Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” New Living Translation “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” English Standard Version He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” Berean Standard Bible “Look!” he exclaimed. “I see four men, unbound and unharmed, walking around in the fire—and the fourth looks like a son of the gods!” Berean Literal Bible He answered and said, “Behold! I am seeing four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and there is to them no harm! And his appearance, that of the fourth, is like a son of the gods!” King James Bible 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. New King James Version “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” New American Standard Bible He responded, “Look! I see four men untied and walking about in the middle of the fire unharmed, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” NASB 1995 He said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” NASB 1977 He answered and said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” Legacy Standard Bible He answered and said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” Amplified Bible He answered, “Look! I see four men untied, walking around in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt! And the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” Berean Annotated Bible “Look! he exclaimed. “I see four men, unbound and unharmed, walking around in the fire—and the fourth looks like a son of the gods (like the Son of God)! Christian Standard Bible He exclaimed, “Look! I see four men, not tied, walking around in the fire unharmed; and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Holman Christian Standard Bible He exclaimed, “Look! I see four men, not tied, walking around in the fire unharmed; and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” American Standard Version He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the aspect of the fourth is like a son of the gods. Contemporary English Version "But I see four men walking around in the fire," the king replied. "None of them is tied up or harmed, and the fourth one looks like a god." English Revised Version He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the aspect of the fourth is like a son of the gods. GOD'S WORD® Translation The king replied, "But look, I see four men. They're untied, walking in the middle of the fire, and unharmed. The fourth one looks like a son of the gods." Good News Translation "Then why do I see four men walking around in the fire?" he asked. "They are not tied up, and they show no sign of being hurt--and the fourth one looks like an angel." International Standard Version "Look!" he told them, "I see four men walking untied and unharmed in the middle of the fire, and the appearance of the fourth resembles a divine being." NET Bible He answered, "But I see four men, untied and walking around in the midst of the fire! No harm has come to them! And the appearance of the fourth is like that of a god!" New Heart English Bible He answered, "Look, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are unharmed; and the aspect of the fourth is like a son of the gods." Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Look!” he exclaimed. “I see four men, unbound and unharmed, walking around in the fire—and the fourth looks like a son of the gods!” World English Bible He answered, “Look, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are unharmed. The appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHe answered and has said, “Behold, I am seeing four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the appearance of the fourth [is] like to a son of the gods.” Berean Literal Bible He answered and said, “Behold! I am seeing four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and there is to them no harm! And his appearance, that of the fourth, is like a son of the gods!” Young's Literal Translation He answered and hath said, 'Lo, I am seeing four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like to a son of the gods.' Smith's Literal Translation He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose going about in the midst of the fire, and there is no hurt in them: and the aspect of the fourth like to the Son of God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe answered, and said: Behold I see four men loose, and walking in the midst of the fire, and there is no hurt in them, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Azariah stood up in the midst of the fire and prayed aloud: New Revised Standard Version Then Azariah stood still in the fire and prayed aloud: Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe king answered and said, Behold I see men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like that of the Son of God. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The King answered and said: “Behold, I see four men loose and walking within the fire, and they have no pain, and the appearance of the fourth is like to a son of the gods!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917He answered and said: 'Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And the king said, But I see four men loose, and walking in the midst of the fire, and there has no harm happened to them; and the appearance of the fourth is like the Son of God. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Fiery Furnace…24Suddenly King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and asked his advisers, “Did we not throw three men, firmly bound, into the fire?” “Certainly, O king,” they replied. 25“Look!” he exclaimed. “I see four men, unbound and unharmed, walking around in the fire— and the fourth looks like a son of the gods!” 26Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the blazing fiery furnace and called out, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire,… Cross References “Look!” he exclaimed. Acts 7:56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen. “I see four men, Ezekiel 1:5 and within it was the form of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: They had a human form, Revelation 7:1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back its four winds so that no wind would blow on land or sea or on any tree. unbound and unharmed, Acts 12:7-10 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. / “Get dressed and put on your sandals,” said the angel. Peter did so, and the angel told him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” / So Peter followed him out, but he was unaware that what the angel was doing was real. He thought he was only seeing a vision. … Daniel 6:22 My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.” Acts 16:26 Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose. walking around in the fire— Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze. Psalm 66:12 You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us into abundance. Zechariah 2:5 For I will be a wall of fire around it, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory within it.’” and the fourth looks like a son of the gods!” Judges 13:22 “We are going to die,” he said to his wife, “for we have seen God!” Job 1:6 One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. Job 38:7 while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Exodus 3:2-6 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed. / So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?” / When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered. … Psalm 91:11-12 For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. / They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Treasury of Scripture He answered and said, See, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. walking. Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. they have no hurt. Psalm 91:3-9 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence… Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Acts 28:5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. the Son of God. Daniel 3:18,18 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… Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Jump to Previous Appearance Aspect Fire Form Four Fourth Gods Harm Hurt Loose Middle Midst Unharmed WalkingJump to Next Appearance Aspect Fire Form Four Fourth Gods Harm Hurt Loose Middle Midst Unharmed WalkingDaniel 3 1. Nebuchadnezzar dedicates a golden image in Dura.3. They being threatened, make a good confession. 8. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are accused for not worshipping the image. 19. They are cast into the furnace, 24. from which God delivers them. 28. Nebuchadnezzar seeing the miracle blesses God, and advances them. “Look!” he exclaimed. This phrase captures the astonishment of King Nebuchadnezzar as he witnesses something unexpected in the fiery furnace. The exclamation indicates a sudden realization or surprise, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the event. In the context of the narrative, Nebuchadnezzar had ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual, expecting the immediate death of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. His reaction underscores the divine intervention taking place. “I see four men, unbound and unharmed, walking around in the fire— and the fourth looks like a son of the gods!” Persons / Places / Events 1. NebuchadnezzarThe king of Babylon who ordered the construction of a golden statue and commanded all to worship it. He is the one who observes the miraculous event in the fiery furnace. 2. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Three Hebrew men who refused to bow to the golden statue and were thrown into the fiery furnace as punishment for their faithfulness to God. 3. The Fiery Furnace A large furnace used for execution, heated seven times hotter than usual, into which Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown. 4. The Fourth Man Described by Nebuchadnezzar as looking "like a son of the gods," this figure is often interpreted by conservative Christians as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ or an angelic being sent by God to protect the faithful. 5. Babylon The empire ruled by Nebuchadnezzar, representing a place of exile and testing for the Jewish people. Teaching Points Faithfulness in PersecutionShadrach, Meshach, and Abednego exemplify unwavering faith in the face of severe persecution. Believers are encouraged to stand firm in their convictions, trusting in God's deliverance. God's Presence in Trials The presence of the fourth man in the furnace illustrates that God is with His people during their most difficult times. Christians can find comfort in knowing they are never alone. Divine Protection The miraculous preservation of the three men highlights God's power to protect and deliver. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and care for His faithful. Witness to Unbelievers Nebuchadnezzar's reaction shows how the faith and deliverance of believers can serve as a powerful testimony to those who do not know God. Christophany The appearance of the fourth man is often seen as a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, emphasizing the eternal nature of Jesus and His involvement in human history. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Daniel 3:25?2. How does Daniel 3:25 demonstrate God's protection in times of trial? 3. What does "fourth...like a son of the gods" reveal about divine presence? 4. How can we apply the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego today? 5. What scriptural connections exist between Daniel 3:25 and God's deliverance elsewhere? 6. How can Daniel 3:25 strengthen our trust in God's power and presence? 7. Who is the "fourth man" in Daniel 3:25, and what is his significance? 8. How does Daniel 3:25 demonstrate God's power and protection? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in Daniel 3:25? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 3? 11. Who was inside the furnace? 12. What happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Babylon? 13. Why does the prophecy in Ezekiel 17:22–23 about planting a tender twig on a “high and lofty mountain” seem scientifically implausible, given real plant growth conditions? 14. How could Jehoiada realistically reach the age of 130 (2 Chronicles 24:15), given the average lifespans recorded elsewhere and historical data? What Does Daniel 3:25 Mean Look!Nebuchadnezzar’s startled cry grabs everyone’s attention. The king, who moments earlier boasted of his own power, is now forced to notice something beyond his control. • Similar divine interruptions appear throughout Scripture—think of Moses turning aside to the burning bush (Exodus 3:3-4) or Saul halted on the Damascus road (Acts 9:3-4). • God has a way of breaking into human pride and directing eyes toward His greater reality. I see four men The king expected three victims—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Instead, he counts four individuals. • The witness of an unbeliever underscores the authenticity of the event; even an enemy testifies to God’s miracle (compare Balaam blessing Israel in Numbers 23:11-12). • Scripture often highlights the unexpected “extra” from God: a fourth man in the furnace, a ram on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:13), or a coin in a fish’s mouth (Matthew 17:27). Each instance points to divine provision beyond human calculation. Unbound and unharmed The ropes burned away, yet not a hair was singed (Daniel 3:27). God delivers completely, not partially. • Psalm 34:19 promises, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” • Isaiah 43:2 foretells, “When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flames will not set you ablaze.” Daniel 3 demonstrates that promise in real time. • Their freedom inside the very place meant for their destruction illustrates John 8:36: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Walking around in the fire They are not frantic or cowering; they stroll amid the flames. • Peace in peril reflects Psalm 23:4—“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” • The scene echoes Mark 6:48-51, where Jesus walks on the stormy sea; His presence turns chaos into calm for His people. • True security is not found in escaping trials but in the companionship of the One who rules over them. And the fourth looks like a son of the gods! Nebuchadnezzar recognizes a superhuman figure. Many understand this to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ—the Angel of the LORD who bears divine attributes (Genesis 16:7-13; Exodus 3:2-6). • Revelation 1:13-15 describes the glorified Jesus with similar awe-inspiring features. • Colossians 1:15-17 affirms that all things hold together in Him; thus His authority over fire is no surprise. • The furnace becomes a sanctuary because Christ is present. Where He stands, His people are safe. summary Daniel 3:25 reveals that God does not merely rescue from afar; He enters the furnace with His own. The impossible sight of four men—free, unharmed, and at peace—testifies that the Lord breaks human oppression, nullifies danger, and makes His companionship the ultimate deliverance. Believers today can face any “fire” with confidence that the same Savior walks beside them. (25) The Son of God.--These words, let us remember, are uttered by a heathen king, who calls this same Person, in Daniel 3:28, "an angel" of the God whom the three children worshipped. Probably Nebuchadnezzar thought that He stood to Jehovah in the same relation that he himself did to Merodach. His conceptions of the power of Jehovah were evidently raised by what he had witnessed, though as yet he does not recognise Him as being more than a chief among gods. He has not risen to that conception of the unity of God which is essential to His absolute supremacy. But still the question has to be answered, What did the king see? The early Patristic interpretation was that. it was none other than Christ Himself. We have no means of ascertaining anything further, and must be content with knowing that the same "Angel of God's presence" who was with Israel in the wilderness watched over the people in Babylon.Verse 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. The Greek versions do not present much worthy of note, only both insert molka, "king," instead of the pronoun, and omit "answered." From the fact that ver. 24 ends with malka, it may have been dropped out of the Masse-retie text. The insertion of ענה ('ana), "answered," may be due to the frequent recurrence of this phrase. The Peshitta omits "four," otherwise agreeing with the Massoretic. The phrase," the Son of God," is clearly wrong; the correct translation is, "The appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods." Along with the three victims of his superstition was seen a fourth figure, like one of the figures portrayed on his palace walls as belonging to the demi-gods. This is the culmination of the king's astonishment. It was astonishing to see those men loose that had been east into the furnace bound; still more so to see them walking, and none showing signs of having received any hurt; but most awe-inspiring of all is the vision of the fourth figure, like a son of the gods. We must not interpret this on Hebrew lines, as does Mr. Bevan, and comp. Genesis 6:2. He knows the usage in the Tar-gums is to retain the Hebrew plural in ־ים when "God" is meant, as in the Peshitta Version of the passage he refers to. As in most heathen mythologies, there were not only gods, but demi-gods, of several different classes. The god Nebuchadnezzar specially worshipped, Silik-Moulou-ki (Marduk), was regarded as the son of Hea. There was a god of fire also, who was associated with these. The suggestion of Dr. Fuller, that here in bar we have not the word for "son," but rather a truncated form of this god of fire, Iz-bar, is worthy of consideration. It is impossible to say whether Ibis vision of a divine being was vouchsafed to those standing about Nebuchadnezzar as well as to himself. While we ought to guard against ascribing to the Babylonian monarch the idea that this appearance was that of the Second Person of the Christian Trinity, we are ourselves at liberty to maintain this, or to hold that it was an angel who strengthened these servants of God in the furnace. The Septuagint renders bar-cloheen by ἄγγελος. Theodotion has υἱῷ Θεοῦ.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Look!”הָֽא־ (hā-) Interjection Strong's 1888: Lo! behold! he exclaimed. וְאָמַ֗ר (wə·’ā·mar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 560: To say, tell, command “I אֲנָ֨ה (’ă·nāh) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 576: I see חָזֵ֜ה (ḥā·zêh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 2370: To gaze upon, mentally to dream, be usual four אַרְבְּעָ֗ה (’ar·bə·‘āh) Number - masculine singular Strong's 703: Four men, גֻּבְרִ֣ין (guḇ·rîn) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1400: A person unbound שְׁרַ֙יִן֙ (šə·ra·yin) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural Strong's 8271: To free, separate, to unravel, commence, to reside and unharmed, וַחֲבָ֖ל (wa·ḥă·ḇāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2257: A hurt, injury walking around מַהְלְכִ֣ין (mah·lə·ḵîn) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 1981: To walk in בְּגֽוֹא־ (bə·ḡō·w-) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1459: Midst, middle the fire— נוּרָ֔א (nū·rā) Noun - common singulard Strong's 5135: A fire and the fourth רְֽבִיעָאָ֔ה (rə·ḇî·‘ā·’āh) Number - ordinal masculine singular determinate Strong's 7244: Fourth, a fourth looks וְרֵוֵהּ֙ (wə·rê·wêh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7299: Appearance like דָּמֵ֖ה (dā·mêh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 1821: To resemble a son לְבַר־ (lə·ḇar-) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1247: A son, grandson of the gods!” אֱלָהִֽין׃ (’ĕ·lā·hîn) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 426: God Links Daniel 3:25 NIVDaniel 3:25 NLT Daniel 3:25 ESV Daniel 3:25 NASB Daniel 3:25 KJV Daniel 3:25 BibleApps.com Daniel 3:25 Biblia Paralela Daniel 3:25 Chinese Bible Daniel 3:25 French Bible Daniel 3:25 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Daniel 3:25 He answered Look I see four men (Dan. 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