The Fiery Furnace
Exile & ReturnMeaning: “The burning furnace of Babylon”
God present with his people in the fire.
The blazing furnace into which three Hebrews were cast for refusing to worship the golden image — and walked out unharmed.
What It Was
When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, they were thrown into a furnace heated seven times hotter than usual (Daniel 3:19–23). The king then saw a fourth figure walking unbound in the flames, “like the Son of God,” and the three came out without even the smell of fire (Daniel 3:25–27).
Biblical Significance & Symbolism
Their answer — “our God… is able to deliver us… but if not… we will not serve thy gods” (Daniel 3:17–18) — is faith that obeys regardless of outcome. The fourth man in the fire pictures God’s promise: “when thou walkest through the fire… the flame shall not kindle upon thee” (Isaiah 43:2).
Timeline
The three Hebrews are delivered from the furnace
Scripture References
8 versesDaniel8 verses
Daniel 3:6
And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:11
And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:15
Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
Daniel 3:17
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
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 3:21
Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. coats: or, mantles hats: or, turbans
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
Topics & Symbolism
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Frequently asked about The Fiery Furnace
What was The Fiery Furnace in the Bible?
The blazing furnace into which three Hebrews were cast for refusing to worship the golden image — and walked out unharmed.
What does The Fiery Furnace symbolize?
God present with his people in the fire.
What does the name The Fiery Furnace mean?
The name The Fiery Furnace means “The burning furnace of Babylon”.
Where was The Fiery Furnace kept?
The Fiery Furnace was kept at Babylon.
Where is The Fiery Furnace first mentioned in the Bible?
The Fiery Furnace is first mentioned in Daniel 3:6.
How often is The Fiery Furnace mentioned in the Bible?
The Fiery Furnace is mentioned in 8 verses across 1 book: Daniel.
Who was thrown into the fiery furnace?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, for refusing to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image; they walked out unharmed, with a fourth figure seen in the flames (Daniel 3).
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