Original Word: אַתוּן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: attuwn
Pronunciation: at-TOON
Phonetic Spelling: (at-toon')
KJV: furnace
NASB: furnace
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) probably from the corresponding to H784 (אֵשׁ - fire)]

1. probably a fire-place
2. furnace

furnace

(Aramaic) probably from the corresponding to 'esh; probably a fire-place, i.e. Furnace -- furnace.

see HEBREW 'esh

Word Origin
(Aramaic) of uncertain derivation
Definition
a furnace
NASB Translation
furnace (10).

אַתוּן noun masculine^{Daniel 3:19} (probably feminine^{vDaniel 3:26}) furnace (probably loan-word from Assyrian utûnu, atûnu, id., [also Tel Amarna], DHM^{VOJ 1.23} Buhl; Syriac hence Arabic as loan-word Frä²⁶; Ethiopic Di⁷⁶³; conjectures on etymology in K^{§ 59 Anm.} Lag^{BN 111}); — construct ׳א Daniel 3:6,11,15,17,20,21,23,26; emphatic אַתוּנָא Daniel 3:19,22.

אִתַי see אִיתַי.

Occurrences and Narrative Setting

The noun אַתוּן appears ten times, all within Daniel 3, the Aramaic-language account of King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image and the ordeal of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Each occurrence designates the “fiery furnace” into which the faithful Hebrews are threatened, bound, and cast. The narrative flow may be traced through Daniel 3:6, 3:11, 3:15, 3:17, 3:19-23, and 3:26, culminating in their miraculous preservation.

Historical and Cultural Background

The Babylonian Empire employed immense brick kilns for construction and metallurgy. Archaeology at sites such as Babylon and Ur demonstrates furnaces capable of reaching the “seven times hotter” temperatures described in Daniel 3:19. Royal decrees often carried capital punishment by fire (cf. Jeremiah 29:22). The public location of such furnaces—adjacent to work yards and visible to crowds—fits the king’s desire for a spectacle that would enforce absolute loyalty to his rule and to the gods of Babylon.

Key Passages

Daniel 3:17: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.”

Daniel 3:26: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Sovereignty over Nations

The king controls the flames, yet God controls the outcome. The furnace becomes a stage upon which the Most High demonstrates supremacy over earthly rulers (Daniel 3:28-29).

2. Faith under Persecution

The threat of the furnace crystallizes genuine faith: “even if He does not” (Daniel 3:18) reveals wholehearted loyalty independent of deliverance.

3. Presence of the Deliverer

Nebuchadnezzar sees “a fourth, like a son of the gods” walking in the fire (Daniel 3:25). Many interpreters recognize a Christophany—an anticipatory appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ—symbolizing God’s intimate presence in believers’ trials.

4. Judgment and Refinement Imagery

Elsewhere Scripture uses furnaces both for punitive judgment (Deuteronomy 4:20; Matthew 13:42) and for refining the righteous (Isaiah 48:10; 1 Peter 1:7). Daniel 3 unites these motifs: the same fire that consumes the king’s mighty men (Daniel 3:22) purifies and glorifies the faithful.

Typology and Christological Implications

• The sealed furnace parallels the sealed tomb; both are opened to reveal divine vindication.
• The binding cords burned away (Daniel 3:25) prefigure liberation from sin’s bondage through the gospel.
• Royal edict after deliverance foreshadows global proclamation of the Messiah’s lordship (Philippians 2:10-11).

Ministry Application

• Suffering for obedience is not exceptional but normative; believers today must prepare hearts to confess Christ regardless of cost (Acts 5:29).
• Worship must be regulated by God’s Word, never coerced by culture or state.
• Pastoral encouragement draws on Daniel 3 to assure congregations that trials cannot separate them from the presence of the Savior (Romans 8:38-39).

Related Scripture

Isaiah 43:2 “When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched.”

1 Peter 4:12 “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial.”

Revelation 1:15 portrays the risen Christ with “feet like bronze glowing in a furnace,” echoing both judgment and solidarity with the persecuted church.

Summary

אַתוּן evokes more than a Babylonian kiln; it embodies the clash between idolatrous empire and uncompromising faith, showcases God’s preservation amidst lethal threat, and anticipates the ultimate Deliverer who walks with His people through every flame.

אַתּ֣וּן אַתּ֥וּן אַתּ֨וּן אַתּוּן־ אתון אתון־ וְאַתּוּנָ֖א ואתונא לְאַתּ֥וּן לְאַתּוּנָ֔א לאתון לאתונא ’at·tūn ’at·tūn- ’attūn ’attūn- atTun lə’attūn lə’attūnā lə·’at·tū·nā lə·’at·tūn leatTun leattuNa veattuNa wə’attūnā wə·’at·tū·nāInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts