Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego
Israelite / Jew Jews of Judah, in exile in Babylon · Exile & Return · Old Testament
- Also called
- Abednego, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah
- Role
- Three Hebrew companions of Daniel
- When
- c. 600 BC (reign of Nebuchadnezzar)
What they did
Refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image and were cast into the burning fiery furnace. A fourth like the Son of God walked with them, and they came out unharmed.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
Their courage led a Gentile king to bless their God and declare that no other god can deliver after this sort.
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 3:17 (KJV)
Bible references
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 Abed-nego. Daniel 1:7 (KJV)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 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. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Daniel 3:16-18 (KJV)
He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Daniel 3:25 (KJV)
Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, 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 3:28 (KJV)
Family
Their Hebrew names were Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (Daniel 1:6-7).