The Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Holy Children facts for kids
The Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Holy Children are two special parts found in some Bibles. They are usually placed inside chapter three of the Book of Daniel. These sections are sometimes called Additions to Daniel because they add more details to the original story.
In chapter three of the Book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon built a huge statue made of gold. He told everyone in his kingdom to worship it. But three young Jewish men living in Babylon – Azariah, Hananiah, and Mishael – refused to worship the statue. They only wanted to worship God.
The king became very angry. He ordered his soldiers to throw the three men into a very hot furnace to kill them. But something amazing happened! An angel protected them from the fire, and they were not hurt at all. When King Nebuchadnezzar saw this miracle, he decided to let them go.
This main story is found in all Hebrew and Christian Bibles. However, some Christian Bibles, like those used by Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox Christians, have a longer version of this story.
The Prayer of Azariah
In the longer version of the story, Azariah's prayer is included after the three men are thrown into the fiery furnace. This prayer starts around verse 24 in these Bibles.
In his prayer, Azariah talks to God. He says that he and the other people of Judah (which was part of ancient Israel) have made mistakes and sinned against God. He tells God that they are truly sorry for what they have done. Azariah then asks God to protect them from the fire and to show them mercy.
The Song of the Three Holy Children
The Song of the Three Holy Children is another part of the longer version of the Book of Daniel. This song is sung by Azariah, Hananiah, and Mishael while they are still in the furnace.
In the song, the three young men praise God with all their hearts. They thank God for His power and kindness. They also invite everyone and everything around them – from the angels in heaven to the plants and animals on Earth – to join them in praising God. It's a song of great joy and faith, even in a dangerous situation.
Images for kids
-
Greek triptych from around 1550, showing the Three Holy Children in the left panel.
See also
In Spanish: La Oración de Azarías y el Cántico de los Tres Jóvenes para niños
