John Gill Commentary Daniel 3:14

"Nebuchadnezzar answered and said unto them, Is it of purpose, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, that ye serve not my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?" — Daniel 3:14 (ASV)

Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said to them, is it true
What I have heard of you, what you are charged with and accused of; surely it cannot be; so Aben Ezra and Saadiah interpret the word as we do, and all the Oriental versions: it is only used in this place: it is expressed by way of admiration, as Jacchiades observes; it being incredible to the king, what he could never believe, unless it appeared plain in his own eyes.

Some ^F15 render it, is it a "desolation?" so Jarchi; is my decree such? or should you not obey it? was this suffered, nothing but disorder and desolation would follow in the kingdom: or, "is it of purpose?" as others ^F16 ; have you done this willingly and knowingly, or through imprudence and inadvertency? if the latter, it is pardonable; if not, it cannot be borne with. De Dieu, from the Syriac use of the word, renders it, "is it a joke?" are you serious, and in good earnest, or in joke, "that you worship not my gods? or do you mock me and them?"

O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ;
on whom I have conferred so many favours, raised from a low to a high estate, and yet used by you in this manner:

do you not serve my gods ;
one would think he had no need to have asked this question; since he must needs know, that, by their nation and religion, they served only one God, and could serve no other; and that by their daily practice they never did, in which they were indulged:

nor worship the golden image that I have set up ?
it is for the sake of this the question is put; this was the thing his heart was set upon; and such was his pride, that he could not bear any control in it.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F15: (aduh) "nunquid desolatio?" Montanus. So Jacchiades, and some in Ben Melech.
• F16: "An certo consilio?" Junius & Tremellius; "sive ex proposito?" Piscator; so Rabbenu Hai in Ben Melech; "an de industria?" Cocceius; "num revera, [vel] studiose?" Michaelis.