The Golden Idol

In order to override the conclusion of his dream regarding the transience of the Babylonian kingdom, Nevukhadnetzar constructs a golden idol. He believes that if all bow down to the idol, he will eternalize the Babylonian kingdom. The refusal of only three Jews is thus viewed as a threat to this plan, just as Mordekhai’s refusal to bow to Haman was viewed as a threat. Their refusal to bow to the idol leads them to be cast into the fiery furnace just as Avraham was cast into the furnace of Nimrod many years earlier according to the Sages. The first king of Babylon, Nimrod, and his tower that rose to the heavens, are compared to Nevukhadnetzar, the current king, and his gold idol that rose sixty cubits high.