Bible Strands
Daniel 2:21
He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Daniel speaks before Nebuchadnezzar's court, delivering a doxology immediately after God has revealed the king's dream and its interpretation (v. 19). He has not yet given the interpretation; he is framing it.
The words — The three key verbs are Piel participles (me.hash.Ne', me.ha'.Deh, u.me.ha.Keim), each in the active, ongoing form, presenting God's action as continuous rather than episodic. The pair 'idanim ("times") and zimanim ("appointed times") distinguishes general duration from fixed, divinely set moments.
The thread — Psalms 113:7 mirrors the same sovereign motion (God raises the poor, lifts the needy); Psalms 75:5 warns the proud against lifting their horn against heaven. Both treat human status as dependent on God's hand rather than self-achieved.
Why it lands — It asks the reader to stop treating their own position, intellect, or political fortune as self-sustaining. The participles make the point: this is not a one-time act but the ongoing condition of every throne and every mind.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James 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:
Cross-references
- Psalms 75:5 Do not lift up your horn against heaven or speak with an outstretched neck.’”
- Psalms 31:14 But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
- Psalms 113:7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the dump
- Daniel 4:17 This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’
- Daniel 7:25 He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.
- James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
- Daniel 4:32 You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.”
- Job 34:24 He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
- Proverbs 8:15 By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws;
- 2 Chronicles 1:10 Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”