Misael is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Daniel. He is one of the three Hebrew youths who, along with Daniel, were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon during the Babylonian exile. Misael is better known by his Babylonian name, Meshach.

Name and Identity

The name Misael is of Hebrew origin, meaning "Who is what God is?" This name reflects a common practice in Hebrew culture of naming individuals in a way that acknowledges the sovereignty and uniqueness of God. Misael, along with his companions Hananiah (Shadrach) and Azariah (Abednego), was given a new name by the Babylonians as part of their assimilation into Babylonian society. The name Meshach is believed to be derived from the Babylonian deity Aku, indicating the cultural and religious pressures faced by the exiles.

Biblical Account

Misael's account is primarily found in the Book of Daniel, chapters 1 and 3. In Daniel 1:6-7 , we read: "Among these young men were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah, Shadrach, to Mishael, Meshach, and to Azariah, Abednego."

Misael, along with his companions, was selected for his wisdom, knowledge, and physical appearance to serve in the king's court. Despite the pressures to conform to Babylonian customs, including dietary practices, Misael and his friends remained faithful to their Jewish identity and God's commandments. Daniel 1:8-16 describes how they requested a diet of vegetables and water instead of the royal food and wine, and God blessed them with health and wisdom.

Fiery Furnace

The most notable event involving Misael is the account of the fiery furnace in Daniel 3. King Nebuchadnezzar erected a massive golden statue and commanded all his subjects to worship it. Misael, along with Shadrach and Abednego, refused to bow down to the idol, demonstrating their unwavering faith in the God of Israel. Daniel 3:16-18 records their response to the king: "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If the God we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.'"

In response to their defiance, Nebuchadnezzar ordered them to be thrown into a furnace heated seven times hotter than usual. However, God miraculously delivered them from harm. Daniel 3:24-25 states: "Suddenly 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. '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!'"

Legacy

Misael's account is a powerful testament to faith and divine deliverance. His refusal to compromise his beliefs, even in the face of death, serves as an enduring example of steadfastness and trust in God. The account of Misael, Shadrach, and Abednego continues to inspire believers to remain faithful to God amidst trials and persecution.MISAEL

mis'-a-el, mi'-sa-el (Codex Alexandrinus Misael; Codex Vaticanus Meisael):

(1) One of those who stood on Ezra's left hand as he expounded the Law (1 Esdras 9:44 equals "Mishael," Nehemiah 8:4).

(2) In The So of the Three Children verse 66 (Septuagint Daniel 1:7), for "Mishael," one of Daniel's companions in captivity.

Concerning Daniel and what Befell Him at Babylon.
... there were four of the family of Zedekiah, of most excellent dispositions, one of
whom was called Daniel, another was called Ananias, another Misael, and the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning daniel and.htm

A Letter from Origen to Africanus.
... are not in the Hebrew at all, beginning (according to one of the copies which circulate
in the Churches) thus: "Ananias, and Azarias, and Misael prayed and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens letters/a letter from origen to.htm

The Song of the Three Children
... ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.'
It was proper to do so: because the Ananias, Azarias, and Misael mentioned in it ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon iv the song of.htm

Babylon.
... Daniel, Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, gave their first proof of their obedience
to the Law of their God in their exile and slavery, by denying themselves the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xi babylon.htm

Date and Place.
... they might have been independently prepared. The mention of Ananias, Azarias,
and Misael in I. Macc. ii.59 is not conclusive as ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/date and place.htm

Theology.
... The objection that Ananias, Azarias, and Misael are invoked as saints (which probably
caused the omission in 1789 of v.66 (88) from the American PB) is ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/theology.htm

Early Christian Literature and Art
... The following are specimens: Justin Martyr (167), Apol. I.46, En barbarois de Abraam
kai Ananias kai Azarias kai Misael kai Elias kai alloi polloi. ...
/.../the three additions to daniel a study/early christian literature and art.htm

The Word in the World Before Christ.
... atheists; as, among the Greeks, Socrates and Heraclitus, and men like them; and
among the barbarians, Abraham, and Ananias, and Azarias, and Misael, and Elias ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter xlvi the word in the.htm

On Daniel. v. On the Song of the Three Children.
... Part I."Exegetical. On Daniel. V. On the Song of the Three Children. On the Song
of the Three Children. [1345] "O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on daniel v on the.htm

That Faith is of Advantage Altogether, and that we Can do as Much ...
... possible to him that believeth." [4416] In Habakkuk: "But the righteous liveth by
my faith." [4417] Also in Daniel: "Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, trusting in ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/42 that faith is of.htm

Misael
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MISAEL. mis'-a-el, mi'-sa-el (Codex
Alexandrinus Misael; Codex Vaticanus Meisael): (1) One of those ...
/m/misael.htm - 6k

Miry (6 Occurrences)

/m/miry.htm - 8k

Three (5005 Occurrences)
... In the Septuagint the words with which the Prayer was introduced are these: "Thus
therefore prayed Hananias, and Azarias and Misael and sang praises (hymns) to ...
/t/three.htm - 18k

Misaias

/m/misaias.htm - 6k

Song (207 Occurrences)
... In the Septuagint the words with which the Prayer was introduced are these: "Thus
therefore prayed Hananias, and Azarias and Misael and sang praises (hymns) to ...
/s/song.htm - 78k

Children
... In the Septuagint the words with which the Prayer was introduced are these: "Thus
therefore prayed Hananias, and Azarias and Misael and sang praises (hymns) to ...
/c/children.htm - 62k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus