The Meaning of Daniel 3:8 Explained

Daniel 3:8

KJV: Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

YLT: Therefore at that time drawn near have certain Chaldeans, and accused the Jews;

Darby: Whereupon at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

ASV: Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Wherefore  at that  time  certain  Chaldeans  came near,  and accused  the Jews. 

What does Daniel 3:8 Mean?

Study Notes

Chaldeans
Cf. the conduct of Daniel, Daniel 2:24 .

Context Summary

Daniel 3:1-18 - Loyalty Severely Tested
The king, at the close of the foregoing chapter, acknowledged the supremacy of Daniel's God, yet here he erects an image to Bel and to himself, demanding divine honor. Probably there was state policy in this. In so heterogeneous an empire of peoples, nations, and languages, there could be no unity but in universal prostration before one and the same object. Nineteen years had elapsed since the recovery of the lost dream. In that period successful wars had been waged and vast treasures accumulated which made this vast expenditure possible. Imagine the assembled myriads, the glittering array of princes, satraps, viceroys, statesmen, and priests, the grouped bands, and in the background the furnace. The three youths could not have stood alone amid the prostrate throng, had they not been supported by a living faith in the God of their fathers, Hebrews 11:33-34. They would not argue, but they could die, if God willed. Their attitude must be taken and maintained altogether apart from any expectation of deliverance. Our God whom we serve is able-and He will. [source]

Chapter Summary: Daniel 3

1  Nebuchadnezzar dedicates a golden image in Dura
3  They being threatened, make a good confession
8  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are accused for not worshipping the image
19  They are cast into the furnace,
24  from which God delivers them
28  Nebuchadnezzar seeing the miracle blesses God, and advances them

What do the individual words in Daniel 3:8 mean?

Reason For therefore at that time came forward certain Chaldeans and accused which Jews
כָּל־ קֳבֵ֤ל דְּנָה֙ בֵּהּ־ זִמְנָ֔א קְרִ֖בוּ גֻּבְרִ֣ין כַּשְׂדָּאִ֑ין וַאֲכַ֥לוּ קַרְצֵיה֖וֹן דִּ֥י יְהוּדָיֵֽא

כָּל־  Reason 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, whole, the whole.
בֵּהּ־  at 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
זִמְנָ֔א  that  time 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular determinate
Root: זְמַן  
Sense: a set time, time, season.
קְרִ֖בוּ  came  forward 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine plural
Root: קְרֵב  
Sense: to approach, come near.
גֻּבְרִ֣ין  certain 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: גְּבַר  
Sense: a man, a certain (one).
כַּשְׂדָּאִ֑ין  Chaldeans 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: כַּשְׂדָּי  
Sense: the inhabitants of Chaldea, living on the lower Euphrates and Tigris.
קַרְצֵיה֖וֹן  accused 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: קְרַץ  
Sense: piece.
יְהוּדָיֵֽא  Jews 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: יְהוּדָי  
Sense: Jew.