Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego
Overview
- Testament: Old
- Role: Daniel’s three Judean companions who refused idolatry in Babylon
- Family: Judean exiles of noble or royal background
- Key Books: Daniel
Biography
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were taken to Babylon with Daniel and renamed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They shared Daniel’s refusal to be defiled by the king’s food and later refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image.
Their confession before the furnace is one of Scripture’s clearest statements of faithful allegiance without presumption: God was able to deliver them, but even if he did not, they would not worship the image.
Key Events
Relationships
- Daniel - Fellow Judean exile
- Nebuchadnezzar - King whose image they refused
- Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah - Individual Hebrew names
Important Verses
- Daniel 1:6-20
- Daniel 3:16-18
Cross-References
- Mentioned in: Daniel
Notes
Their story is a model of public faithfulness under empire: honor the king where possible, refuse idolatry where necessary.