Original Word: שַׁדְרַךְ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Shadrak
Pronunciation: SHAD-rak
Phonetic Spelling: (shad-rak')
KJV: Shadrach
NASB: Shadrach
Word Origin: [probably of foreign origin]

1. Shadrak, the Bab. name of one of Daniel's companions

Shadrach

Probably of foreign origin; Shadrak, the Bab. Name of one of Daniel's companions -- Shadrach.

Word Origin
probably of foreign origin
Definition
Bab. name of one of Daniel's companions
NASB Translation
Shadrach (1).

שַׁדְרַךְ proper name, masculine Babylonian name given to חֲנַנְיָה, one of Daniel's comrades Daniel 1:7 (form and meaning dubious; Dl (compare COT Dr) Šudur-Aku, command of Aku; Jen^{ThLZ 1895, 328} thinks Persian [*Khšatraka]; Köhler^{ZA iv (1889), 50} conjectures מרדך, so Wkl^{Altor. Forsch. iii. 47. 57} Zim^{KAT 3. 396}).

שׁדשׁ (√of following; Sabean סדתֿ, סתֿ, six SabDenkm⁹⁰ Hom^{Chrest. 47. 124}; Arabic sixth (assimilation of last consonant), , six; Ethiopic six; Assyrian sudušu (s!) six-fold, seššu, sixth; compare also Aramaic שֵׁית, שִׁתָּא, , six, Nabataean שת, Palmyrene שתא Ldzb³⁸³ SAC¹¹⁸).

שַׁדְרַךְ₁₃ proper name, masculine (compare Biblical Hebrew id.); — Daniel 2:49; Daniel 3:12 11t. 3.

Identity and Background

Shadrach (שַׁדְרַךְ) is the Babylonian court name assigned to Mishael, one of four young Judeans exiled to Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar. The Hebrew form appears once (Daniel 1:7), while later occurrences in Daniel use the Aramaic spelling, consistently identifying the same person. Shadrach is always linked with Hananiah and Azariah (renamed Meshach and Abednego) and with Daniel, presenting a unified portrait of faithful covenant believers in a hostile culture.

Historical Setting

The narrative unfolds shortly after Babylon’s first deportation of Judah’s elite in 605 B.C. (Daniel 1:1–4). Imperial policy sought to reshape these captives through education, diet, and new names tied to Babylonian deities (Daniel 1:4–7). Shadrach’s account highlights resistance to spiritual assimilation.

Daniel 1: The Dietary Test

Refusing the royal fare, Shadrach and his companions request vegetables and water. “At the end of ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than all the young men who were eating the king’s food” (Daniel 1:15). Their obedience secures divine favor and unprecedented wisdom, setting the tone for later deliverance.

Daniel 2: Promotion after the Dream

When Nebuchadnezzar threatens the sages, Daniel seeks God’s mercy with Shadrach and the others (Daniel 2:17–18). After God reveals the dream, the king appoints Shadrach to high provincial authority (Daniel 2:49). The promotion underscores God’s ability to exalt His faithful servants within pagan structures.

Daniel 3: The Fiery Furnace

Nebuchadnezzar erects a colossal image and commands universal worship. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answer, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us… But even if He does not, we will not serve your gods” (Daniel 3:17–18). God joins them in the flames—“the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods” (Daniel 3:25)—and they emerge unharmed, leading to royal acknowledgment of Yahweh’s supremacy (Daniel 3:28–30).

Theological Themes

• Covenant loyalty: The trio embodies steadfast obedience to the first commandment despite lethal pressure.
• Divine presence: The fourth figure foreshadows Christ’s solidarity with suffering saints (Matthew 28:20).
• Sovereignty of God over nations: Nebuchadnezzar’s confession (Daniel 3:29) anticipates the universal kingdom proclaimed in Daniel’s visions.
• Eschatological assurance: Deliverance from fire previews ultimate salvation from final judgment flames (Daniel 12:1–3; Revelation 20:14).

Ministry Significance

1. Encourages believers facing persecution to prioritize worship over safety.
2. Exemplifies formative youth discipleship grounded in Scripture and prayer.
3. Offers a paradigm for public witness: faithful integrity plus miraculous vindication can turn rulers toward God (Acts 16:25–34).
4. Shapes worship language; the “Song of the Three” (early Christian hymnody) and modern praise draw on the furnace episode.

Canonical and Literary Influence

Placed among Daniel’s court tales (chapters 1–6), Shadrach’s account parallels Joseph’s trials in Egypt (Genesis 39) and anticipates apostolic courage before hostile authorities (Acts 4–5). Later Jewish writings (1 Maccabees 2:59) and early church fathers (Tertullian, Chrysostom) cite the furnace as typological of baptism and resurrection.

Conclusion

Though the Hebrew form of Shadrach’s name surfaces only once, his life demonstrates unwavering fidelity, God’s rescuing power, and the triumph of divine sovereignty. His legacy continues to call God’s people to courageous holiness and confident hope amid cultural pressure.

שַׁדְרַ֔ךְ שדרך šaḏ·raḵ šaḏraḵ shadRachInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts