He changes the times and seasons;This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty over the natural order and history. In biblical context, "times and seasons" often refer to God's control over historical events and the natural world (
Ecclesiastes 3:1). The changing of times and seasons can also symbolize God's intervention in human affairs, as seen in
Acts 1:7, where Jesus speaks of the Father having authority over times and seasons. This reflects the belief that God orchestrates the unfolding of history according to His divine plan.
He removes kings and establishes them.
This highlights God's authority over political powers and rulers. Throughout the Bible, God is depicted as the ultimate authority who raises and deposes leaders according to His will (1 Samuel 2:7-8). Historical examples include the rise and fall of empires such as Babylon, Persia, and Rome, which align with biblical prophecies (Isaiah 45:1-3). This phrase reassures believers that no earthly power is beyond God's control, and it foreshadows the ultimate establishment of Christ's eternal kingdom (Revelation 11:15).
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
This part underscores the biblical theme that true wisdom and understanding come from God (Proverbs 2:6). Wisdom in the Bible is often associated with the fear of the Lord and living in accordance with His will (Proverbs 9:10). The wise and discerning are those who seek God's guidance and are open to His instruction. This phrase connects toJames 1:5, which encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, promising that He gives generously to all without finding fault. It also points to the spiritual insight given to Daniel and his companions, enabling them to interpret dreams and visions (Daniel 1:17).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
DanielA prophet and a wise man in the Babylonian court who interprets King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, revealing God's sovereignty.
2.
NebuchadnezzarThe king of Babylon who has a troubling dream that none of his wise men can interpret, leading to Daniel's involvement.
3.
BabylonThe empire where Daniel is held captive and serves in the king's court, representing a place of both exile and divine revelation.
4.
GodThe central figure in this verse, depicted as sovereign over time, seasons, and earthly rulers.
5.
Wise Men of BabylonThe group of advisors who fail to interpret the king's dream, highlighting the contrast between human wisdom and divine revelation.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Time and HistoryRecognize that God is in control of all historical events and the passage of time. This should bring comfort and assurance in uncertain times.
Divine Authority Over Earthly RulersUnderstand that God has the ultimate authority over all leaders and governments. This perspective can guide our prayers and attitudes towards political situations.
Seeking Divine WisdomEncourage believers to seek wisdom and knowledge from God, who is the source of true understanding. This involves prayer, study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Trust in God's PlanTrust that God's timing and plans are perfect, even when they are beyond our understanding. This trust can lead to peace and patience in our personal lives.
Role of the Faithful in a Secular WorldLike Daniel, believers are called to be faithful and wise in environments that may not honor God. This involves living out our faith with integrity and courage.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Daniel 2:21?
2.How does Daniel 2:21 show God's control over "times and seasons"?
3.What does Daniel 2:21 teach about God's role in "removing kings"?
4.How can we apply God's wisdom in Daniel 2:21 to daily decisions?
5.Connect Daniel 2:21 with another scripture about God's sovereignty over rulers.
6.How does understanding God's power in Daniel 2:21 strengthen your faith today?
7.How does Daniel 2:21 demonstrate God's sovereignty over human history and leadership changes?
8.What does Daniel 2:21 reveal about God's control over time and seasons?
9.How does Daniel 2:21 challenge the belief in human autonomy and free will?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 2?
11.What is the Bible's perspective on anarchy?
12.How can we interpret current events theologically?
13.What principles define the Just War Theory?
14.What defines the historical period known as the Dark Ages?What Does Daniel 2:21 Mean
He changes the times and seasons“ He changes the times and seasons ” points to God’s sovereign rule over all created order.
• The word “changes” reminds us that what appears fixed to us is effortlessly adjusted by Him; from daily sunrise to the unfolding of centuries, He is the One moving the clock (Genesis 8:22;Psalm 104:19).
• Because He owns the calendar, He also directs the pivotal moments of history—planting, harvest, revival, judgment—none occur by chance (Acts 1:7).
• Knowing this steadies our hearts; every personal season—joy, waiting, suffering—has been assigned by a faithful Father (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11).
He removes kings and establishes them“ He removes kings and establishes them ” declares that political power sits in God’s palm.
• He can dethrone a Nebuchadnezzar overnight and elevate a shepherd like David (1 Samuel 2:7-8;Daniel 4:17).
• The proverb rings true: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1).
• Even hostile rulers unwittingly serve His larger plan (Romans 13:1;John 19:11).
• For believers, this breeds courage: governments shift, but the kingdom that matters is unshakable (Hebrews 12:28).
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning“ He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning ” shows God as the fountain of insight.
• True wisdom isn’t earned by IQ or experience; it’s bestowed by God to those already walking in reverent dependence (Proverbs 2:6;James 1:5).
• Daniel himself is proof—prayerfully seeking God opened the mystery of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2:19-23).
• The Lord delights to deepen understanding in those who steward it well, echoing Jesus’ promise: “Whoever has will be given more” (Matthew 13:12).
• In Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3); abiding in Him is the pathway to continual discernment (1 Corinthians 1:30).
summaryDaniel 2:21 paints a sweeping portrait of God’s absolute rule. He schedules the seasons, reshuffles thrones, and supplies wisdom. History, nature, and human insight are not random; they flow from His deliberate hand. Recognizing this frees us to trust Him with our times, submit to His governance, and seek His wisdom for every decision.
(21)
Changeth times--i.e., He orders the events which occur at different times and seasons. Daniel refers to the dream which had been recently revealed to him, in which the changes of future times and seasons were depicted in so marvellous a way. "Times" are opposed to "seasons," as circumstances of time may be contrasted with epochs of time. (Comp.
Daniel 7:12.)
He removeth.--Comp.1Samuel 2:8.
Wisdom . . .--Comp.Jeremiah 32:19.
The wise--i.e., wise men generally. Wise men become what they are, not through their own study and natural ability, but by the grace and mercy of God.
Verse 21. -
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. In regard to this verse, Theodotion and the Septuagint only differ in this from the Massoretic text, that they omit the repetition of the word "kings." The Peshitta has a different sense in the middle clause. "He maketh (Peshitta,
ma'bed) kings and confirmeth (Peshitta,
maqeem) kings" The Syriac translators have evidently read
מְחֲעְדֵה (
meh '
deh), "to remove," as
מְהַעְבֵד (
meha'bed), "
to make" The utter want of contrast in this reading condemns it. In regard to the Aramaic of this passage, the carrying on of the preformative
ה, the sign of the haphel conjugation, is a proof of the early date of the Aramaic. In later Aramaic,
ה gives place to
א, and
א disappears after the other preformative as
יַקְטֵל, not
יִאֲקְטֵל.
Changeth times and seasons. Nebuchadnezzar was anxious lest the time in which he might make advantageous use of the information conveyed by the dream should pass away, and a new "time" be established. Not improbably Nebuchadnezzar, like most heathens, imagined that his gods were limited by some unseen power like the Greek Fate, and, however wishful they might be to be propitious to their worshippers only in certain collocations of the heavenly bodies could they carry out their wish. God, the God of heaven, the God of the despised Hebrews, he it was who arranged the times and the seasons, he made the sun to rise, he makes summer and winter, he leads out the host of the stars, alike the star of Nebo and the star of Marduk. The two words "time" and "season" are nearly synonymous. Perhaps the first is more indefinite than the other. Our own opinion is that the first has more the idea of space of time, and the latter more of point of time; but really they are almost synonymous.
He removeth kings,
and setteth up kings. In this there seems to be a special reference to the contents of the vision, which showed that in the time to come, not only kings but dynasties were to be set up and overthrown. The former clause regarded God as the God of nature. This looks u pen him as the God of providence, by whom "kings reign, and princes decree justice."
He giveth wisdom unto the wise,
and knowledge to them that know understand-lag. This address to God goes further. Daniel sees in the faculties and mental acquirements of men the manifestation of God. It is the inspiration of the Almighty that giveth understanding. All the power man has of acquiring knowledge, all the faculty he has for using that knowledge aright, all come from God.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Heוְ֠הוּא(wə·hū)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1932:He, self, the same, this, that, as, arechangesמְהַשְׁנֵ֤א(mə·haš·nê)Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8133:To changethe timesעִדָּנַיָּא֙(‘id·dā·nay·yā)Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 5732:A set time, technically, a yearand seasons;וְזִמְנַיָּ֔א(wə·zim·nay·yā)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 2166:An appointed occasionHe removesמְהַעְדֵּ֥ה(mə·ha‘·dêh)Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5709:To advance, pass on, continue, to remove, to bedeckkingsמַלְכִ֖ין(mal·ḵîn)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430:A kingand establishesוּמְהָקֵ֣ים(ū·mə·hā·qêm)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6966:To arise, stand[them].מַלְכִ֑ין(mal·ḵîn)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430:A kingHe givesיָהֵ֤ב(yā·hêḇ)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3052:To give, to put, imperatively, comewisdomחָכְמְתָא֙(ḥā·ḵə·mə·ṯā)Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 2452:Wisdomto the wiseלְחַכִּימִ֔ין(lə·ḥak·kî·mîn)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2445:Wise, a Magianand knowledgeוּמַנְדְּעָ֖א(ū·man·də·‘ā)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4486:Knowledge, the power of knowingto the discerning.לְיָדְעֵ֥י(lə·yā·ḏə·‘ê)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3046:To know
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OT Prophets: Daniel 2:21 He changes the times and the seasons (Dan. Da Dn)