Names: Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-Nego

Question

I recently heard that the 3 youth taken with Daniel were given names that were related to the false gods of Babylon. I can’t find the meaning of the names so I can share the info in Bible study.

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    The Book of Daniel in 1:7 states, “The chief officer gave them names: to Daniel he gave [the name] Belteshazzar; to Channaniah he gave Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.”

    Belteshazzar – was the name of a Babylonian idol.
    Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego are all Aramaic names but their meanings are not revealed. The commentaries point out that the fact that Daniel was named after their god was an indication of his great spiritual standing.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team