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:

DANIEL 2:21KJV
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Daniel 2:21 (KJV)

What does Daniel 2:21 mean?

Daniel 2:21 describes how God has control over the flow of history: He changes times and seasons, removes and sets up kings, and gives wisdom and knowledge to those who are wise and understanding. The verse highlights God’s authority over world events and human rulers, as well as His ability to grant insight to people.

Daniel is speaking to God in prayer after God reveals the meaning of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Daniel praises God for having power over all rulers and times, recognizing that God alone determines who holds authority and who receives wisdom. This verse sets the stage for Daniel to explain the king’s dream, showing that God—not earthly kings—directs the course of history.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 2:21

  • "changeth" (שְׁנָה, shena, H8133): This word means to alter or transform. Daniel uses it to stress that God can shift the course of events or eras, not just minor details.
  • "times" (עִדָּן, idan, H5732) and "seasons" (זְמָן, zeman, H2166): Both words refer to periods or appointed times, but "idan" often means a larger era, while "zeman" suggests a specific, set time. Daniel’s language shows that God controls both the big picture and the details of history.
  • "removeth" (עֲדַה, adah, H5709) and "setteth up" (קְיֵם, qeyem, H6966): These verbs emphasize God’s active role in taking down and raising up kings, not just allowing it to happen.
  • "wisdom" (חָכְמָה, chokhmah, H2452) and "knowledge" (מַנְדַּע, manda, H4486): These words highlight that true insight and understanding come from God, not just human effort.

Why Daniel 2:21 matters

  • Daniel 2:21 corrects the idea that kings and rulers rise and fall purely by their own power or by chance; it emphasizes that God is the one who ultimately decides who leads.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by preparing the reader for Daniel’s interpretation of the king’s dream, showing that Daniel’s wisdom comes from God, not from any human source.
  • Daniel 2:21 reassures readers that God is not distant or uninvolved; He is actively shaping history and giving wisdom to those who seek Him.

Where else these words appear

“knowledge” Hebrew H4486 · used in 4 verses

  • Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
  • Daniel 4:36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
  • Daniel 5:12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.

“wisdom” Hebrew H2452 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 7:25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.
  • Daniel 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
  • Daniel 5:11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;

“removeth” Hebrew H5709 · used in 9 verses

  • Daniel 3:27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
  • Daniel 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
  • Daniel 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.

“times” Hebrew H5732 · used in 11 verses

  • Daniel 2:8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.
  • Daniel 3:15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
  • Daniel 4:25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.