Abednego

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

< p > This name was given to Azariah , by the Chaldeans . ( See & amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 1 : 7 .) I should not have thought it necessary , in a work of this kind , to have noticed the change of name ; neither perhaps the name itself , more than many others , to be met with in Scripture , which I shall pass by ; had it not been for the purpose of making an observation upon it ; and which I hope will not be found improper or unprofitable . I humbly conceive , that the motive with the Chaldeans , for changing the names of the children of the captivity , was somewhat more than the naturalizing them . The Hebrew , and the Chaldee language were very similar . The Chaldeans perfectly understood the Hebrew names . And they no less knew , how tenacious Hebrew parents were to give names to their children , which bore some relation to the Lord God of their fathers . In changing their names therefore , they not only designed to make them forget their beloved Jerusalem , but the yet more beloved Lord God of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob . And what a change they wrought here , in the instance of this man ! Azariah , or more properly speaking , Azar - Jah , meant , as the words themselves indeed express , the Lord is my help ; from Azar , assistance ; and Jab , Lord . But Abed - nego means the servant of Nego ; Abed or Obed being the Chaldee for servant . And Nego most probably was one of the dunghill idols of Babylon . So that from Azariah , to remind him , as often as he heard himself called , he might remember that Jehovah was his help ; he is brought into remembrance whenever he now heard his name , that he was the servant of an idol , in whom there is no help . Lord ! keep thy people from " mingling with the heathen , and learning their works ." (& amp ; nbsp ; Psalms 106 : 35 .)</ p >

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

< p > the Chaldee name given by the king of Babylon ' s officer to Azariah , one of Daniel ' s companions , & amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 1 : 7 . This name imports the servant of Nago , or Nego , which is supposed to signify the sun , or morning star , so called from its brightness . Abednego was thrown into a fiery furnace , at Babylon , with his two companions Shadrach and Meshach for refusing to adore the statue erected by the command of Nebuchadnezzar . God suffered them not to be injured by the flames ; but made the whole to redound to his own glory , and the shame of the idols of Babylon . One like unto the Son of God , or a Divine person , probably the Angel of the Divine presence himself , appeared in the midst of them ; and they came out of the furnace , which had been heated seven times hotter than usual , so completely preserved from the power of the flames , that not even " the smell of fire had passed upon them ." This was an illustrious instance of the courageous and hallowed spirit of martyrdom ; and the interposition was no doubt designed to encourage , the Jews while in captivity , living among idolaters , to hold fast their religion . It is an instance also of those gracious visitations to the old Heathen world , by which it was loudly called from its idolatries , and aroused to the acknowledgment of the true and only Jehovah , who , in various ways , " left not himself without witness " among them . A great temporary effect was produced by this and other miracles related in the book of Daniel ; but the people relapsed again into idolatry , and justly brought upon themselves all those wasting judgments which in succession swept over the mightiest and most ancient states .</ p >

People's Dictionary of the Bible

< p > Abednego ( A - Bĕd ' Ne - Gô ), Servant Of Nego or Nebo , a Chaldee name given to Azariah , one of the three captive young princes of Judah , who were Daniel ' s companions at the court of the king of Babylon . & amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 1 : 7 . Their virtue , wisdom , and piety secured their promotion at court , & amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 1 : 3 - 19 ; & amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 2 : 17 - 49 ; and their firmness in witnessing for God among idolaters , with their deliverance from the fiery furnace by Jehovah , led many to acknowledge the true God , and rendered these pious youths forever illustrious . & amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 3 : 1 - 30 ; & amp ; nbsp ; Hebrews 11 : 34 .</ p >

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

< p > Servant of Nego ; a Chaldee name give to Azariah , one of the three captive young princes of Judah , who were Daniel ' s companions at the court of the king of Babylon , & amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 1 : 7 . Their virtue , wisdom , and piety secured their promotion at court , & amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 1 : 3 - 19 & amp ; nbsp ; 2 : 17 , 49 ; and their steadfastness in witnessing for God among idolaters , with their deliverance from the fiery furnace by the Angel - Jehovah , led many to acknowledge the true God , and rendered these pious youth for ever illustrious as monuments of the excellence and safety of faith in Him , & amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 3 : 1 - 30 & amp ; nbsp ; Hebrews 11 : 34 . See Furnace . </ p >

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

< p > The Chaldee name (" servant of Nego ." i . e . Nebo or Mercury , the interpreter of the gods ) for Azariah , one of Daniel ' s three companions , miraculously delivered from the furnace into which they were cast for not worshipping Nebuchadnezzar ' s golden image ( Daniel 3 ). A tyrant may change the name , but he cannot change the nature , of him whose God is Jehovah . " The Son of God " with the three rendered the fire powerless to hurt even a hair of their heads (& amp ; nbsp ; Isaiah 43 : 2 ; & amp ; nbsp ; Matthew 10 : 30 ). The salvation He worked is herein typified : the Son of God walking in the furnace of God ' s wrath kindled by our sins ; connected with the church , yet bringing us faith without so much as " the smell of fire " passing on us .</ p >

Morrish Bible Dictionary

< p > The Chaldee name , signifying ' servant of Nego ,' given to Azariah , one of Daniel ' s companions . Refusing to worship Nebuchadnezzar ' s golden image , he was cast into the fiery furnace ; but was miraculously delivered by his God . & amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 1 : 7 ; & amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 3 : 1 - 30 .</ p >

Smith's Bible Dictionary

< p > Abed ' nego . ( that is , Servant Of Nego , perhaps the same as Nebo ). The Chaldean name given to Azariah , one of the three friends of Daniel , miraculously save from the fiery furnace . Daniel 3 . ( B . C . about 600 ).</ p >

Holman Bible Dictionary

& amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 1 : 7 & amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 2 : 48 - 3 : 30 < i > Nego </ i >Book Of Daniel Azariah

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

< p > < strong > ABEDNEGO </ strong > . & amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 1 : 7 , etc .; probably a corruption of Abed - nebo , < em > i . e .</ em > ‘ servant of Nebo .’ </ p >

Easton's Bible Dictionary

& amp ; nbsp ; Daniel 2 : 49

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

< p > Abed ´ nego ( Servant of Nego , i . e . Nebo ), the Chaldee name imposed by the king of Babylon ' s officer upon Azariah , one of the three companions of Daniel . With his two friends , Shadrach and Meshach , he was miraculously delivered from the burning furnace , into which they were cast for refusing to worship the golden statue which Nebuchadnezzar had caused to be set up ( Daniel 3 ).</ p >