Daniel 3

“Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits…” The number six makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the…” Naming Nebuchadnezzar keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the…” Naming Nebuchadnezzar keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick…” Naming Nebuchadnezzar keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.” Naming Nebuchadnezzar keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” The line’s distinctive content terms include burning, falleth, fiery. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and…” Naming Abed and Babylon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee…” Naming Abed and Meshach keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“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…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou…” The line’s distinctive content terms include gods, golden, image. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to cast them…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bound, burning, coats. Its relationship to verses 20 and 22 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“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…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and…” Naming Abed and Meshach keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon…” The line’s distinctive content terms include fire, bodies, captains. Its relationship to verses 26 and 28 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel…” Naming Abed keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon.” Naming Abed and Babylon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.