Abednego

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

This name was given to Azariah, by the Chaldeans. (See  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." ( Psalms 106:35.)

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

the Chaldee name given by the king of Babylon's officer to Azariah, one of Daniel's companions,  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.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

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.  Daniel 1:7. Their virtue, wisdom, and piety secured their promotion at court,  Daniel 1:3-19;  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.  Daniel 3:1-30;  Hebrews 11:34.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

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,  Daniel 1:7 . Their virtue, wisdom, and piety secured their promotion at court,  Daniel 1:3-19   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,  Daniel 3:1-30   Hebrews 11:34 . See Furnace

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

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 ( Isaiah 43:2;  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.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

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.  Daniel 1:7;  Daniel 3:1-30 .

Smith's Bible Dictionary

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).

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Daniel 1:7 Daniel 2:48-3:30 Nego Book Of DanielAzariah

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

ABEDNEGO .   Daniel 1:7 , etc.; probably a corruption of Abed-nebo, i.e. ‘servant of Nebo.’

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Daniel 2:49

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

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).