Therefore,
I make a decree.
‘Any people,
Any nation,
Any language
That utters
Blasphemy
Against the God
Of Shadrach,
Of Meshach,
Of Abednego,
Shall be torn
Limb from limb.
Their houses will be
Laid in ruins.
There is no other god
Who is able
To deliver
In this way.’”
Now in a complete reversal, King Nebuchadnezzar issued a decree to all the people, all the countries, and all the language groups. Anyone who blasphemed the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would be torn limb from limb. They would also lose their houses. Anyone speaking badly about the God of Israel would be punished. This king was able to accept a new better God in his polytheistic vision of the world, as his golden statute became less important.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 