New English Translation
Daniel 2:21
21He changes times and seasons, deposing some kings and establishing others. He gives wisdom to the wise; he imparts knowledge to those with understanding;
Daniel 2:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
- New International Version (NIV)He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
- English Standard Version (ESV)He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;
- New King James Version (NKJV)And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.
Context of Daniel 2:21
19Then in a night vision the mystery was revealed to Daniel. So Daniel praised the God of heaven, 20saying, “Let the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to him. He changes times and seasons, deposing some kings and establishing others. He gives wisdom to the wise; he imparts knowledge to those with understanding; 22he reveals deep and hidden things. He knows what is in the darkness, and light resides with him. 23O God of my fathers, I acknowledge and glorify you, for you have bestowed wisdom and power on me. Now you have enabled me to understand what I requested from you. For you have enabled me to understand the king’s dilemma.”
Read all of Daniel 2Daniel 2:21 word by word
וְ֠הוּא מְהַשְׁנֵ֤א עִדָּנַיָּא֙ וְזִמְנַיָּ֔א מְהַעְדֵּ֥ה מַלְכִ֖ין וּמְהָקֵ֣ים מַלְכִ֑ין יָהֵ֤ב חָכְמְתָא֙ לְחַכִּימִ֔ין וּמַנְדְּעָ֖א לְיָדְעֵ֥י בִינָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And he changethשְׁנָאshenâ' · to changeH8133
- the timesעִדָּן‛iddân · timeH5732
- and the seasonsזְמַןzemân · timeH2166
- he removethעֲדָה‛ădâ' ‛ădâh · to pass on/over/awayH5709
- kingsמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4430
- and setteth upקוּםqûm · to stand: establishH6966
- he givethיְהַבyehab · to giveH3052
- wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2452
- unto the wiseחַכִּיםchakkîym · wiseH2445
- and knowledgeמַנְדַּעmanda‛ · knowledgeH4486
- to them that knowיְדַעyeda‛ · to knowH3046
- understandingבִּינָהbîynâh · understandingH999
Cross-references for Daniel 2:21
- Daniel 2:9If you don’t inform me of the dream, there is only one thing that is going to happen to you. For you have agreed among yourselves to report to me something false and deceitful until such time as things might change. So tell me the dream, and I will have confidence that you can disclose its interpretation.”
- Daniel 7:25He will speak words against the Most High. He will harass the holy ones of the Most High continually. His intention will be to change times established by law. They will be delivered into his hand For a time, times, and half a time.
- Daniel 11:6After some years have passed, they will form an alliance. Then the daughter of the king of the south will come to the king of the north to make an agreement, but she will not retain her power, nor will he continue in his strength. She, together with the one who brought her, her child, and her benefactor will all be delivered over at that time.
- 1 Chronicles 29:30Recorded there are all the facts about his reign and accomplishments, and an account of the events that involved him, Israel, and all the neighboring kingdoms.
- Esther 1:13The king then inquired of the wise men who were discerners of the times – for it was the royal custom to confer with all those who were proficient in laws and legalities.
- Job 34:24He shatters the great without inquiry, and sets up others in their place.
- Psalms 31:14But I trust in you, O Lord! I declare, “You are my God!”
- Ecclesiastes 3:1For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth:
- Jeremiah 27:5“I made the earth and the people and animals on it by my mighty power and great strength, and I give it to whomever I see fit.
- Daniel 4:17This announcement is by the decree of the sentinels; this decision is by the pronouncement of the holy ones, so that those who are alive may understand that the Most High has authority over human kingdoms, and he bestows them on whomever he wishes. He establishes over them even the lowliest of human beings.’
- 1 Samuel 2:7The Lord impoverishes and makes wealthy; he humbles and he exalts.
- Job 12:18He loosens the bonds of kings and binds a loincloth around their waist.
- Psalms 75:5Do not be so certain you have won! Do not speak with your head held so high!
- Psalms 113:7He raises the poor from the dirt, and lifts up the needy from the garbage pile,
- Proverbs 8:15Kings reign by means of me, and potentates decree righteousness;
- Luke 1:51He has demonstrated power with his arm; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance of their hearts.
Commentaries on Daniel 2:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21He changeth the times - Time, duration, succession are his, and under his dominion. It is in the course of his providence that one king is put down, and another raised up; and therefore he can distinctly tell what he has purposed to do in the great empires of the earth.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21And he changeth the times and the seasons - The object of this is to assert the general control of God in reference to all changes which occur. The assertion is made, undoubtedly, in view of the revolutions in empire which Daniel now saw, from the signification of the dream, were to take place under the Divine hand. Foreseeing now these vast changes denoted by different parts of the image Daniel 2:36-45, stretching into far-distant times, Daniel was led…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-23Verses 14-23 Daniel humbly prayed that God would discover to him the king's dream, and the meaning of it. Praying friends are valuable friends; and it well becomes the greatest and best men to desire the prayers of others. Let us show that we value our friends, and their prayers. They were particular in prayer. And whatever we pray for, we can expect nothing but as the gift of God's mercies. God gives us leave in prayer to tell our wants and burdens…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21The dream showed that the Lord rules over all history with complete power and authority (see Daniel 2:29–45).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. changeth ... times ... seasons--"He herein gives a general preparatory intimation, that the dream of Nebuchadnezzar is concerning the changes and successions of kingdoms" [Jerome]. The "times" are the phases and periods of duration of empires (compare Da 7:25; 1Ch 12:32; 29:30); the "seasons" the fitting times for their culmination, decline, and fall (Ec 3:1; Ac 1:7; 1Th 5:1). The vicissitudes of states, with their times and seasons, are not regulated…Read the comment
Topics related to Daniel 2:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Daniel 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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