He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. KJV

The Trinitarian Claim

Some Trinitarians attempt to claim this verse is evidence of the pre-existent Son of Trinitarian doctrine. This claim is usually made by cherry picking from the King James translation.

The Claim vs. The Facts

The Scriptural facts show us that the fourth identity in the fire was an angel sent from God.

The Problems with the Claim

The following translations illustrate the problem.

the fourth is like a son of the gods. ASV

the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods. ESV

the fourth is like a son of the gods! NASB

the appearance of the fourth is like that of a god! NET

the fourth looks like a son of the gods. NIV

the fourth has the appearance of a god. NRSV

the fourth is like a son of the gods. RSV

Analysis of the Facts

A simple review of the context and basic reading comprehension reveals the truth of the matter:

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, "Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?" They replied to the King, "Certainly, O King." He said, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!" Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the midst of the fire. The satraps, the prefects, the governors and the King’s high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them. Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the King’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God.
Daniel 3:24-28

God sent His angel to protect His servants. Enough said.

Conclusion

Angels are sons of God. The context itself tells us this was an angel sent from God to protect Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

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Created: February 23, 2016
Last Revision/Update: February 23, 2016

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