Daniel 3:5 Meaning and Explanation
“That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →At the sound of the royal orchestra, all are commanded to fall down and worship the golden image.
What Does Daniel 3:5 Mean?
The decree is spelled out: when the music plays, everyone must fall prostrate before the image. The lavish array of instruments turns idolatry into a grand ceremony, music engineered to sweep the crowd into unified obedience. Worship here is choreographed, triggered on cue.
Beauty and ceremony can be bent to compel what only love should freely give. The command demands the body's full submission, falling down, the posture due to God alone. By dressing coercion in splendor, the king hopes no one will pause to consider what they are doing. But true worship cannot be conducted like an orchestra; it rises from a heart that knows the difference between the Maker and the made.
Daniel 3:5 in the Original Language
segid (סְגִד), 'worship' -- to prostrate oneself in homage; the Aramaic verb runs through this chapter as the act demanded and refused.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel 3:5
What does Daniel 3:5 mean?
At the sound of the royal orchestra, all are commanded to fall down and worship the golden image.