All You Dolphins, Otters and Sharks

The traditional Thanksgiving blessing in the Sweeney household is an adapted form of Daniel 3:57. Here's from what we read, gathered around the table holding hands:

(click for larger version)

Not being biblically inclined myself, I never gave too much thought to the story behind this passage (beyond being a beloved part of family Thanksgiving experiences).

The deuterocanonical Book of Daniel chronicles the story of Daniel, one of a number of Jewish nobility who were captured from the kingdom of Judah and taken to serve under Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Daniel and three other Israelites (Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah), although ostensibly captives, rose in influence in the pagan court of the king, although each held fast to their Jewish beliefs. Nebuchadnezzar renamed Daniel's companions with Babylonian names and they became Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These three insisted on keeping kosher and refused to worship an idol of the king, which infuriated Nebuchadnezzar and he cast the three into a fiery furnace. And by "fiery", I mean 70 foot flames (or 49 cubits). Old Testament God will have none of this: rather than a more-characteristic smiting of Nebuchadnezzar, an angel is sent to drive the flames away.



The three youths rejoice and sing a song of thanks. That song (with some changes) is the blessing we say before Thanksgiving.

The story of the three Hebrew youths was made into a VeggieTales episode and is referenced in songs by:

the Beastie Boys


Johnny Cash


and bluegrass legends Hot Rize.