As Nebuchadnezzar watches at a safe distance, he is shocked at what he sees. So here Nebuchadnezzar has set up a golden statue of himself that 60 cubits tall and 6 cubits wide. 23:5, 8; 24:1, 5 mention a Dura at the mouth of the Chaboras where it empties into the Euphrates, but this can hardly be reckoned as being in the province of Babylon, and another Dura is mentioned as being beyond the Tigris not far from Appollonia, Polybius 5:52 and Amm. In the Bible, Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem twice, but in the end, was exiled and forced to eat grass like an ox. - Daniel 3:1-6: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuses to pay homage to Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue. The form of the accusation is almost a rebuke to the king himself. In Babylonian texts, the "mad king" was Nabonidus, a king who ruled two decades after Nebuchadnezzar and ended up losing the Babylonian Empire to the Persians. Nebuchadnezzar orders the furnace to be heated to maximum intensity. Therefore, the kingdom with legs of iron will reemerge in the 'latter . The harp was some sort of a stringed instrument. The image having been erected, Nebuchadnezzar, according to the Scripture record, gathered the principal officials of his empire for its dedication. pointing was not only impossible in etiquette but also in the spirit of the writer.203. 172 S. P. Tregelles, Remarks on the Prophetic Visions in the Book of Daniel. Either Daniel considered this a political act which did not violate his conscience, or Daniel did not worship and his high office prevented his enemies from accusing him, or more probably, Daniel for some reason was absent. 83-85; and Keil, pp. In using the expression the most high God, Nebuchadnezzar was not disavowing his own deities but merely recognizing on the basis of the tremendous miracle which had been performed that the God of Israel was higher, hence the most high God.. 185 K. A. This acknowledgment, that the gods of the kingdom were the more powerful, every heathen could grant; and thus, Nebuchadnezzar demanded nothing in a religious point of view which every one of his subjects could not yield. 181 Montgomery cites Oppert, Expdition scientifique en Msopotamia, 1:238 ff., expressing the belief that a massive square of brick construction found in situ, 14 metres square by 6 high, is the pedestal of Neb.s image (Montgomery, p. 197). Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. And this statue was covered in GOLD! Who Decided Which Books to Include in the Bible? 3 So and even in the Babylonian army of Nebuchadnezzar.191 Not only did the Greeks affect the Semitic world but also influences of Assyria and Babylonia appear in the Greek language as well.192, Recent studies on the musical instruments mentioned in Daniel 3 conducted by T. C. Mitchell and R. Joyce have given support to the authenticity of these instruments in the sixth century b.c.193 Further studies by Yamauchi support the conclusion that Greek words in Daniel are not to be unexpected and in fact refer to the interchange of cultures in the ancient world.194. Their explanation leaves no question as to the answer. They were written in cuneiform and include everything from royal proclamations to accounting documents. The speculation as to why Persian terms should be used is much ado about nothing. 1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. So where does this leave the famous story of Nebuchadnezzar losing his marbles and eating grass for seven years? Leupold, p. 143; also the discussion on The Greek Words in Daniel in Edwin M. Yamauchis, Greece and Babylon, pp. 44-50. As proof of their suspicions, they charge Daniels three companions with not worshiping the golden image. It symbolizes Nebuchadnezzar's vision of a future world empire, in which his own kingdom would be the dominant power. "When we have these independent sources, as we do for the sixth century B.C.E., you do have a good chance of figuring out what is historically correct and what is later theological interpretation.". Along with the young king and his extended royal family, thousands of Jerusalem's elites officials, priests, warriors, artisans were all marched to Babylon. In 2 Kings, we learn that the Judean King Jehoiakim refused to pay tribute to Babylon, so Nebuchanezzar invaded Judah to quash the rebellion. Nebuchadnezzar's Gold Statue King Nebuchadnezzar trained Daniel and his three friends for duty in the royal court. King Nebuchadnezzar had a huge golden image built as a symbol of his power and glory. Nebuchadnezzar is the Hebrew form of an Akkadian name, which translates to "May Nebo protect the crown.". Daniel 4:1 chapter context similar meaning copy save. As Young states, The name Dura has occurred in classical sources; Polybius 5:48, Amm. Now if Daniel (in particular, the Aramaic chapters 2-7) was wholly a product of c. 165 BC, then a century or so in a continuous tradition is surely embarrassingly inadequate as a sufficient interval for that loss (or change) of meaning to occur, by Near Eastern standards. 188 Concerning Greek loan words, see Kitchen, pp. Whatever their former rank and authority, they are now promoted.. Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon. These instruments probably provided as full an orchestra as could be arranged in Babylon. A golden Trump statue is displayed at the 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference The more than 6-foot-tall statue turned heads as it was wheeled into the Hyatt Regency Thursday evening. by on May 8th, 2022 Although probably in the same office, they were relieved of any opposition and had the special favor of the king in what they did. {32} The head of the statue was made of gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, {33} its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of brittle clay. 3 King Nebuchadnezzar had a gold statue made, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and he had it set up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Then, chapter 3. "In this theology, where you have to be punished for the sins you committed, it makes sense that it's Nebuchadnezzar and not Nabonidus who is said to have had this strange episode," says Frahm. Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon. In that storehouse were more clay tablets, mostly records of the day-to-day affairs of the palace. They take into consideration that sometimes it is not in the purpose of God to deliver faithful ones from martyrdom. What he saw, however, brought him to complete astonishment. His furnace was hot, but he himself got hotter! The cornet was obviously a horn instrument, the word coming originally from the horn of a beast which was sometimes used to make a musical instrument. This is illustrated in the fall of Babylon and of the succeeding empires of Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. 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 . 176 H. C. Leupold, Exposition of Daniel, pp. 2 Then the king gave orders for all his officials to come togetherthe princes, governors, lieutenant governors, commissioners, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other officials of the As pointed out in an extended discussion by Leupold, the nature of this trial and persecution was quite different from that of Antiochus Epiphanes in the second century B.C. The statue of Nebuchadnezzar's dream is an important symbol in the Bible, appearing in the Book of Daniel. They refused to eat what the others ate. (There's no evidence that Nabonidus ate grass.). The threat of being executed by being burned alive was sufficient to cause the entire group to fall down and worship when the music sounded. The Medes took the city of Babylon in one day without a fight. The statue is composed of four different materials: gold, silver, bronze and iron. The sackbut may have been a triangular board to which strings were attached. He appointed a king of his own choice there, received its heavy tribute and sent (them) to Babylon. Medo-Persia 539 - 331 BC The shoulders and arms of silver represent the Medo-Persian Empire. With the stage thus set for the accusation, the Chaldeans make three charges against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. The chest and the arms are silver. The chain of events which had brought about this miracle also consolidated the position of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego as principal officials in the province of Babylon. 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. None Can Rescue Like Him. It may have been in honor of the god of Babylon, either Bel or Marduk, but in this case it would have been natural to mention the name of the god. T. C. Mitchell and R. Joyce provide a table for all six instruments with their corresponding translations in nine different translations. John F. Walvoord, long-time president of Dallas Theological Seminary, was one of the most prominent evangelical scholars of his generation. Nebuchadnezzar not only recognizes the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego but now belatedly commends them for their trust in God even though it resulted in changing his word. This. According to verse 3, they were assembled before the image awaiting the call to universal worship signalled by the cry of the herald. A fair analysis of the situation in Daniel 3 is that the issue was more political than religious, but it was obnoxious religiously to Daniels three companions. Nebuchadnezzar plays a prominent role in the history of the Israelite people. 3:28-30 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the kings word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. The three men, however, also face the alternative that God might not deliver them. He confesses that he's constantly thinking of the gods when building temples to them.". 3:8-12 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. The basis of his decree is the simple statement, because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. It is clear at this point that though Nebuchadnezzar is greatly impressed, he has not yet been brought to the place where he is willing to put his trust in the God of Israel. 122-24. To Daniel, the dream is clear: If Nebuchadnezzar doesn't repent and praise the one true God, he will be stricken with a madness that will cause him to wander the wilderness like a beast. Montgomery earlier had come to the same conclusion based on the findings of Oppert181 Its proximity to Babylon would make it convenient and yet its location in a valley plain would make its height impressive. And in another unforgettable story in Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar is punished for his hubris and wanders the wilderness like a beast eating grass for seven years. Mar. In view of his pride as dealt with in chapter 4, this becomes a plausible explanation. While the men were prepared for execution, the furnace is heated until it is extremely hot. Just as Nebuchadnezzar had acknowledged Daniels God at the conclusion of chapter 2, so here Nebuchadnezzar admitting the power of the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego issues a decree in oriental style commemorating the event. Mar. They not only affirm that their God is able but that He will deliver them. 179 Cf. lwjas0066 options. what happened to nebuchadnezzar's golden statue. "A sequel to British Museum Satires no. Theirs is the faith that says: Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him, Job 13:15.204. 324 results for: statue of Nebuchadnezzar sort # images thumbs. He was the son of Nabopolassar, founder of the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 625 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar (Nebuchadrezzar 1 ), son of Nabopolassar the Chaldean, was the Babylonian ruler who reigned over much of the civilized world in 604-562 BCE. To these were added other instruments described as all kinds of music.195. Rabshakeh made the same arrogant and blasphemous claim when threatening King Hezekiah (Is 36:13-20)the claim to the possession of a human power so great that there is no divine power to which the victim can turn for help. In the deliverance of the three faithful companions of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar is confronted by the superior power of God which can nullify Nebuchadnezzars commandment to execute the three men. To him, therefore, the refusal of the Jews could not but appear as opposition to the greatness of his kingdom.197 There is, therefore, no direct parallel between this and the persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes which liberals cite as the background for this story in Daniel. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. 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 (Dan 3:1). smcas0342 options. "You have to look at the details," says Frahm. Nebuchadnezzar is the Hebrew form of an Akkadian name, which translates to "May Nebo protect the crown." What happened to Nebuchadnezzar in the Bible? It is useless to speculate how this related to Daniel himself. This has been taken by some to prove that the image was a deity or idol. What does Nebuchadnezzar mean? The gold consisted in overlaid plates, for which we possess not only abundant Classical evidence but also that of the Bible.178 The golden altar (Ex 39:38) was actually wood overlaid with gold (Ex 37:25-26). . That is always the mark of a little man. Leupold, p. 137; and Keil, p. 119. Particularly at the end of the Gentile period Israel will be in fiery affliction, but as Isaiah prophesied, But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. First, let's recap the tale as told in Daniel 4. The use of the golden metal for the image may have been derived from Nebuchadnezzars previous experience with the image of chapter 2 where Daniel informed him that he, Nebuchadnezzar, was the head of gold. This was a remarkable admission for a king in Nebuchadnezzars situation. The king had set them over the affairs of the province of Babylon, the most important province in the empire and the key to political security for the entire realm. The Hebrew word for image implies, as Leupold says, An image in the very broadest sense, probably in human form although the proportions are far too narrow for a normal figure.176 Scripture does not solve this problem, but most commentators agree that images of this kind in antiquity frequently varied from ordinary human proportions. Eight years later another Jewish rebellion broke out; this time Jerusalem was razed and the population carried into captivity. The herald made plain that anyone who did not obey the command to fall down and worship would be cast immediately into the burning fiery furnace. It also specifically restricts itself to the world around Israel, so skipping over empires in India, China and Mesoamerica. ", Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. Daniel continues by identifying the chest of silver as "another kingdom" which will arise. This would not necessarily take very long, but it must have added a high note of tension to the entire situation as the multitude waited probably in dead silence. Are there also hints in the historical record? In spite of separation from parents and of the corrupting influences of Babylonian religion, political pressure, and immorality, they did not waver in their hour of testing. The sheriffs were judges in a stricter sense of the term, that is, magistrates who gave a just sentence. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. He set it up on the Dura plain in the province of Babylon. Addressing the three faithful men in the fiery furnace, Nebuchadnezzar said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. It was immediately apparent to Nebuchadnezzar, as well as the others who watched, that the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego was greater than the gods of Babylon. Option (3) can definitely be dismissed. It is clear that the Chaldeans had deep-seated resentment against the Jews and felt the king had made a serious mistake in trusting these foreigners with such high offices. It likely featured a large base to support the massive structure. Might not deliver them. `` terms should be used is much ado about.. Have been a triangular board to which strings were attached constantly thinking of the palace for all six with! Is heated until it is useless to speculate how this related to Daniel.! Remarks on the Prophetic Visions in the Bible is illustrated in the & # x27 ; golden! 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