Abednego (עֲבֵד נְגוֹ, aved nego). One of the young Israelites whom Nebuchadnezzar brought into his court. His original name was Azariah (עֲזַרְיָה, azaryah; see Dan 1:7; 2:49; 3:8–30).

“Abednego” was the name given to the Israelite Azariah in Babylon. The name possibly means “servant of Nebo,” a Babylonian god. Abednego (along with Shadrach and Meshach) was a companion of Daniel. All of them refused to eat the provisions of the king’s table, and were given vegetables to eat and water to drink. They were found to be wise and were given administrative positions (Dan 2:49). They refused to bow down before Nebuchadnezzar’s golden idol, and were cast into a fiery furnace. After they were saved from the furnace (Dan 3:26), Nebuchadnezzar promoted them in the province of Babylon (Dan 3:30). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are mentioned by name in 1 Macc 2:59 and by implication in Heb 11:33–34. For further information about Abednego, and the deuterocanonical tradition surrounding him, see these articles: Abednego; Daniel, Book of; Song of the Three Young Men.