Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 3:19

"Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: [therefore] he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was wont to be heated." — Daniel 3:19 (ASV)

Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury - The margin reads, "filled." He was exceedingly enraged. He evidently was not prepared for a stand so firm and determined on their part, and he did not appreciate their motives, nor was he disposed to yield to them the privilege and right of following their honest convictions. He was deeply stirred to anger when the complaint was made that they would not worship his gods (Daniel 3:13). But he had hoped that possibly they had not understood his command, and that what they had done had not been by deliberate purpose (see the notes on Daniel 3:14). Therefore, he had given them an opportunity to reconsider the subject and, by complying with his will, to save themselves from the threatened punishment.

He now saw, however, that what they had done was done deliberately. He saw that they firmly and intelligently refused to obey, and supposing now that they not only rebelled against his commands, but that they disregarded and despised even his forbearance (Daniel 3:15), it is no wonder that he was filled with wrath. What was with them fixed principle, he probably regarded as mere obstinacy, and he determined to punish them accordingly.

And the form of his visage was changed - As the face usually is when men become enraged. We may suppose that up to this point he had shown self-control; possibly he may have shown something like tenderness or compassion. He was indisposed to punish them, and he hoped that they would save him from the necessity of it by complying with his commands. Now he saw that all hope of this was vain, and he gave unrestrained vent to his angry feelings.

He spake and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated - The Chaldee reads, "Than it was seen to be heated;" that is, than it was ever seen. The word seven here is a perfect number, and the meaning is, that they should make it as hot as possible. He did not reflect probably that by this command he was contributing to shorten and abridge their sufferings. Wicked men, who are violently opposed to religion, often overdo the matter, and by their haste and impetuosity defeat the very end which they have in view, and even promote the very cause which they wish to destroy.