Nebuchadnezzar Slapped by an Angel for Calling the Fourth a Son of God

Midrash Shmuel 5:7

"Multiply not, speak not so very high, high" (1 Samuel 2:3) — this speaks of Nebuchadnezzar, who answered and said, "Lo, I see four men... and the form of the fourth is like a son of God" (Daniel 3:25). Rabbi Pinchas in the name of Rabbi Reuven: At that hour an angel descended from heaven and struck him, and said to him, "Wicked one, putrid drop, retract your words! And does He have a son?" Immediately he answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who sent His angel" (Daniel 3:28) — "who sent His son" is not written here, but "who sent His angel." Rabbi Reuven said: he was an attendant of His own.

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