And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

DANIEL 3:6KJV
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Daniel 3:6 (KJV)

What does Daniel 3:6 mean?

Daniel 3:6 states that anyone who does not fall down and worship the golden image will immediately be thrown into a blazing, fiery furnace. This verse sets a strict and terrifying consequence for refusing to participate in the king’s command to worship the statue.

The verse is spoken by the herald of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, addressing all the gathered officials and peoples at the dedication of the king’s golden image. The announcement makes clear that worship of the statue is not optional—disobedience will result in a swift and deadly punishment by fire, showing the seriousness of the king’s demand.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 3:6

  • "falleth" (נְפַל, nĕpal): This word means to fall or bow down. In this context, it emphasizes a physical act of submission before the image, not just a respectful nod.
  • "worshippeth" (סְגֵד, sĕgēd): This word means to worship or pay homage. It highlights that the king expects not just a gesture, but an act of religious devotion.
  • "burning" (יָקֵד, yaqed) and "fiery" (נוּר, nur): These words together stress the intensity and danger of the furnace, underlining that the punishment is meant to inspire fear and immediate obedience.

Why Daniel 3:6 matters

  • Daniel 3:6 clarifies that the king’s command is not just a suggestion, but a life-or-death ultimatum, which sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
  • This verse shows the absolute authority claimed by Nebuchadnezzar, and the extreme measures used to enforce loyalty and unity in his empire.
  • Understanding the specific threat and the public nature of the punishment helps explain the courage required to resist, and why the story of the three men’s refusal stands out in the wider narrative.

Where else these words appear

“hour” Hebrew H8160 · used in 5 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 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
  • Daniel 4:33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.

“burning” Hebrew H3345 · used in 8 verses

  • Daniel 3:11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
  • Daniel 3:17 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 3:21 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.

“whoso” Hebrew H4479 · used in 10 verses

  • Ezra 5:3 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
  • Daniel 3:11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
  • Daniel 4:25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

“furnace” Hebrew H861 · used in 10 verses

  • Daniel 3:11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
  • Daniel 3:19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
  • Daniel 3:22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.