Book of Daniel - Chapter 3 - Verse 24

When Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, witnessed the miraculous event of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego surviving the fiery furnace unharmed, he was astounded. The king had ordered the three men to be thrown into the blazing fire as punishment for refusing to bow down to his golden image. However, to his amazement, he saw not three, but four men walking around in the fire, unharmed and untouched by the flames. This verse captures Nebuchadnezzar's astonishment as he questions his counsellors about the number of men they had thrown into the fire. When confirmed that indeed they had thrown only three men into the fire, Nebuchadnezzar's belief in the power and presence of God was reaffirmed. The miraculous survival of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego was a testament to God's protection and deliverance in the face of adversity.

In this verse, we see King Nebuchadnezzar expressing his astonishment at the miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. The word 'astonied' is an older English term that means astonished or amazed. Nebuchadnezzar quickly rose up and questioned his counselors, reminding them that they had indeed thrown three bound men into the fire. His advisors confirmed the truth of his statement. This verse demonstrates the power of God to protect and deliver His people in the face of great adversity. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of standing firm in faith, even in the midst of trials and persecution. The theological interpretation of this passage highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His followers, even in the most challenging circumstances. It is a powerful testimony to the faithfulness of God and the importance of trusting in Him completely, no matter what challenges may come our way.