Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
605 BC
📂 BIBLICAL
📖 About This Event
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (the Babylonian names of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) are among the most heroic figures in the Old Testament. When King Nebuchadnezzar erected a golden image 90 feet high in the plain of Dura and commanded all the officials to fall down and worship it at the sound of music, the three Hebrews refused. When brought before the king, they declared: 'The God in whom we trust is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up' (Daniel 3:17-18).
Their courage moved Nebuchadnezzar to rage, and he ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual. The soldiers who threw the three men in were killed by the flames, but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked unharmed in the fire, bound and robed. Nebuchadnezzar, astonished, cried out that he saw 'four men, unbound, walking about in the midst of the fire, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.' When the three emerged, not even the smell of fire was on them, and their hair and garments were unharmed.
The Catholic Church sees the fourth figure in the furnace as a prefiguration of Christ's presence with His suffering people. The three heroes' willingness to face death rather than compromise their faith is a model of martyrdom. Key Scripture: Daniel 3; Daniel 6:10-23; Revelation 13:15-17; CCC 2289
📜 Key Facts
Date
605 BC
Category
Biblical
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