Study Desk

The king ordered Ashp'naz, the eunuch serving as his chief officer, to bring into the palace from the people of Isra'el some of royal or noble descent.

The king assigned them a daily portion of his own food and the wine he drank, and they were to be cared for in this way for three years. At the end of this time they were to become the king's attendants.

and in all matters requiring wisdom and understanding, whenever the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and exorcists in his entire kingdom.

So the king ordered the magicians, exorcists, sorcerers and astrologers summoned to interpret the king's dreams to him. They came and stood in his presence.

A second time they said, "Let his majesty tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it."

When the decree was published that the sages were to be slain, they sought Dani'el and his companions in order to have them put to death.

Then, choosing his words carefully, Dani'el consulted Aryokh, captain of the royal guard, who had already gone out to kill the sages of Bavel.

Dani'el went home and made the matter known to Hananyah, Misha'el and ‘Azaryah, his companions;

so that they could ask the God of heaven for mercy concerning this secret, and thus save Dani'el and his companions from dying along with the other sages of Bavel.

in these words: "Blessed be the name of God from eternity past to eternity future! For wisdom and power are his alone;

Quickly Aryokh brought Dani'el before the king and told him, "I have found one of the exiles of Y'hudah who will reveal the interpretation to his majesty."

Dani'el answered the king, "No sage, exorcist, magician or astrologer can tell his majesty the secret he has asked about.

Then King N'vukhadnetzar fell on his face and worshipped Dani'el; he ordered that a grain offering and incense be offered to him.

N'vukhadnetzar became so utterly enraged that his face was distorted with anger against Shadrakh, Meishakh and ‘Aved-N'go. He ordered the furnace made seven times hotter than usual.

Then he ordered some of the strongest men in his army to tie up Shadrakh, Meishakh and ‘Aved-N'go and throw them into the blazing hot furnace.

Suddenly N'vukhadnetzar sprang to his feet. Alarmed, he asked his advisers, "Didn't we throw three men, bound, into the flames?" They answered the king, "Yes, of course, your majesty."

N'vukhadnetzar said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrakh, Meishakh and ‘Aved-N'go! He sent his angel to deliver his servants who trusted in him. They defied the royal order to the point of being willing to give up their bodies, in order not to serve or worship any god but their own God.

Therefore I herewith decree that anyone, no matter from which people, nation or language, who says anything to insult the God of Shadrakh, Meishakh and ‘Aved-N'go is to be torn limb from limb, and his house is to be reduced to rubble; because there is no other god who can save like this."

Then the king gave Shadrakh, Meishakh and ‘Aved-N'go higher rank in the province of Bavel. [The following letter was sent out:] "From: N'vukhadnetzar the king "To: All the peoples, nations and languages living throughout the earth: "Shalom rav! [Abundant peace!] "I am pleased to recount the signs and wonders which the Most High God has done for me. "How great are his signs! How powerful his wonders! His kingdom lasts forever, and he rules all generations.

let his heart and mind cease to be human and become those of an animal; and let seven seasons pass over him.