Roots Archives Forum

hey, can someone explain the cultural significance of the three kings going into the fire? i'm not familiar at all with the bible, and whenever they are referenced in the songs i listen to i wish i knew the reference.

thanks
thomas

They had such faith in their creator that when the disbelievers wanted to burn them alive (for refusing to worship a golden idol), they knew they had protection.

Very similar story in the Islamic Koran, except it is the prophet Abraham cast in the fire.

interesting question. which part of the Bible is mentionned in ? thanks

Book of Daniel, the story is told from about Chapter 3 verse 12 onwards. There are various online bibles ... it's 'Abednigo' (or thereabouts), BTW.

Shadrach Meshach and Abednigo were three young men who refused to bow before anyone but The Mighty Most High Jah..they even stood fast in the face of death by fire...they were thrown into the furnace for not worshipping a golden image of the king... but were in the midst of the fire FOUR MEN...and they walked out of the fire without the smell of smoke nor was a hair singed on their heads! Check "Abednigo" by The Abyssinians or "Never Get Burn" by Twinkle Brothers.

yeah, know those tunes; seems there are some specific Bible passages that interests rastas more than others; they also often refer to Daniel (in the lions den)or of course the amargedeon.. Would be interesting to know why those texts are so often sung about while the Bible contains thousands of stories and characters.
Anyway thanks for the precisions Snow Leopard and Meshak de bubbla; Bless up

and by the viceroys as well "miracles" and shedrach mesach and abendigo" they have a good bible translation on those tracks check em out

The reason why Rasta is so interested in these stories in particular is, I believe, because they convey strength through faith in God in the face of oppression.

Shadrack, Meshack and Abendigo were enslaved and an attempt was made to force them to deny their true God. But they resisted and kept their faith and were rewarded by their God, they were saved.

The same is true of David and Goliath, which echoes the struggle against the seemingly invincible might of the Babylon Shistem.

Many feel the stories are symbolic and not meant to be taken literaly. Hmm, I prefer to believe in an age, long gone, when miricles of pure faith were often manifested in the face of evil and oppression.

For me, the best song of the Shadrack story isn't actually a reggae song, it's Brook Benton's masterful telling of the story in his very special style.

"Get up, stand up, don't give up the fight"

much thanks for the heartical info.. I'll try this brook benton,
cheers

trying to locate my mp3 of that Brooke Benton song, message me on here Benjamin and I will try to upload it for you to listen to if I can find it