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Read the Bible

Brenton's Septuagint

Daniel 2:21

And he changes times and seasons: he appoints kings, and removes them, giving wisdom to the wise, and prudence to them that have understanding:

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Babylon;   Dream;   Gifts from God;   God;   Government;   Interpreter;   King;   Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena;   Mishael;   Prayer;   Seasons;   Wisdom;   Scofield Reference Index - Kingdom;   Times of the Gentiles;   Thompson Chain Reference - Exaltation-Abasement;   Exalts, God;   God;   Promises, Divine;   Promotion;   Rulers;   Seasons, the;   Wisdom;   Wisdom-Folly;   The Topic Concordance - Giving and Gifts;   God;   Government;   Knowledge;   Light;   Resurrection;   Understanding;   Wisdom;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Gifts of God, the;   Kings;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Dream;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Aram;   Daniel;   Dream;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Praise;   Providence of God;   Time;   Understanding;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Providence;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Arioch;   Daniel, Book of;   Poetry;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Heres;   Hushim;   Kingdom of God;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Sirach;   Synagogue;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Abednego;   Magi;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Change;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Judaism;   Providence;   Wisdom;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for October 26;   Every Day Light - Devotion for December 25;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
He changes the times and seasons;he removes kings and establishes kings.He gives wisdom to the wiseand knowledge to thosewho have understanding.
Hebrew Names Version
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;
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:
English Standard Version
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 American Standard Bible
"It is He who changes the times and the periods; He removes kings and appoints kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to people of understanding.
New Century Version
He changes the times and seasons of the year. He takes away the power of kings and gives their power to new kings. He gives wisdom to those who are wise and knowledge to those who understand.
Amplified Bible
"It is He who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise And [greater] knowledge to those who have understanding!
Geneva Bible (1587)
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.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.
Berean Standard Bible
He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Contemporary English Version
You control human events— you give rulers their power and take it away, and you are the source of wisdom and knowledge.
Complete Jewish Bible
he brings the changes of seasons and times; he installs and deposes kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those with discernment.
Darby Translation
And it is he that changeth times and seasons; He deposeth kings, and setteth up kings; He giveth wisdom to the wise, And knowledge to them that know understanding.
Easy-to-Read Version
He changes the times and seasons. He gives power to kings, and he takes their power away. He gives wisdom to people, so they become wise. He lets people learn things and become wise.
George Lamsa Translation
And he changes seasons and times; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to them who know understanding;
Good News Translation
He controls the times and the seasons; he makes and unmakes kings; it is he who gives wisdom and understanding.
Lexham English Bible
And he changes the times and the seasons, and he deposes kings and he sets up kings; he gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men who know understanding.
Literal Translation
And He changes the times and the seasons; He causes kings to pass away, and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who know understanding.
Miles 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
American 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 have understanding;
Bible in Basic English
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:
JPS Old Testament (1917)
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;
King James Version (1611)
And he changeth the times and the seasons: he remoueth Kings, and setteth vp Kings: he giueth wisedome vnto the wise, and knowledge to them that know vnderstanding.
Bishop's 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.
English Revised 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:
World English Bible
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;
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and he chaungith tymes and ages, he translatith rewmes and ordeyneth; he yyueth wisdom to wise men, and kunnyng to hem that vndurstonden techyng, ether chastisyng;
Update Bible Version
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 that have understanding;
Webster's Bible Translation
And he changeth the times and the seasons; he removeth kings, and setteth up kings; he giveth wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
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;
New King James Version
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
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.
New Life Bible
He changes the times and the years. He takes kings away, and puts kings in power. He gives wisdom to wise men and much learning to men of understanding.
New Revised Standard
He changes times and seasons, deposes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, he, changeth times and seasons, removeth kings, and setteth up kings, - giving wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them who are skilled in understanding:
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he changeth times and ages: taketh away kingdoms, and establisheth them: giveth wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that have understanding:
Revised Standard Version
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;
Young's Literal Translation
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.

Contextual Overview

14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the royal guard, who was gone forth to kill the wise men of Babylon; saying, 15 Chief magistrate of the king, wherefore has the preemptory command proceeded from the king? So Arioch made known the matter to Daniel. 16 And Daniel intreated the king to give him time, and that he might thus declare to the king the interpretation of it. 17 So Daniel went into his house, and made known the matter to Ananias, and Misael, and Azarias, his friends. 18 And they sought mercies from the God of heaven concerning this mystery; that Daniel and his friends might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night; and Daniel blessed the God of heaven, and said, 20 May the name of God be blessed from everlasting and to everlasting: for wisdom and understanding are his. 21 And he changes times and seasons: he appoints kings, and removes them, giving wisdom to the wise, and prudence to them that have understanding: 22 he reveals deep and secret matters; knowing what is in darkness, and the light is with him. 23 I give thanks to thee, and praise thee, O God of my fathers, for thou has given me wisdom and power, and has made known to me the things which we asked of thee; and thou has made known to me the king’s vision.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

he changeth: Daniel 2:9, Daniel 7:25, Daniel 11:6, 1 Chronicles 29:30, Esther 1:13, Job 34:24-29, Psalms 31:14, Psalms 31:15, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Jeremiah 27:5-7

he removeth: Daniel 4:17, Daniel 4:32, 1 Samuel 2:7, 1 Samuel 2:8, Job 12:18, Psalms 75:5, Psalms 75:6, Psalms 113:7, Psalms 113:8, Proverbs 8:15, Proverbs 8:16, Luke 1:51, Luke 1:52, Acts 13:21, Acts 13:22, Revelation 19:16

he giveth: Exodus 31:3, Exodus 31:6, 1 Kings 3:8-12, 1 Kings 3:28, 1 Kings 4:29, 1 Kings 10:24, 1 Chronicles 22:12, 2 Chronicles 1:10-12, Proverbs 2:6, Proverbs 2:7, Luke 21:15, 1 Corinthians 1:30, James 1:5, James 1:17, James 3:15-17

Reciprocal: Joshua 6:2 - I have Joshua 8:1 - I have 1 Kings 3:7 - thou hast 2 Kings 9:6 - I have anointed 2 Chronicles 9:23 - God 2 Chronicles 36:23 - All the kingdoms Ezra 1:2 - Lord God Ezra 8:16 - men of understanding Job 12:21 - poureth Job 24:1 - seeing Job 32:8 - the inspiration Psalms 119:169 - give me Jeremiah 43:10 - I will send Ezekiel 31:9 - made Daniel 1:4 - and skillful Daniel 1:17 - God Daniel 1:20 - the magicians Daniel 2:20 - for wisdom Daniel 2:23 - who hast Daniel 4:25 - till Daniel 10:1 - and he Acts 1:7 - It Romans 13:1 - there 1 Corinthians 12:8 - is given Ephesians 1:8 - in James 3:13 - endued 2 Peter 3:15 - according

Cross-References

Genesis 15:12
And about sunset a trance fell upon Abram, and lo! a great gloomy terror falls upon him.
1 Samuel 26:12
So David took the spear, and the pitcher of water from his bolster, and they went home: and there was no one that saw, and no one that knew, and there was no one that awoke, all being asleep, for a stupor from the Lord had fallen upon them.
Job 4:13
But as when terror falls upon men, with dread and a sound in the night,
Job 33:15
sending a dream, or in the meditation of the night; (as when a dreadful alarm happens to fall upon men, in slumberings on the bed:)
Proverbs 19:15
Cowardice possesses the effeminate man; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger.
Daniel 8:18
And while he spoke with me, I fell upon my face to the earth: and he touched me, and set me on my feet.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And he changeth the times and the season,.... Not only of day and night, summer and winter, and times and seasons of prosperity and adversity; but all the changes and revolutions in states and kingdoms, in all times and ages, are from him; and particularly those pointed at in the following dream, in the Babylonian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman monarchies:

he removeth kings, and setteth up kings; he is King of kings, and Lord of lords; by him they reign, and continue on their thrones, as long as he pleases; and then he removes them by death or otherwise, and places others in their stead; and who are sometimes raised from a low estate; and this he does in the ordinary course of Providence; see Psalms 75:6 and particularly Daniel might have in view the removal of the Babylonian monarchs, and setting up kings of the race of the Medes and Persians; and then the degrading them, and advancing the Grecians to the height of monarchy; and then reducing of them, and raising the Romans to a greater degree of power and authority; and at last crushing them all in their turns, to make way for the kingdom of his Son:

he giveth wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: an increase of wisdom and knowledge, to wise politicians and counsellors of state, to form wise schemes of peace or war, to make wise laws, and govern kingdoms in a prudent manner; and to wise master builders or ministers of the word, to speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, to diffuse the knowledge of Christ everywhere, and make known the mysteries of grace to the sons of men; particularly to Daniel and his companions, who were wise and knowing men, the interpretation of the king's dream.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And 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 to ascribe to God the control over “all” the revolutions which occur on earth. There is no essential difference between the words “times” and “seasons.” The words in Chaldee denote stated or appointed seasons; and the idea of times “appointed, set, determined,” enters into both. Times and seasons are not under the control of chance, but are bounded by established laws; and yet God, who appointed these laws, has power to change them, and all the changes which occur under those laws are produced by his agency. Thus the changes which occur in regard to day and night, spring and summer, autumn and winter, clouds and sunshine, health and sickness, childhood and youth, manhood and age, are under his control. Such changes, being in accordance with certain laws, may be regarded as “appointed,” or “set,” and yet the laws and the revolutions consequent on them are all under his control. So in regard to the revolutions of empire. By the arrangements of his providence he secures such revolutions as he shall see it to be best should occur, and in all of them his high hand should be regarded. The words “seasons” and “times” are of frequent occurrence in Daniel, and are sometimes used in a peculiar sense (see the notes at Daniel 7:12, Daniel 7:25), but they seem here to be employed in their usual and general signification, to denote that “all” the revolutions which occur on earth are under his control.

He removeth kings, and setteth up kings - He has absolute control over all the sovereigns of the earth, to place on the throne whom he will, and to remove them when he pleases. This was doubtless suggested to Daniel, and was made the foundation of this portion of his hymn of praise, from what he was permitted to see in the disclosures made to him in the interpretation of the dream. He then saw (compare Daniel 2:37-45) that there would be most important revolutions of kingdoms under the hand of God, and being deeply impressed with these great prospective changes, he makes this general statement, that it was the prerogative of God to do this at pleasure. Nebuchadnezzar was brought to feel this, and to recognize it, when he said Daniel 4:17, “The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will;” “he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”

Daniel 4:32, Daniel 4:35. This claim is often asserted for God in the Scriptures as a proof of his supremacy and greatness. “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south: but God is the judge; he putteth down one, and setteth up another,” Psalms 75:6-7. Compare 1 Samuel 2:7-8. Thus he claimed absolute control over Sennacherib to employ him at his pleasure in executing his purposes of punishment on the Hebrew nation Isaiah 10:5-7, and thus over Cyrus to execute his purposes on Babylon, and to restore his people to their land, Isaiah 45:1, following See also Isaiah 46:10-11. In this manner, all the kings of the earth may be regarded as under his control; and if the Divine plan were fully understood it would be found that each one has received his appointment under the Divine direction, to accomplish some important part in carrying forward the Divine plans to their fulfillment. A history of human affairs, showing the exact purpose of God in regard to each ruler who has occupied a throne, and the exact object which God designed to accomplish by placing “him” on the throne at the time when he did, would be a far more important and valuable history than any which has been written. Of many such rulers, like Cyrus, Sennacherib, Pilate, Henry VIII, Edward VI, and the Elector of Saxony, we can see the reason why they lived and reigned when they did; and doubtless God has had some important end to accomplish in the development of his great plans in the case of every one who has ever occupied a throne.

He giveth wisdom unto the wise ... - He is the source of all true wisdom and knowledge. This is often claimed for God in the Scriptures. Compare Proverbs 2:6-7 :

“For the Lord giveth wisdom;

Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous;

He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.”

See also 1 Kings 3:9-12; Exodus 31:3. God claims to be the source of all wisdom and knowledge. He originally formed each human intellect, and made it what it is; he opens before it the paths of knowledge; he gives to it clearness of perception; he preserves its powers so that they do not become deranged; he has power to make suggestions, to direct the laws of association, to fix the mind on important thoughts, and to open before it new and interesting views of truth. And as it would be found, if the history could be written, that God has placed each monarch on the throne with a distinct reference to some important purpose in the development of his great plans, so probably it would be seen that each important work of genius which has been written; each invention in the arts; and each discovery in science has been, for a similar purpose, under his control. He has created the great intellect just at the time when it was needful that such a discovery or invention should be made, and having prepared the world for it by the course of events, the discovery or invention has occurred just at the time when, on the whole, it was most desirable that it should.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 21. He 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.


 
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