remain faithful to the God of Israel. Their defiance is recorded in Daniel 3:16-18 : "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If the God we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. 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.'"

In response to their refusal, Nebuchadnezzar ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded his strongest soldiers to bind and throw the three men into the flames. The heat was so intense that it killed the soldiers who carried out the king's orders. However, Mishael, along with his companions, was miraculously preserved by God. As Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace, he was astonished to see not three, but four men walking unharmed in the fire, with the fourth appearing "like a son of the gods" (Daniel 3:25).

Aftermath and Significance:

The miraculous deliverance of Mishael and his friends led Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge the power of their God. He declared in Daniel 3:28-29 : "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be cut into pieces and their houses reduced to rubble, for there is no other god who can deliver in this way."

Mishael's account, as Meshach, serves as a powerful testament to faith and divine protection. His unwavering commitment to God, even in the face of death, exemplifies the courage and conviction expected of believers. The account of the fiery furnace remains a profound illustration of God's sovereignty and the assurance of His presence with those who remain faithful to Him.Daniel 3:13-30
Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
Nave's Topical Index

The Four Captive Children.
... these were four boys named Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. ... on the plain of
Dura, and called a feast of ... The musicians were there also, with many kinds of ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxi the four captive.htm

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