If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

DANIEL 3:17KJV
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Daniel 3:17 (KJV)

What does Daniel 3:17 mean?

Daniel 3:17 states that the three men—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—declare their belief that the God they serve is able to rescue them from the fiery furnace and from the power of King Nebuchadnezzar. They express confidence in God's ability to save them, even in the face of a deadly threat.

In this scene, the three men are speaking directly to King Nebuchadnezzar after refusing to worship his golden image. The verse shows their trust in God’s power over the king’s authority and the furnace. Their words highlight both their loyalty to God and their calm assurance that God can deliver them, no matter how impossible the situation seems.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 3:17

  • אֱלָהּ (ʾĕlāh, "God"): This word emphasizes that the God they serve is not just any deity, but the one they personally worship, setting Him apart from the gods of Babylon.
  • יָכִל (yākil, "is able"): The word carries the sense of having the power or capability, stressing that God’s ability is not in question for them.
  • פְּרַק (peraq, "deliver"): This verb means to rescue or save, highlighting the specific hope that God can physically save them from harm.
  • כִּבְשָׁן (kibshan, "furnace"): This term refers to a large, blazing oven, underlining the real and immediate danger they face.

Why Daniel 3:17 matters

  • Daniel 3:17 clarifies that the three men’s faith is not in their own strength or in chance, but specifically in God’s power to act in their situation.
  • The verse draws a clear line between loyalty to God and obedience to earthly rulers, showing that the men’s primary allegiance is to God, even when threatened with death.
  • This statement sets up the dramatic tension for the rest of the story, making their rescue (or lack thereof) a direct demonstration of God’s power and faithfulness.

Where else these words appear

“we” Hebrew H586 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 4:16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
  • Ezra 5:11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.
  • Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

“deliver” Hebrew H7804 · used in 7 verses

  • 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 musick, 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 6:14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
  • Daniel 6:20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

“burning” Hebrew H3345 · used in 8 verses

  • Daniel 3:6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
  • 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 musick, 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 3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

“serve” Hebrew H6399 · used in 10 verses

  • Ezra 7:24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
  • Daniel 3:18 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.
  • Daniel 6:20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?