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Meshach

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Meaning: “Who is like Aku (Babylonian)

One of Daniel’s three Hebrew companions (Mishael) who, with Shadrach and Abednego, was saved from the fiery furnace for refusing to worship an idol.

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Biography

Meshach — whose Hebrew name was Mishael — was one of the three faithful companions of Daniel in Babylon. Taken as a youth from Judah, he was trained for royal service and renamed by the Babylonians (Daniel 1:6–7).

Faith in the furnace

With Shadrach and Abednego, Meshach refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, declaring their trust that God could deliver them — "but if not," they would still not serve the king's gods (Daniel 3:18). For this they were bound and cast into the burning fiery furnace, only to walk unharmed in the flames with a fourth, divine figure beside them (Daniel 3:24–25). Their deliverance led the king to decree that no one should speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and he promoted them in the province of Babylon (Daniel 3:29–30).

Life Timeline

603 BC

Refuses to worship the golden image

Daniel 3:18
603 BC

Saved from the fiery furnace

Daniel 3:27

On the Bible timeline

Meshach 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 Meshach

Biblical themes that run through the passages where Meshach 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×
Abednego14×
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 Meshach

Who was Meshach in the Bible?

One of Daniel’s three Hebrew companions (Mishael) who, with Shadrach and Abednego, was saved from the fiery furnace for refusing to worship an idol.

What does the name Meshach mean?

The name Meshach means “Who is like Aku (Babylonian)”.

Where does Meshach appear in the Bible?

Meshach is mentioned 14 times across 1 book: Daniel.

What can we learn from Meshach?

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

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