STEVEN SEARCY is the author of a poetry collection, Below the Brightness (Solum Press, 2024). His poems have appeared in Southern Poetry Review, Commonweal, Blue Unicorn, New Verse Review, and elsewhere. He lives with his wife and four sons in Atlanta, Georgia

The Exiles from Judah in the Court of Nebuchadnezzar

Danial 3

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah
would not bow and worship any golden image
as the king of Babylon had strictly ordered.
When the music played, the king’s officials gathered,
paying homage to the massive golden statue.
Soon the Hebrew youths were called into the presence
of the king, to give account for disobeying.

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah
came before the fiery king and spoke with boldness:
“We must serve the one true God: his name is Yahweh.
We would rather die than bow to any other.
We can never worship as the king commands us,
even if it means we’re cast into the furnace.
God is powerful to save us, if he wills it.”

Then the king of Babylon was wild with anger,
ordering to make the furnace extra deadly
while the three young men were tied with savage cruelty,
bound to face the unrelenting flames of judgment,
cast into the hand of God with fates uncertain.
Even guards who brought them near the furnace perished—
casualties of fury at defiant Hebrews.

Then the king of Babylon stood up, astonished,
staring at the blaze in terrified confusion:
“Three were thrown into the fire, but now I notice
four, and all untied and walking in the furnace,
totally unharmed. And look, the fourth is glowing
like a mighty son of gods. I can’t believe it!
Servants of the Most High God, come stand before me!”

All the king’s officials came and looked with wonder,
seeing how the Hebrew youths were safe and happy,
hair and garments free from any singe or odor,
shielded by a strength to shame the greatest idol.
Then the king of Babylon declared with boldness:
“All must give respect—this Hebrew god is mighty!
Look at how he intervened to save his servants!”

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah
bowed before the king but gave their praise to Yahweh:
“Who is like our God, who helped us? He is gracious.”

---

*Hananiah means “Yahweh is gracious”
*Mishael means “Who is like God?”
*Azariah means “Yahweh has helped”