Matthew Poole and continuators on Daniel 3:14

14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, It is true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up .

Now when these men were brought before the King though in rage, yet he doth not presently throw them into the fire, but makes inquiry by interrogatories, that he might see first if they were guilty, by hearing them speak for themselves, and telling them he expected obedience and conformity to his Lawes from them, and it was in vain to look for any indulgence from him, he would bate them nothing, they should be burned: What do ye make a jest of my gods, and my Religion, and my Commands; so the word [illegible: 1 letter]seda in the Syriac doth signifie to scoff or deride, as if he had said, it is true indeed, that ye refuse to worship my gods; what do ye do it in earnest, or in jest, it seems by your carriage, if it be true what I hear of you, that ye slight my gods and make a mock of my Authority, but ye shall know there is no jesting with these edge-tools.

Marginal references: Or of purpose, as Exo. 21.13.