DAN 3:15 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Now if you’re ready, as soon as you hear the musical instruments of music, if you all bow down and worship the statue I erected, everything will be okay. But if you don’t, you’ll immediately be thrown into a blazing hot furnace. Then what god could rescue you from my punishment?”

3:15 OSHB variant note: קיתרס: (x-qere) ’קַתְר֣וֹס’: lemma_7030 morph_ANcmsa id_27UhH קַתְר֣וֹס

3:15 OSHB note: Yathir readings in L which we have designated as Qeres when both Dothan and BHS list a Qere.

3:15 OSHB note: BHS has been faithful to the Leningrad Codex where there might be a question of the validity of the form and we keep the same form as BHS.

Key: khaki:verbs.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Now if you are ready—at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, harp, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music—to fall down and worship the image that I have made, all will be well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be thrown into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire. Who is the god who will rescue you out of my hands?”

UST If that is true, I will give you one more chance. If you bow down to worship the statue that I have set up when you hear the sounds of the musical instruments, fine. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

BSB Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I have made, [very good]. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?”

OEB No OEB DAN book available

WEBBE 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 middle of a burning fiery furnace. Who is that god who will deliver you out of my hands?”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Now if you are ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, trigon, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must bow down and pay homage to the statue that I had made. If you don’t pay homage to it, you will immediately be thrown into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. Now, who is that god who can rescue you from my power?”

LSV Now behold, you are ready, so that at the time that you hear the voice of the horn, the flute, the harp, the lyre, the stringed instrument, and the symphony, and all kinds of music, you fall down and pay respect to the image that I have made! But if you do not worship—in that hour you are cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; who is that God who delivers you out of my hands?”

FBV “Are you ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments? If you don't, you will be immediately thrown into the furnace of blazing fire, and there's no god who can save you from my power!”

T4T If that is true, I will give you one more chance. If you bow down to worship the statue that I have set up when you hear the sounds of the musical instruments, fine. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. Then ◄what god will be able to rescue you from my power?/no god will be able to rescue you from my power!►” [RHQ]

LEB Now if you are ready so that _⌊when_⌋[fn] you hear the sound of the horn, the flute, the lyre, the trigon, the harp and the drum and all kinds of music, you fall down and you worship the statue that I have made, that will be good. But if you do not worship it, _⌊immediately_⌋[fn] you will be thrown into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire, and _⌊who is the god_⌋[fn] who[fn] will rescue you from my hands?”

3:15 Literally “at that time”

3:15 Literally “at that very time”

3:15 Literally “who he god”

3:15 Or “that”

BBE Now if you are ready, on hearing the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe, and all sorts of instruments, to go down on your faces in worship before the image which I have made, it is well: but if you will not give worship, that same hour you will be put into a burning and flaming fire; and what god is there who will be able to take you out of my hands?

Moff If you are ready, whenever you hear the sound of the horn, the pipe, the lyre, the harp, the lute, the bagpipes, and all the rest of the music, ready to fall down and bow before the image I have made, well and good; but if you will not bow down, you shall instantly be flung into a burning furnace. And where is the god who can save you from my power?”

JPS Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, 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 the god that shall deliver you out of my hands?'

ASV 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?

DRA 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?

YLT Now, lo, ye are ready, so that at the time that ye hear the voice of the cornet, the flute, the harp, the sackbut, the psaltery, and the symphony, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and do obeisance to the image that I have made! — and lo, ye do no obeisance — in that hour ye are cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; who is that God who doth deliver you out of my hands?'

Drby Now if ye be ready at the time that ye hear the sound of the cornet, pipe, lute, sambuca, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, [well]: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast that same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace: and who is the [fn]God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

3.15 Elohim

RV 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?
(Now if ye/you_all be ready that at what time ye/you_all hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye/you_all fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if ye/you_all worship not, ye/you_all 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? )

SLT Now if ye being prepared that in the time that ye shall hear the voice of the horn, the pipe, the harp, the lyre, the psaltery, and the bagpipe, and all sorts of music, ye shall fall and prostrate yourselves to the image that I made; and if ye shall not prostrate yourselves in the same moment, ye shall be cast into the midst of the furnace of flaming fire; and who that God that shall deliver you from my hands?

Wbstr 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?

KJB-1769 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?[fn]
(Now if ye/you_all be ready that at what time ye/you_all hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye/you_all fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye/you_all worship not, ye/you_all 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? )

3.15 dulcimer: or, singing: Chaldee, symphony

KJB-1611 Now if ye be ready that at what time yee heare the sound of the cornet, flute, harpe, sackbut, psalterie, and dulcimer, and all kindes of musicke, ye fall downe, and worship the image which I haue made, well: but if yee worship not, ye shall be cast the same houre into the midst of a fierie furnace, and who is that God that shall deliuer you out of my handes?
(Now if ye/you_all be ready that at what time ye/you_all hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye/you_all fall down, and worship the image which I have made, well: but if ye/you_all worship not, ye/you_all shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a fiery furnace, and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?)

Bshps Nowe therfore be redy when ye heare the sound of the cornet, trumpet, harpe, shawme, psaltries, dulcimers, and al instrumentes of musicke, to fal downe and worship the image whiche I haue made: for if ye worship it not, ye shalbe cast immediatly into the mids of a hot firie fornace: for who is that God that can deliuer you out of my handes?
(Now therefore be ready when ye/you_all hear the sound of the cornet, trumpet, harp, shawme, psaltries, dulcimers, and all instruments of music, to fall down and worship the image which I have made: for if ye/you_all worship it not, ye/you_all shall be cast immediately into the midst of a hot fiery furnace: for who is that God that can deliver you out of my hands?)

Gnva 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?
(Now therefore are ye/you_all ready when ye/you_all hear the sound of the cornet, trumpet, harp, sackebut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all instruments of musike, to fall down, and worship the image, which I have made? for if ye/you_all worship it not, ye/you_all shall be cast immediately into the midst of an hot fiery furnace: for who is that God, that can deliver you out of mine hands? )

Cvdl wel, be redy herafter, when ye heare the noyse of the tropettes, blowne with the harpes, shawmes, psalteries, symphonies and all ye other melodies: that ye fall downe, and worshipe the ymage which I haue made. But yff ye worshipe it not, ye shal be cast immediatly in to an hote burnynge ouen. Let se, what god is there, yt maye delyuer you out of my hondes?
(well, be ready hereafter, when ye/you_all hear the noise of the trumpets, blowne with the harps, shawm_instruments, psalteries, symphonies and all ye/you_all other melodies: that ye/you_all fall down, and worship the image which I have made. But if ye/you_all worship it not, ye/you_all shall be cast immediately in to an hot burning oven. Let see, what god is there, it may deliver you out of my hands?)

Wycl Now therfor be ye redi, in what euer our ye heren the sown of trumpe, of pipe, of harpe, of sambuke, of sawtree, and of symphonye, and of al kynde of musikis, bowe ye doun you, and worschipe the ymage which Y made; that if ye worschipen not, in the same our ye schulen be sent in to the furneis of fier brennynge; and who is God, that schal delyuere you fro myn hond?
(Now therefore be ye/you_all ready, in what ever our ye/you_all hearing the sown of trumpet, of pipe, of harp, of sambuke, of sawtree, and of symphonye, and of all kind of musikis, bow ye/you_all down you, and worship the image which I made; that if ye/you_all worship not, in the same our ye/you_all should be sent in to the furnace of fire burning; and who is God, that shall deliver you from mine hond?)

Luth Wohlan, schicket euch! Sobald ihr hören werdet den Schall der Posaunen, Trommeten, Harfen, Geigen, Psalter, Lauten und allerlei Saitenspiel, so fallet nieder und betet das Bild an, das ich habe machen lassen! Werdet ihr‘s nicht anbeten, so sollt ihr von Stund an in den glühenden Ofen geworfen werden. Laßt sehen, wer der GOtt sei, der euch aus meiner Hand erretten werde!
(Well_then, sends you! Sobald you(pl)/their/her hear/listen become the sound the/of_the trombones, trumpets(n), harps, Geigen, Psalter, Lauten and all_sorts_of_things string_playing, so fallt low/lowly and prays the image/picture an, the I have make let! Werdet hers not worship, so should you(pl)/their/her from Stund at/to in the glowingn oven thrown become. Let see, who the/of_the God be, the/of_the you out_of mine hand save/rescue become!)

ClVg nunc ergo si estis parati, quacumque hora audieritis sonitum tubæ, fistulæ, citharæ, sambucæ, et psalterii, et symphoniæ, omnisque generis musicorum, prosternite vos, et adorate statuam, quam feci: quod si non adoraveritis, eadem hora mittemini in fornacem ignis ardentis: et quis est Deus, qui eripiet vos de manu mea?
(now therefore when/but_if you_are ready, quacumque hour you(pl)_will_hear with_soundm trumpets, fistulæ, citharæ, sambucæ, and psalterii, and symphoniæ, omnisque kind musicorum, prosternite you(pl), and adore/worship statuam, how I_did: that when/but_if not/no adoraveritis, the_same hour sendmini in/into/on fornacem fire ardentis: and who/any it_is God, who/which eripiet you(pl) from/about by_hand my? )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–30: God delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace

This is the only chapter in the book of Daniel where the author does not refer to Daniel himself. Scholars have debated why this might be. Possibly he was traveling somewhere else in the empire on the king’s business at this time.

The author wrote Daniel 3 in the Aramaic language. These Notes usually follow the Aramaic found in the Masoretic Text (MT). The early Greek translation of Daniel 3 is somewhat different from the Aramaic. The Greek translation includes two stories that are not in the MT. The first is called “The Prayer of Azariah” (3:24–45). The second is called “The Song of the Three Young Men” (3:50–90). These two stories are connected by a short paragraph (3:46–50). Most English versions do not include these two stories. The NJB, however, does include them. As a result the verse numbers in the NJB are different from those of most other English versions.

In some other places the Greek text of Daniel 3 differs from the Aramaic of the Masoretic Text. For example, the Greek text includes a date in 3:1 that is not in the MT. Scholars have different views on why the two texts differ. It is possible that the Greek versions may have translated from a different Aramaic original. The Notes will discuss the differences between the two texts for certain important passages.

Outline: This chapter can be divided into four parts:

1. Setting: Nebuchadnezzar commanded all his officials of Babylon to come and worship the golden image that he had set up. (3:1–7)

2. Problem: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down and worship the image. The king threatened to kill them, but they still refused. (3:8–18)

3. Action: The king ordered his soldiers to throw the three young men into the furnace. (3:19–23)

4. Result/Outcome: God delivered the three young men from the furnace, and Nebuchadnezzar gave honor to God. (3:24–30)

The author gave prominence to Daniel 3:16–18, when the three young men proclaimed that they trusted in God to rescue them. If you have a way in your language to mark this section as important, you should use do that here

Headings:

The Notes interpret Daniel 3:1–30 as a one unit with one heading. However, in some languages it may be helpful to divide this chapter into more than one unit and to give each unit a separate heading. The following are some examples of how English versions divide the chapter into units and the headings they give for each unit:

Some versions have one heading. For example:
1. “The Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace” (NIV)
2. “The Fiery Furnace” (REB)
3. “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Refuse to Worship an Idol” (GW)

2. Some have two headings:

“The Golden Image” (NRSV, 3:1–18)
- “Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold Statue” (NLT, 3:1–18)
“The Fiery Furnace” (NRSV, 3:19–30)
- “The Blazing Furnace” (NLT, 3:19–30)

3. The GNT has four headings:

“Nebuchadnezzar Commands Everyone to Worship a Gold Statue” (3:1–7)
“Daniel’s Three Friends Are Accused of Disobedience” (3:8–18)
“Daniel’s Three Friends Are Sentenced to Death” (3:19–25)
“The Three Men Are Released and Promoted” (3:26–30)

Special Translation Problems:

Lists: The author liked to use lists. He repeated these lists throughout the chapter. For example:
1. the list of the names of officials (3:2, 3, 27)
2. the list of musical instruments (3:5, 7, 10, 15)
3. the phrase: “peoples, nations, and languages” (3:4, 29)
Repetition: The author also liked to repeat phrases throughout the narrative. Some of these phrases are:
1. “the image that King Nebuchadnezzar set up” (3:1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 18)
2. “hear the sound of the horn” (3:5, 7, 10, 15)
3. “fall down and worship” (3:5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 15)
4. “burning fiery furnace” (3:6, 11, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23, 26)
5. “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” (3:12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 22, 26, 28, 29, 30)

Each language uses repetition in its own way. These notes will discuss the significance of the repetitions in Daniel. In some languages, the repetition may not be natural. If that is true in your language, you will have to consider how best to communicate the same meaning.

Paragraph 3:13a–15c

In this paragraph the king threatened and rebuked Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He said that they would certainly die if they did not worship his image.

3:15a

Now, if you are ready,

At this time, you will have another opportunity.
I am giving you^(plur) another chance.

Now: In the Aramaic text this verse connects to the previous verse with a connecting word that the BSB translates as Now. This Aramaic connector is an adverb that expresses time. Possible ways to translate this Aramaic word are:

Now then (GNT)

In a moment (NCV)

if you are ready: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as ready in this context means “willing to obey.” It implies that the Jewish men must actually obey. The king was giving the three men another chance to worship the statue. Here is another way to translate this:

I will give you one more chance (NLT)

3:15b

as soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music,

When you^(plur) hear the horn, the flute, the lyre, the small harp, the large harp, and the drum and all the other musical instruments,
You^(plur) will hear once more the sound of the musical instruments.

as soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music: See the Notes at 3:7a. The author once again repeated the list of instruments. This increases the tension in the narrative. It encourages the reader to anticipate what will happen next in the story. In some languages this type of repetition may not be natural and may even confuse some readers. If that is true in your language, you may give a summary. For example:

If you bow down and worship the statue when you hear the music (CEV)

However, if you did not translate the list in 3:10, you may be able to translate the whole list again here without the readers feeling that the repetition is unnatural.

3:15c

you must fall down and worship the statue I have made.

I require that you bow down and worship the statue that I have made.
And if you are willing to bow^(plur) down before the golden column, everything will be all right.

you must fall down and worship the statue I have made: Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

If you bow down and worship the statue I made, that will be good. (NCV)

bow down and worship the statue (GNT)

General Comment on 3:15a–c

In some languages it may be natural to change the order of the information in these verse parts. For example:

Now when you hear the sound…, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, (NIV)

3:15d

But if you refuse to worship,

But if you^(plur) do not worship the statue,
But if you^(plur) refuse to worship the golden column,

But: The Aramaic connector that the BSB translates as But here introduces a contrast. Use a form in your language that shows that this new clause contrasts with the previous clause.

if you refuse to worship: See the Notes at 3:6 . In the Aramaic text the verb does not have an object. Some English versions supply the pronoun “it” referring to the statue. For example:

if you refuse to worship it (NJB)

if you do not worship it (NIV)

3:15e

you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace.

I will immediately have you^(plur) thrown into the furnace of burning fire.
I will command my soldiers to throw you^(plur) into the blazing/hot fire in the furnace.

you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace: See the Notes at 3:6. This is a passive clause. If it is more natural in your language to use an active clause, you may say:

I shall have/cause you to enter/fall

I shall command my soldiers to throw/push you…

at once: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as at once is literally “in a brief time, hour.” You can also translate this:

immediately (NIV)

without delay

into the blazing fiery furnace: This is more literally “into a furnace of burning fire.” See the Notes at 3:6.

3:15f

Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?”

And then will any god be able to save you^(plur) from my power? Certainly not!”
No god will be able to save you^(plur) then.”

Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?: This is a rhetorical question. The implied answer is “no one” or “none.” This question functions as an emphatic statement. Nebuchadnezzar was claiming that no god could rescue the Jewish men from the furnace.

There are several ways you can translate this:

as a rhetorical question. For example:
Do you think there is any god who can save you? (GNT)
Now, who is that god who can rescue you from my power? (NET)
as a question with the answer supplied. For example:
Is there any god who can save you from me? No!
as a statement. For example:
No god can save you from me. (CEV)

Translate this emphatic statement in the way that is most natural in your language.

god: The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as god can refer to a pagan god or to the one true God. Here it refers to any of the pagan gods. King Nebuchadnezzar believed that there were many gods. The king did not think that any of them could rescue the three men from the fiery furnace.

from my hands?: In this context, the word hands is an idiom that refers to the king’s power or authority. There are three ways to translate this idiom:

Translate the meaning. For example:
What God can save you from my power then? (GW)
Leave this phrase implied, if the meaning is clear from the context. For example:
Do you think there is any god who can save you? (GNT)
Translate the idiom literally if you have the same idiom in your language. For example:
and who is the god that will deliver you out of my hands? (NRSV)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

קַרְנָ֣⁠א מַשְׁרוֹקִיתָ֣⁠א קיתרס שַׂבְּכָ֡א פְּסַנְתֵּרִין֩ וְ⁠סוּמְפֹּ֨נְיָ֜ה

of,the_horn the,flute lyre trigon harp and,pipe

These are musical instruments. See how you translated this list in [Daniel 3:5](../03/05.md).

תִּפְּל֣וּן

fall_down

Here fall down means “quickly lie down”

Note 1 topic: translate-symaction

תִּפְּל֣וּן וְ⁠תִסְגְּדוּן֮

fall_down and,you(pl)_will_pay_homage

Alternate translation: “stretch yourselves out on the ground face down in worship of”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

לְ⁠צַלְמָ֣⁠א דִֽי־עַבְדֵת֒

to,the,image that made

Nebuchadnezzar commanded his men to do this work, he did not do the work himself. Alternate translation: “the statue that my men have made, all will be well”

עַבְדֵת֒

made

Alternate translation: “I have made, there will no longer be a problem” or “I have made, you will be free to go”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

בַּ⁠הּ־שַׁעֲתָ֣⁠ה תִתְרְמ֔וֹן לְ⁠גֽוֹא־אַתּ֥וּן נוּרָ֖⁠א יָקִֽדְתָּ֑⁠א

at,it the,moment thrown to,the_midst_of furnace_of of,the_fire (the),burning

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “my soldiers will immediately throw you into a blazing furnace”

אַתּ֥וּן נוּרָ֖⁠א יָקִֽדְתָּ֑⁠א

furnace_of of,the_fire (the),burning

This is a large room filled with a hot fire. See how you translated this in [Daniel 3:6](../03/06.md).

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

וּ⁠מַן־ה֣וּא אֱלָ֔הּ דֵּ֥י יְשֵֽׁיזְבִנְ⁠כ֖וֹן מִן־יְדָֽ⁠י

and,who? he/it god_of who he,will_deliver_you(pl) from/more_than my_of,hands

The king does not expect an answer. He is threatening the three men. Alternate translation: “No god is able to rescue you from my power!”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

מִן־יְדָֽ⁠י

from/more_than my_of,hands

Here hands refers to power to punish. Alternate translation: “from my punishment”

Parallel DAN 3:15