Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
Is it true? - rather, as margin. (Theodotion), 'Is it purposely that ye do not serve my gods?' Compare the Hebrew, Numbers 35:20; Numbers 35:22. Notwithstanding his "fury," his past favour for them disposes him to give them the opportunity of excusing themselves, on the ground that their disobedience had not been intentional; so he gives them another trial, to see whether they would still worship the image.