Daniel 3:15
Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
Daniel 3:15 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse comes from the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament of the Bible. It recounts the story of King Nebuchadnezzar, who erected a golden image and commanded all his subjects to worship it when they heard certain musical instruments. The consequences for disobeying this decree were severe - being cast into a burning fiery furnace. The passage highlights the theme of faith and obedience in the face of adversity. It challenges readers to consider their priorities and allegiances, as the Israelites faced the choice of bowing down to a false idol or remaining loyal to their God. The question posed by King Nebuchadnezzar, "Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?" is ultimately answered by the miraculous deliverance of the faithful followers, showing the power and faithfulness of the one true God.
Theological Overview
This verse, found in the book of Daniel, demonstrates the theme of faithfulness and obedience to God in the face of persecution. King Nebuchadnezzar's demand for his subjects to worship a golden image he had set up is met with defiance by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three faithful followers of God. The instruments mentioned in the verse symbolize the lavish music accompanying the call to worship the image, highlighting the worldly enticements that can lead people away from true worship. The threat of being cast into a fiery furnace if they do not worship the image represents the consequences of defying the king's decree. The rhetorical question posed by Nebuchadnezzar challenges the faith of the three men, but they stand firm in their conviction that God will deliver them. This verse exemplifies the importance of staying true to one's beliefs, even in the face of adversity, and trusting in God's power to ultimately rescue His faithful followers.
Daniel 3:15 in other translations
American Standard Version
Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made, [well] : but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?
World English Bible
Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, good: but if you don’t worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?
Douay-Rheims
Now, therefore, if you be ready, at what hour soever, you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, harp, sackbut, and psaltery, and symphony, and of all kind of music, prostrate yourselves, and adore the statue which I have made: but if you do not adore, you shall be cast the same hour into the furnace of burning fire: and who is the God that shall deliver you out of my hand?
Geneva Bible (1599)
Now therefore are ye ready when ye heare the sound of the cornet, trumpet, harpe, sackebut, psalterie, and dulcimer, and all instruments of musike, to fall downe, and worship the image, which I haue made? for if ye worship it not, ye shall be cast immediatly into the middes of an hote fierie fornace: for who is that God, that can deliuer you out of mine handes?