Daniel 2:21

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.

📖 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

• 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.

• 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:

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  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;

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  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:

• 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 And he shall speak great words against the Most High and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.
• Jas 1:5 : 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.
• Dan 2:9 : 9 But if you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you: for you have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me until the time changes. Therefore, tell me the dream, and I shall know you can reveal its interpretation.
• Dan 4:17 : 17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.
• Job 12:18 : 18 He loosens the bonds of kings, and girds their loins with a belt.
• 1 Kgs 4:29 : 29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart, like the sand on the seashore.
• Dan 4:32 : 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; they shall make you eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He will.
• Jas 1:17 : 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
• Jas 3:15-17 : 15 This wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envy and strife are, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
• Rev 19:16 : 16 And he has on his robe and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
• Dan 11:6 : 6 And at the end of some years, they shall join themselves together; for the king's daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of her authority; neither shall he stand, nor his authority: but she shall be given up, along with those who brought her, and he who fathered her, and he who strengthened her in these times.
• Luke 1:51-52 : 51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.
• Luke 21:15 : 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to contradict nor resist.
• Acts 13:21-22 : 21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom he also gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who shall fulfill all my will.
• 1 Cor 1:30 : 30 But of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—
• 1 Kgs 10:24 : 24 And all the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
• 1 Chr 22:12 : 12 Only may the LORD give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the LORD your God.
• 1 Chr 29:30 : 30 With all his reign and his might, and the events that befell him, and over Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries.
• 2 Chr 1:10-12 : 10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this your people, that is so great? 11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of your enemies, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king: 12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted to you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall any after you have the like.
• Esth 1:13 : 13 Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times (for so was the king's manner toward all who knew law and judgment,
• Exod 31:3 : 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,
• Exod 31:6 : 6 And behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, and in the hearts of all that are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded you;
• 1 Sam 2:7-8 : 7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich: he brings low and lifts up. 8 He raises up the poor from the dust, and lifts up the needy from the ashes, to set them among princes and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he has set the world upon them.
• 1 Kgs 3:8-9 : 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Therefore give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil: for who is able to judge this your great people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said to him, Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to your words: lo, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like you before you, nor shall any arise like unto you.
• 1 Kgs 3:28 : 28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had made; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to do judgment.
• Job 34:24-29 : 24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number and set others in their place. 25 Therefore He knows their works, and He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed. 26 He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others, 27 Because they turned back from Him and would not consider any of His ways. 28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come to Him, and He hears the cry of the afflicted. 29 When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides His face, who then can behold Him? Whether it be done against a nation or against a man only.
• Ps 31:14-15 : 14 But I trusted in you, O LORD: I said, You are my God. 15 My times are in your hand: deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
• Ps 75:5-7 : 5 Do not lift your horn on high; do not speak with a stiff neck. 6 For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge; he puts down one and exalts another.
• Ps 113:7-8 : 7 He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap; 8 That He may set them with princes, even 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 lays up sound wisdom for the righteous; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.
• Prov 8:15-16 : 15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, and all the judges of the earth.
• Eccl 3:1-8 : 1 To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; 7 A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
• Jer 27:5-7 : 5 I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed right to me. 6 And now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field I have given him also to serve him. 7 And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his grandson, until the very time of his land comes: and then many nations and great kings shall enslave him.