Daniel 3

[Wayne]

Where was Daniel during the events of Daniel 3?

Given the extensive call to all the governors and officials of the land to come and bow down before the idol, he seems strangely absent from the account.

One commentator offers the idea that he was away on some diplomatic mission, and while that is plausible, it seems too convenient an answer.

Your thoughts?

 

[SolaScriptura]

Perhaps he was at home with the flu.


Seriously, I don't know.

 

[Contra_Mundum]

Daniel, who is probably responsible for this material in this form, doesn't need to write himself into this story. If he isn't present or prominent, why does he need a "staring role?"

I would argue that Daniel 1-4 is one basic story. It's the story of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel and his three friends are all "supporting actors" in this drama, which is ultimately about how one heathen king with a god-complex comes, by degrees, face to face with the real God. Daniel tells us the story of another king--very much like Pharaoh in Exodus--but whose contest with the God of the people he's oppressing has a very different, even blessed, outcome.

If God wasn't sovereign, we'd say it probably could never happen.

 

[MichaelNZ]

From the ESV Study Bible notes:

"Daniel himself is curiously absent; perhaps he is away on a mission, or perhaps above the administrative rulers mentioned in 3:3 and thus immune from such displays of Nebuchadnezzar’s pride, or perhaps the Chaldeans did not feel safe accusing Daniel."

 

[Peairtach]

Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king's court. (Dan 2:49, ESV)

I suppose one could also speculate about why Daniel is present in some of the incidents, while the three others aren't.