שַׁדְרַךְ
Definition
Shadrach is the Babylonian name given to Hananiah, one of the three Jewish exiles who served in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:7). The name is of foreign, likely Akkadian, origin and is used exclusively in the Book of Daniel to identify this key figure. Shadrach is most famous for his unwavering faith, as he, along with Meshach and Abednego, refused to worship the king's golden image and was miraculously delivered from the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:12-30). The name itself carries no specific Hebrew meaning, functioning primarily as a personal identifier within the narrative of exile and divine protection.
Biblical Usage
The name Shadrach appears 13 times, exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Book of Daniel (Daniel 1-3). It is used in narrative contexts to refer to one of Daniel's three companions. Its usage highlights their identity within the Babylonian system, often listed alongside Meshach and Abednego (e.g., Daniel 2:49, Daniel 3:12). The name is central to the story of their defiance and miraculous salvation in Daniel 3.
Etymology
Shadrach (Aramaic: שַׁדְרַךְ) is a Babylonian name, not of Hebrew origin. It is likely derived from the Akkadian name Šudur-Aku, meaning 'command of Aku' (the moon god). This follows the pattern of the Babylonian court renaming Hebrew captives with names that incorporated references to Mesopotamian deities (cf. Daniel 1:7). It is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew name Hananiah, which means 'Yahweh has been gracious.'
Semantic Range
Shadrach represents the theme of faithful witness in a hostile, pagan environment. His story (Daniel 3) is a profound testament to uncompromising loyalty to God, even under threat of death. The deliverance from the furnace demonstrates God's sovereign power to save and His presence with His people in suffering. Understanding that Shadrach's Babylonian name invoked a false god contrasts powerfully with his actions, which glorified the one true God, enriching the narrative's call to courageous faith.
In the ancient Near East, renaming captives was a common practice to assert dominance and assimilate them into a new culture. By giving Hananiah the name Shadrach, which invoked the Babylonian moon god Aku, the empire attempted to redefine his identity and allegiance. This cultural context makes the trio's refusal to worship Nebuchadnezzar's image (Daniel 3:18) a direct and dangerous rejection of both political authority and the religious syncretism demanded of them.
Hananiah (H2608) — Shadrach's original Hebrew name, meaning 'Yahweh has been gracious.' Meshach (H4336) — The Babylonian name given to Mishael, another of the three companions. Abednego (H5664) — The Babylonian name given to Azariah, the third companion.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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