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Prayer of Azariah

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68Verses

0Notes

0Reflections

Book Introduction

The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Young Men is a Greek addition set inside Daniel 3, between the youths' entry into Nebuchadnezzar's furnace and their deliverance. Azariah confesses Israel's sins and pleads that contrite hearts be accepted where no sacrifice is possible; then, as an angel cools the flames, the three sing the Benedicite, summoning sun, stars, winds, seas, and all creation to bless the Lord. Catholics and Orthodox receive it as part of canonical Daniel; Protestants class it with the Apocrypha. Its canticle has been sung in Christian morning prayer for many centuries.

Author

Unknown; a Greek addition to Daniel by an anonymous Jewish author

Date

2nd century BC, likely during the Maccabean crisis

Audience

Jews suffering persecution for faithfulness to God's law

Purpose

To voice repentance and unquenchable praise from within the furnace, showing that God stands with the faithful in the fire.

Key Themes

Confession without a templeA contrite heart acceptedGod present in the fireAll creation praising God

Book Outline

1–22Azariah's prayer: confession and appeal to the covenant

23–28The furnace stoked; the angel drives out the flames

29–34The three bless the God enthroned above the cherubim

35–68The Benedicite: all works of the Lord, bless the Lord

Key Verses

Azariah 1:16–17May we be accepted with a contrite heart and humble spirit, as with burnt offerings.Azariah 1:20Do not put us to shame, but deal with us in your forbearance and mercy.Azariah 1:26–27The angel of the Lord makes the midst of the furnace like a moist wind.Azariah 1:35Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord; sing praise and exalt him forever.

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