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Abednego

maleExile

Meaning: “Servant of Nebo (Babylonian)

One of Daniel’s three Hebrew companions (Azariah), delivered with Shadrach and Meshach from Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace.

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Biography

Abednego — his Hebrew name was Azariah — was the third of Daniel's faithful companions in the Babylonian captivity. Like the others, he was a young noble of Judah, trained in the king's court and given a new name (Daniel 1:6–7).

Unwavering before the king

When commanded to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, Abednego stood with Shadrach and Meshach in refusing, resolved to worship the LORD alone whatever the cost (Daniel 3:16–18). Bound and thrown into the superheated furnace, the three were untouched by the flames, walking with a fourth figure "like the Son of God." They emerged with not a hair singed nor the smell of fire on them (Daniel 3:27). Their courageous faith turned a tyrant to acknowledge the God of heaven, and they were promoted in Babylon.

Life Timeline

603 BC

Stands firm against idolatry with his companions

Daniel 3:18
603 BC

Walks unharmed in the fiery furnace

Daniel 3:25

On the Bible timeline

Abednego belongs to the The Divided Monarchy era (c. 930 – 586 BC).

  1. c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
  2. 722 BCThe Fall of Samaria
  3. 586 BCThe Fall of Jerusalem

Themes & lessons from Abednego

Biblical themes that run through the passages where Abednego appears.

Abed-Nego14×Meshach14×Coercion, Religious12×Persecution12×Music4×Miracles2×Babylon1×Faith1×Missionaries, All Christians Should Be As1×Protection1×School1×Trust1×

People they appear with

Shadrach14×
Meshach14×
Nebuchadnezzar6×
Daniel2×

Things in their story

The Fiery Furnace3×

Scripture Appearances

14 verses in 1 book
Daniel14 verses

Daniel 1:7

Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

Daniel 2:49

Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

Daniel 3:12

There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. have: Cald. have set no regard upon thee

Daniel 3:13

Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

Daniel 3:14

Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? true: or, of purpose

Daniel 3:16

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

Daniel 3:19

Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. full: Cald. filled

Daniel 3:20

And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. most: Cald. mighty of strength

Daniel 3:22

Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. commandment: Cald. word flame: or, spark

Daniel 3:23

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:26

Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. mouth: Cald. door

Daniel 3:28

Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

Daniel 3:29

Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. I make: Cald. a decree is made by me any: Cald. error cut: Cald. made pieces

Daniel 3:30

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon. promoted: Cald. made to prosper

Frequently asked about Abednego

Who was Abednego in the Bible?

One of Daniel’s three Hebrew companions (Azariah), delivered with Shadrach and Meshach from Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace.

What does the name Abednego mean?

The name Abednego means “Servant of Nebo (Babylonian)”.

Where does Abednego appear in the Bible?

Abednego is mentioned 14 times across 1 book: Daniel.

What can we learn from Abednego?

The story of Abednego touches on themes of abed-nego, meshach, coercion, religious, persecution — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Abednego's life.

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