What Does Daniel 2:21 Mean in the King James?

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 2:21 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

Wisdom and the wise share one root, yet the wise still receive wisdom.

THE MEANING

The times and powers that seem fixed remain changeable. The same God who removes and raises rulers gives wisdom to the wise and understanding to those who know. Even discernment remains something received.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The verse unsettles the belief that being wise means self-sufficient mastery: the wise still receive wisdom, and no ruler’s position makes it permanent.

THE ROOT

חָכְמְתָא

ḥokhmətā

GROWS FROM

חכם

To be wise or skilled; to show discernment.

Daniel 2:21 is written in Aramaic, and ⁨חָכְמְתָא⁩ carries the same ⁨ח־כ־ם⁩ root found in Hebrew ⁨חָכָם⁩ and ⁨חָכְמָה⁩. Wisdom and the wise are forms of one word-family, yet the verse says wisdom is given: discernment does not make its bearer self-sufficient.

ALSO GROWS

ḥākām: A wise person

חָכָם

The wise recipient shares the root of the wisdom given to them.

ḥokhmāh: Wisdom

חָכְמָה

This Hebrew cognate names the quality that the Aramaic verse says is given.

לְיָדְעֵי

lə-yāḏəʿê

GROWS FROM

ידע

To know, recognize, or perceive.

“know” in this verse is lə-yāḏəʿê. The verse pairs knowing with understanding, presenting discernment as perception rather than mere accumulation. The related Hebrew word ⁨מוֹדָע⁩ can mean an acquaintance, keeping this family of knowing connected to recognition between persons.

ALSO GROWS

yādaʿ: To know or recognize

יָדַע

This Hebrew cognate shares the root and makes knowing an act of recognition.

môdāʿ: An acquaintance; a known person

מוֹדָע

This noun from the same root shows how knowing can name a relationship, not only information.

THE PATTERN

Public power and personal wisdom remain gifts within God’s power to change and give.

But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Psalm 75:7 · KJVLike Daniel 2:21, this verse places the rise and fall of rulers in God’s hands.

The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

1 Samuel 2:7 · KJVIt describes status as changeable under the same divine power that raises and removes kings.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James 1:5 · KJVWisdom is still received as a gift, even when someone recognizes a lack of it.

THE THREAD

Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

Daniel 2:20 · KJV

The preceding verse names wisdom as God’s; Daniel 2:21 says he gives it to the wise. The Aramaic word ⁨חָכְמְתָא⁩ shares the ⁨חכם⁩ root in both verses, so what the wise receive is first named as belonging to the giver.

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