Daniel Chapter 3 A New Translation and Commentary

By Richie Cooley

This is a new version of the story of Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace. It focuses on prophetic semblances, including Messianic prophecies and eschatological doctrines.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richie Cooley
• Release date: Jan 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463115633

Richie Cooley

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Daniel Chapter 3

A New Translation and Commentary

by Richie Cooley

Licensed by:

Richie Cooley (2020); [edited:] November, 2022

Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0 International

Table of Contents

Introduction

I. The Gathering: Verses 1-3

II. The Proclamation: Verses 4-6

III. The Adversaries: Verses 7-12

IV. More Nerve Required: Verses 13-15

V. Bold Rebuttals: Verses 16-18

VI. The Punishment: Verses 19-23

VII. The Resurrection: Verses 24-27

VIII. The New Proclamation: Verses 28-30

A Brief Closing Word

Citations

Before getting started, let’s review a few notes that are common to my writings…

*British spelling is often used, except for the quoted material, which normally employs U.S. spelling.

*New Testament Scripture is normally taken from the Analytical-Literal Translation of the New Testament: Third Edition (ALT3). Copyright © 2007 by Gary F. Zeolla of Darkness to Light ministry. Previously copyrighted © 1999, 2001, 2005 by Gary Zeolla.

*Old Testament Scripture is normally taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE® (NASB), copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

*The terms LORD, GOD, and Hashem are all ways to describe the personal name of God, also rendered as Yahweh or Jehovah.

*The ALT3 distinguishes between singular and plural second-person pronouns by means of an asterisk (*).

*Divine pronouns are normally not capitalized, unless they appear that way in Bible versions or other quotes.

*As a general rule, words that appear in brackets within quotes are not found in the original texts, and were added by the translators or are my personal comments, etc.

Introduction

Louis Theroux’s coverage of Westboro Baptist was some of the most interesting work that he has done. These were the skewed fundamentalists whom everyone loved to loathe a few years back (especially other fundamentalists such as myself). Like the snake-handlers of the Carolinas, they were an embarrassment—having become infamous through being crudely contemptuous.

Nevertheless, they were also vulnerable human beings with a very interesting timeline (so to speak).

The initial instalment from Theroux was especially interesting, as the young, sensitive descendants of the leader were juxtaposed to the unreasonable, frumpy, recalcitrant patriarch. Apart from the sheer entertainment factor of the young gals being pulled between the patriarch and an attraction to Louis, the core of Westboro’s flaw was deftly exposed.

Moreover, this warning against hostility/bitterness was exacerbated as the years rolled on. The group managed to grow worse and worse with time—unto an explosion within the original circle.

We’ll revisit them later; let’s now rather swiftly focus on their core problems. For with the violence engulfing Western politics, some lessons are begging to be proclaimed. Great swathes of the left and the right seem to have become proverbial members of Westboro Baptist.

In the midst of criticism and controversy, any doctrinaire may become hostile and bitter. Yet, if that’s where we find ourselves, then we’re in a period of weakness—and not of strength. It wouldn’t be a time to lead a ministry but rather a time to retire and refresh ourselves through the gentle sustenance found within God’s Word. If we can’t handle the heat of service without growing hostile and bizarre, it’s probably because we’re not truly serving….

And if I dole out all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I shall be burned, but am not having love, I am not at all benefited. -- 1 Corinthians 13:3

Such bitter vehemence is in violation of many clear Scriptures. For example, Paul wrote:

Let all bitterness and rage and anger and clamor [or, angry shouts of dissatisfaction] and slander be removed from you*, [along] with all malice. -- Ephesians 4:31

Occasionally however, for a short season, servants of Yahweh may be called upon to be bold and brazen. For Paul wrote a few verses earlier...

Wherefore, putting away the lying, speak truth each with his neighbour, because we are members one of another; be angry and do not sin; let not the sun go down upon your wrath, neither give place to the devil... -- Ephesians 4:25-27 [Young’s Literal Translation]

There are some pulse-pounding instances where anger is inevitable. So when and how is it okay to be angry? This new translation and commentary of Daniel, chapter 3, seeks to exegete an inflaming occasion in an attempt to provide the answers.

Moreover, many key theological themes are packed