אַתּוּן (at.tun)
at.tun
furnace
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word at-tun, translated as furnace, appears exclusively in the book of Daniel within the narrative of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It describes a device of intense heat used for execution, yet in this context, it becomes the setting for divine deliverance. The text emphasizes that the king heated the furnace seven times more than usual, highlighting the extreme danger the men faced.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God’s presence is not limited to comfortable or safe circumstances. When you face trials that feel overwhelming or unjust, remember that the same God who walked with the three young men in the fire is present with you. The furnace does not destroy those who trust in Him; instead, it reveals His glory in the midst of the flames.
This story invites you to rest in the assurance that your faithfulness matters, even when the outcome seems uncertain. You are never alone in your struggles, for God’s power is made perfect in situations where human strength fails completely.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] furnace of7×
- to/ [the] furnace of1×
- and/ furnace/ the1×
- <obj.>/ furnace/ the1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַתּ֥וּן4×
- לְ/אַתּוּנָ֔/א1×
- לְ/אַתּ֥וּן1×
- וְ/אַתּוּנָ֖/א1×
- אַתּוּן\־1×
- אַתּ֨וּן1×
- אַתּ֣וּן1×
Key Verses
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Daniel 3:6
Whoever doesn’t fall down and worship shall be cast into the middle of a burning fiery furnace the same hour.”
This verse establishes the furnace as the immediate consequence of refusing to worship Nebuchadnezzar's image, setting the stakes for the entire narrative.
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Daniel 3:17
If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
Here the word appears in a statement of faith, showing that the men trusted God’s ability to deliver them regardless of whether He chose to do so.
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Daniel 3:22
Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
The furnace's extreme heat is highlighted here as the cause of death for the soldiers who cast the men in, contrasting their fate with the survival of the three faithful men.
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Daniel 3:26
Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace. He spoke and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the middle of the fire.
This reference marks the moment of deliverance, where the king calls the men out of the furnace, confirming that they were unharmed by the fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word at-tun mean?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Why is the furnace significant in Daniel 3?
How is this word different from other words for fire?
Every Occurrence (10 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 10 verses
Whoever doesn’t fall down and worship shall be cast into the middle of a burning fiery furnace the same hour.”
Daniel 3:11and whoever doesn’t fall down and worship shall be cast into the middle of a burning fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:15Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music…
Daniel 3:17If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out…
Daniel 3:19Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the form of his appearance was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and…
Daniel 3:20He commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the…
Daniel 3:21Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other clothes, and were cast into…
Daniel 3:22Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those…
Daniel 3:23These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the middle of the burning fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace. He spoke and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and…