Closer Look: The God of Nebuchadnezzar

Read Daniel 3:1. Ask: How does verse 1 describe Nebuchadnezzar’s created god? (The image was extremely large—90 feet high and 9 feet wide—and it was made of gold.) Stress that 90 feet would approximate a nine-story building.

To help learners further visualize the image, provide the following information:

• The image was made of wood but would have gold plating.
• The image probably represented the Babylonian god Nebo (also written as Nabu). (Note: You can find pictures of the statue of Nebo by searching online, using “Nebo” as the search term.)
• Nebuchadnezzar’s name meant “Nebo protect the boundary.”

Discuss: Based on this information, why would Nebuchadnezzar have thought it important to worship Nebo?