Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Daniel 3

Dan 3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

an image of gold

The attempt of this great king of Babylon to unify the religions of his empire by self-deification will be repeated by the beast, the last head of the Gentile world-dominion (Rev 13:11-15). See "Beast, the" (Scofield Dan 7:8; Rev 19:20). It has repeatedly characterized Gentile authority in the earth, e.g. Dan 6:7; Act 12:22, and the later Roman emperors.

Cf. Rev 13:14, 15.

Dan 3:8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

Chaldeans

Cf. the conduct of Daniel, Dan 2:24.

Dan 3:12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

certain Jews…Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Dan 2:49.

Dan 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.

our God whom we serve

Cf. Dan 6:19-22; Jer 30:7-9.

deliver us from the burning fiery furnace

The three Jews, faithful to God while the nation of Israel far from their land bear no testimony, are a fit type of the Jewish remnant in the last days (Isa 1:9; Rom 11:5), who will be faithful in the furnace of the great tribulation (Psa 2:5; Rev 7:14).

Dan 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.

we will not serve thy gods

Job 13:15; Act 4:19.

nor worship the golden image

Exo 20:3-5; Lev 19:4.

Dan 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

they have no hurt

Isa 43:2.

the form of the fourth

Phl 2:6-8.

the Son of God

Or, a Son of God.

Dan 3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

the most high God

Cf. Dan 4:2, 3, 17, 34, 35.

came forth of the midst of the fire

Miracles (O.T.). Dan 3:19-27; Dan 6:16-23. (Gen 5:24; Jon 2:1-10.)

Dan 3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

angel

Scofield Hebrews 1:4, note.