Fourth Figure

Overview

• Testament: Old
• Book: Daniel
• Chapters: 3:19–27
• Summary: Cast into the fiery furnace, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walk unhurt with a fourth whose form is like the Son of God, and Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the God who delivered them.

Details

When the three Hebrews refused to bow to his golden image, Nebuchadnezzar commanded the furnace heated seven times more than usual and ordered the mightiest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them in fully clothed. The flame was so fierce that it slew the men who threw them in, yet the three fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then the king rose in astonishment and asked his counsellors, “Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They affirmed it, and he answered, “Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Nebuchadnezzar drew near the mouth of the furnace and called them out as servants of the most high God. The princes gathered and saw that the fire had no power over their bodies: not a hair was singed, their coats were unchanged, and not even the smell of fire was on them. The king blessed their God, who had sent his angel to deliver his servants who trusted in him.

Key People Involved

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — The three faithful Hebrews delivered from the fire
• Nebuchadnezzar — King who saw the fourth figure and praised God

Key Places

• Babylon — Where the furnace stood on the plain of Dura

Important Verses

• Daniel 3:25 — “the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
• Daniel 3:27 — “nor the smell of fire had passed on them.”

Cross-References

• Related events: Daniel in the Lions’ Den
• Foreshadowed: A possible appearance of the preincarnate Christ; see theme Incarnation

Notes

The fourth figure walking in the flames testifies that God is present with his people in their trial, delivering not from the furnace only but in the very midst of it.