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Azariah

the one who prayed in the furnace

Who was Azariah?

Also called
Abednego, the name he was given in Babylon Daniel 1:7
From
From Judah Daniel 1:6
Occupation
Administrator of the province of Babylon, at Daniel’s request Daniel 2:49
Feast day
December 16: Saints Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael
Azariah, an artistic recreation

What the Bible says

Daniel 1:6-7

6Now there were among them of the children of Juda, Daniel, Ananias, Misael, and Azarias. 7And the master of the eunuchs gave them names: to Daniel, Baltassar: to Ananias, Sidrach: to Misael, Misach: and to Azarias, Abdenago.

Daniel 3:12, 18

12Now there are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the works of the province of Babylon, Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago: these men, O king, have slighted thy decree: they worship not thy gods, nor do they adore the golden statue which thou hast set up. 18But if he will not, be it known to thee, O king, that we will not worship thy gods, nor adore the golden statue which thou hast set up.

Daniel 3:25-26; Daniel 3:49-50

25Then Azarias standing up prayed in this manner, and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire, he said: 26Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and thy name is worthy of praise, and glorious for ever:

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Azariah

  1. Before Jesus. He was one of the young men of Judah chosen to serve in the palace of the king of Babylon. Daniel 1:3-6
  2. Before Jesus. With Daniel, Hananiah and Mishael, he ate vegetables and drank water for ten days. At the end they looked healthier than those who ate the king’s food. Daniel 1:12-15
  3. Before Jesus. God gave the four young men knowledge and wisdom. The king found them ten times wiser than the magicians of his kingdom. Daniel 1:17, 19-20
  4. Before Jesus. When the king wanted to kill the wise men, Daniel asked Azariah and his other two companions to pray. God revealed the dream to Daniel. Daniel 2:12-19
  5. Before Jesus. After the king’s dream, Daniel asked that Azariah and his two companions be put in charge of the affairs of the province of Babylon. Daniel 2:49
  6. With Jesus. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered everyone to worship a golden statue. Azariah and his two companions did not worship it. Daniel 3:1, 5, 12
  7. With Jesus. They told the king that God could save them. And that even if he did not save them, they would not worship the statue. Daniel 3:16-18
  8. Afterward. They were thrown, bound, into the furnace. In the middle of the fire, Azariah stood up and prayed aloud. Daniel 3:20-25
  9. Afterward. He praised God and confessed the sins of his people. He asked God to deal with them according to his great mercy. Daniel 3:26-29, 42
  10. Afterward. The angel of the Lord came down into the furnace and drove out the flames. They came out unharmed, and the king blessed the God of the three. Daniel 3:49-50, 93-95
  11. Afterward. When they came out of the furnace, the king honored Azariah and his companions in the province of Babylon. Daniel 3:97

Words of Azariah

“Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and thy name is worthy of praise, and glorious for ever.” Daniel 3:26

As he began his prayer, standing in the middle of the fire.

“Nevertheless in a contrite heart and humble spirit let us be accepted.” Daniel 3:39

In his prayer, when he said they no longer had a Temple or sacrifices.

“And now we follow thee with all our heart, and we fear thee, and seek thy face.” Daniel 3:41

In his prayer in the furnace.

“But if he will not, be it known to thee, O king, that we will not worship thy gods, nor adore the golden statue which thou hast set up.” Daniel 3:18

All three together, to King Nebuchadnezzar.

What they were like

The greatest thing they did

Not to be confused with

In the Church today

Feast day: December 16, Saints Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael (commemoration (not on the General Roman Calendar or the U.S. calendar)). Roman Martyrology (2004)

In art, recognized by: The three young men in the furnace, sometimes with an angel From Dn 3, 49-50; this is how Christian art shows them

What people ask

What did Azariah pray in the furnace?

He praised God and admitted that his people had sinned. He asked God to deal with them according to his mercy. Daniel 3:26-29, 42

Why does he have two names?

In Babylon the four young men were given new names. The NAB note says it was a sign that the king was adopting them. Daniel 1:7; NAB note on Dn 1, 7

Where is his prayer found?

In chapter 3 of the Book of Daniel, verses 24 to 45. The Church has always held it to be part of Scripture. Daniel 3:24-45; NAB note on Dn 3, 24-90

What happened to the fire?

The angel of the Lord came down into the furnace and drove out the flames. Inside it felt like a cool, dewy breeze. Daniel 3:49-50

What does Azariah’s prayer say about the people far from their land?

That they had no leader, no prophet, no sacrifices and no place to offer God their first fruits. Daniel 3:38

What did Azariah ask God at the end of his prayer?

To rescue them by his wonders and bring glory to his name. And to let everyone know that he alone is the Lord God. Daniel 3:43-45

Little known Mattathias, the father of the Maccabees, recalled that Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael were saved from the fire by their faith. 1 Maccabees 2:59 There are many men named…

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Who Azariah is connected to

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All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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