Daniel 2:21

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וְ֠הוּא מְהַשְׁנֵ֤א עִדָּנַיָּא֙ וְזִמְנַיָּ֔א מְהַעְדֵּ֥ה מַלְכִ֖ין וּמְהָקֵ֣ים מַלְכִ֑ין יָהֵ֤ב חָכְמְתָא֙ לְחַכִּימִ֔ין וּמַנְדְּעָ֖א לְיָדְעֵ֥י בִינָֽה׃

Transliteration

And-he məhašnēʾ ʿiddānayyāʾ and-zimənayyāʾ, məhaʿdēh malkin and-məhāqêm malkin; yāhēb ḥākəmətāʾ to-ḥakkîmîn and-mandəʿāʾ to-yādəʿê bînāh.

Grammar Details

• *məhašnēʾ*: verb, Pael participle, masculine singular - changes
• *ʿiddānayyāʾ*: noun, masculine plural, emphatic state - times/seasons
• *zimənayyāʾ*: noun, masculine plural, emphatic state - times/seasons
• *məhaʿdēh*: verb, Aphel participle, masculine singular - removes
• *malkin*: noun, masculine plural - kings
• *məhāqêm*: verb, Aphel participle, masculine singular - establishes/sets up
• *yāhēb*: verb, Peal participle, masculine singular - gives
• *ḥākəmətāʾ*: noun, feminine, emphatic state - wisdom
• *ḥakkîmîn*: noun, masculine plural - wise ones
• *mandəʿāʾ*: noun, masculine, emphatic state - knowledge
• *yādəʿê*: participle, masculine plural, construct state - knowers of
• *bînāh*: noun, feminine - understanding

Word Meanings

• *məhašnēʾ*: changes/alters
• *ʿiddānayyāʾ*: times/seasons/epochs
• *zimənayyāʾ*: times/appointed times/seasons
• *məhaʿdēh*: removes/deposes
• *məhāqêm*: establishes/sets up/installs
• *yāhēb*: gives/grants
• *mandəʿāʾ*: knowledge/insight
• *yādəʿê bînāh*: those who know understanding/discerning ones

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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:

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings and sets up kings: he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who know understanding.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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:

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And he changeth{H8133} the times{H5732} and the seasons;{H2166} he removeth{H5709} kings,{H4430} and setteth up{H6966} kings;{H4430} he giveth{H3052} wisdom{H2452} unto the wise,{H2445} and knowledge{H4486} to them that have{H3046} understanding;{H999}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And he changeth{H8133}{(H8683)} the times{H5732} and the seasons{H2166}: he removeth{H5709}{(H8683)} kings{H4430}, and setteth up{H6966}{(H8683)} kings{H4430}: he giveth{H3052}{(H8751)} wisdom{H2452} unto the wise{H2445}, and knowledge{H4486} to them that know{H3046}{(H8751)} understanding{H999}:

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  he chaungeth the tymes and ages: he putteth downe kynges, he setteth vp kynges: he geueth wy?dome vnto the wyse, and vnderstodinge to those that vnderstode

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  And hee changeth the times & seasons: he taketh away kings: he setteth vp kings: he giueth wisedome vnto the wise, and vnderstanding to those that vnderstand.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  He chaungeth the times and seasons, he taketh away kinges, he setteth vp kinges: he geueth wysdome vnto the wyse, and vnderstanding to those that vnderstande.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  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:

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  He changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings, and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding;

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  And He is changing times and seasons, He is causing kings to pass away, and He is raising up kings; He is giving wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those possessing understanding.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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 have understanding;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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 have understanding;

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  By him times and years are changed: by him kings are taken away and kings are lifted up: he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those whose minds are awake:

• World English Bible (2000)

  He changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings, and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding;

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  He changes times and seasons, deposing some kings and establishing others. He gives wisdom to the wise; he imparts knowledge to those with understanding;

Referenced Verses

• Dan 7:25 : 25 He will speak words against the Most High, oppress the holy ones of the Most High, and plan to change times and laws. The holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.
• Jas 1:5 : 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without rebuke, and it will be given to him.
• Dan 2:9 : 9 If you do not make the dream known to me, there is only one decree for you. You have agreed to speak false and corrupt words before me until the situation changes. Therefore, tell me the dream, so that I may know that you can reveal its interpretation."
• Dan 4:17 : 17 The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which was visible to the whole earth,
• Job 12:18 : 18 "He loosens the bonds of kings and binds their waists with a belt."
• Dan 4:32 : 32 All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?'
• Jas 1:17 : 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
• Jas 3:15-17 : 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere.
• Rev 19:16 : 16 He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
• Dan 11:6 : 6 After some years, they will form an alliance. The daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to make an agreement, but she will not retain her power, and neither will the king nor his power endure. She, her escort, her child, and the one who supported her will all be surrendered during those times.
• Luke 1:51-52 : 51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones and exalted the humble.
• Luke 21:15 : 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
• Acts 13:21-22 : 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul, the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled for forty years. 22 After removing him, He raised up David to be their king, about whom He testified, 'I have found David, the son of Jesse, to be a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.'
• 1 Cor 1:30 : 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
• Job 34:24-29 : 24 He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets others in their place. 25 Because He knows their deeds, He overturns them in the night, and they are crushed. 26 He strikes them down for their wickedness in a place where all can see. 27 Because they turned away from following Him and did not regard any of His ways, 28 He causes the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He hears the cry of the afflicted. 29 When He gives quietness, who can condemn? When He hides His face, who can behold Him? Yet He watches over both nation and man alike.
• Ps 31:14-15 : 14 For I hear the slander of many; terror surrounds me as they conspire together against me and plot to take my life. 15 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.'
• Ps 75:5-7 : 5 I said to the arrogant, ‘Do not boast’; and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn.’ 6 Do not lift your horn to the heavens or speak with a haughty neck. 7 For exaltation does not come from the east, the west, or the wilderness.
• Ps 113:7-8 : 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. 8 He seats them with princes, with the princes of His people.
• Prov 2:6-7 : 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
• Prov 8:15-16 : 15 By me kings reign, and rulers enact just decrees. 16 By me princes govern, and nobles—all who judge rightly.
• Eccl 3:1-8 : 1 There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens. 2 A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. 3 A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build. 4 A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. 5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. 6 A time to search and a time to give up; a time to keep and a time to throw away. 7 A time to tear and a time to mend; a time to be silent and a time to speak. 8 A time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.
• Jer 27:5-7 : 5 By my great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth, the people, and the animals that are on it. I give it to anyone I choose. 6 Now I have handed over all these lands to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, my servant. I have even given him the wild animals to serve him. 7 All nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until the time for his own land comes. Then many nations and great kings will make him their slave.
• Exod 31:3 : 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skill in all kinds of craftsmanship.
• Exod 31:6 : 6 Moreover, I have appointed with him Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. I have also given skills to all the skillful workers that they may make everything I have commanded you:
• 1 Sam 2:7-8 : 7 'The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He humbles and He exalts.' 8 'He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap to sit with nobles and inherit a seat of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s; upon them He has set the world.'
• 1 Kgs 3:8-9 : 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or record. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between good and evil, for who is able to govern this great people of yours? 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked this. 11 God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life, wealth for yourself, or the death of your enemies, but for discernment in administering justice, 12 behold, I have done what you asked. I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
• 1 Kgs 3:28 : 28 When all Israel heard the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of the king, for they saw that he had the wisdom of God to administer justice.
• 1 Kgs 10:24 : 24 The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.
• 1 Chr 22:12 : 12 Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding and put you in charge of Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.
• 1 Chr 29:30 : 30 These records include details about his reign, his might, and the events that affected him, Israel, and all the kingdoms of the surrounding lands.
• 2 Chr 1:10-12 : 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours? 11 God said to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for wealth, possessions, honor, the death of your enemies, or even many long years—but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king— 12 Therefore wisdom and knowledge are given to you. I will also give you wealth, possessions, and honor, such as no king before you ever had and none after you will have."
• Esth 1:13 : 13 Then the king consulted the wise men who understood the times, for it was the king's custom to speak before all who understood law and judgment.