Old Testament Characters

Shadrach

Text:  Aku's command, the Chaldean name given to Hananiah, one of the 
Hebrew youths whom Nebuchadnezzar carried captive to Babylon (Dan. 
1:6, 7; 3: 12-30). 

He and his two companions refused to bow down before the image which 
Nebuchadnezzar had set up on the plains of Dura. Their conduct filled 
the king with the greatest fury, and he commanded them to be cast into 
the burning fiery furnace. Here, amid the fiery flames, they were 
miraculously preserved from harm. Over them the fire had no power, 
"neither was a hair of their head signed, neither had the smell of 
fire passed on them." Thus Nebuchadnezzar learned the greatness of the 
God of Israel. (See ABEDNEGO.) 




Meshach 

Text:  the title given to Mishael, one of the three Hebrew youths who 
were under training at the Babylonian court for the rank of Magi (Dan. 
1:7; 2:49; 3:12-30). This was probably the name of some Chaldean god. 



Abednego 

Text:  servant of Nego = Nebo, the Chaldee name given to Azariah, one 
of Daniel's three companions (Dan. 2:49). With Shadrach and Meshach, 
he was delivered from the burning fiery furnace (3:12-30).