New International Version
Daniel 2:21
21He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
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:
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.
Context of Daniel 2:21
19During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
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 do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.”
- Daniel 7:25He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.
- Daniel 11:6After some years, they will become allies. The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an alliance, but she will not retain her power, and he and his power will not last. In those days she will be betrayed, together with her royal escort and her father and the one who supported her.
- 1 Chronicles 29:30together with the details of his reign and power, and the circumstances that surrounded him and Israel and the kingdoms of all the other lands.
- Esther 1:13Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times
- Job 34:24Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.
- Psalms 31:14But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.”
- Ecclesiastes 3:1There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
- Jeremiah 27:5With my great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please.
- Daniel 4:17“ ‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’
- 1 Samuel 2:7The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.
- Job 12:18He takes off the shackles put on by kings and ties a loincloth around their waist.
- Psalms 75:5Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak so defiantly.’ ”
- Psalms 113:7He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
- Proverbs 8:15By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;
- Luke 1:51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
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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