When I started this study I just wanted to know for sure what the meaning of this phrase was in Daniel. In the end it was a huge lesson in the differences of languages and translations. It showed me that “context” and “concert” are still very important to the understanding of the Bible, the “Word”.
So please bear with me as I dive into the weeds for a moment.
“Times” and “seasons” is used together in the Old Testament 11 times. These two words, H5732 and H2166, are used together only in the Aramaic/Chaldee section of Daniel and that only three times. H2166 is used only 11 times and all are in the Aramaic/Chaldee section of chapters 2b through 7. A more common combination is, H4150 and H6256, used together four times and only once in Daniel and that after the Aramaic/Chaldee section. H5732 is also used exclusively in the Aramaic/Chaldee section of Daniel chapters 2b through 7.
If you know Daniel, you know that chapters 2:4b through 7 are unique in that they were written in Aramaic/Chaldee and when translated here these words come out unique. H2166 in Daniel means the three sacred feasts appointed by God for all male Jews every year. The other word used for these three feasts in the Old Testament is H4150 – moed. H4150 is used only six times in Daniel and all after Daniel 8:1 when Daniel switches back to Hebrew from Aramaic/Chaldee.
“times” As used in Dan 2:21, 7:12 and 7:25
Strong’s # H5732 [pronounced id-dawn’]
ʿiddān: An Aramaic masculine noun indicating a period of time, a moment of time. It indicates a prolongation of time or some time (Dan. 2:8); a period or length of time (Dan. 7:12). It has the sense of a time, a period when things change, changing circumstances (Dan. 2:9, 21). It refers to a proper time, a time when something should occur (Dan. 3:5, 15). From context it may refer to a year as a duration of time (Dan. 4:16, 23, 25, 32; 7:25[3]).
The Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament
My studies indicated it should be translated “time”, that is singular.
“seasons” As used in Dan 2:21, 7:12 and 7:25
Strong’s # H2166 pronounced ze-mawn’
zemān: An Aramaic noun meaning a specific time, a time period. This word is used in Daniel indicating a duration of time or a period of time (Dan. 2:16; 7:12) and also in reference to the feast times (Dan. 7:25). The cognate Hebrew word is H2165 [but is used only four times in the Old Testament and none of them here. Both 2165 and 2166 are spelled the same and largely have the same meaning] Thus, zeman bears a different sense than H2165 by emphasizing the specificity in time.
The Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament.
My studies indicate it should be “season”, that is singular.
As best as I can determine, iddan – H5732 is the closest Hebrew equivalent of the Greek word chronos – G5550. And, zeman – H2165 or 6 is the closest Hebrew equivalent of the Greek word kairos – G2540. At times either could be translated as the other.
Daniel 2:21 (CWSB) The Complete Word Study Bible
21 And he changeth the times[H5732 – iddan] and the seasons[H2166 – zeman]: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Daniel 2:21 (NKJV) New Kings James Version
21 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.
Daniel 2:21 (YLT) Young’s Literal Translation
21 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.
Now Daniel 7:25;
Daniel 7:25 (CWSB)
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times[H2166 – zeman – season] and laws[H1882]: and they shall be given into his hand until a time[H5732 – iddan] and times[H5732 – iddan] and the dividing of time[H5732 – iddan].
Daniel 7:25 (NKJV)
25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.
Daniel 7:25 (YLT)
25 and words as an adversary of the Most High it doth speak, and the saints of the Most High it doth wear out, and it hopeth to change seasons and law; and they are given into its hand, till a time, and times, and a division of a time.
Daniel 7:25 (NRSV)
25 He shall speak words against the Most High, shall wear out the holy ones of the Most High, and shall attempt to change the sacred seasons and the law; and they shall be given into his power for a time, two times, and half a time.
Daniel 7:25 (HCSB) Holman Christian Standard Bible
25 He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.
Daniel 7:25 (CEB) Common English Bible
25 He will say things against the Most High and will exhaust the holy ones of the Most High. He will try to change times set by law. And for a period of time, periods of time, and half a period of time, they will be delivered into his power.
Now: Chronicles
2 Chronicles 8:12-13 (NKJV)
12 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of the LORD which he had built before the vestibule,
13 according to the daily rate, offering according to the commandment of Moses, for the Sabbaths, the New Moons, and the three appointed yearly feasts[times or seasons]–the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles.
2 Chronicles 8:13 (CWSB)
13 Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the Sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts[H4150], three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.
Strong’s # H4150 [pronounced mo-aide’]
môʿēd̠: A masculine noun meaning an appointed time or place. It can signify an appointed meeting time in general (Gen. 18:14; Ex. 13:10); a specific appointed time, usually for a sacred feast or festival (Hos. 9:5; 12:9[10]);
The Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament.
2 Chronicles 8:13 (YLT)
13 even by the matter of a day in its day, to cause to ascend according to the command of Moses, on sabbaths, and on new moons, and on appointed seasons[H4150], three times in a year–in the feast of unleavened things, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of booths.
2 Chronicles 8:13 (NJB) New Jerusalem Bible
13 in accordance with the regular prescriptions for burnt sacrifice as commanded by Moses, on the Sabbaths, New Moons and the three annual feasts; the feast of Unleavened Bread, the feast of Weeks and the feast of Shelters.
Now the New Testament:
There was only two uses of times and seasons together in the New Testament, Acts 1:7 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1. The words used are: G5550 – chronos and G2540 – kairos. In both cases the meaning is not the same as H5732 and H2166 when used together in the Old Testament. But, the usage of G2540 when used alone was the same as “season” – H2166 in the Old Testament.
Acts 1:4-8 (NKJV)
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;
5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time[G5550 – chronos] restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times[G5550 – chronos] or seasons[G2540 – kairos] which the Father has put in His own authority.
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:7 (BBE) Bible In Basic English
7 And he said to them, It is not for you to have knowledge of the time and the order of events which the Father has kept in his control.
Acts 1:7 (NJB)
7 He replied, ‘It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority,
It is my opinion that the translation should have been singular and not plural in both words in this verse. Thus, time[chronos] and season[kairos] would be correct.
Strong’s # G5550 [pronounced kron’-os][where we get the word “chronology”]
chrónos; gen. chrónou, masc. noun. Time. This word perceives time quantitatively as a period measured by the succession of objects and events and denotes the passing of moments. Another word, kairós <G2540>, season, the time of accomplishment, considers time qualitatively as a period characterized by the influence or prevalence of something. Chrónos is a period of measured time, not a period of accomplishment as kairós. Chrónos embraces all possible kairoí (pl.), and is often used as the larger and more inclusive term, but not the converse. In the NT:
(I) Time, particularly and generally.
(II) Specifically by the force of adjuncts chrónos sometimes stands for a time, season, period, like kairós (Acts 1:7; 1 Thess. 5:1).
The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament
Strong’s # G2540 [pronounced ki-ros’]
kairós; gen. kairoú, masc. noun. Season, opportune time. It is not merely as a succession of minutes, which is chrónos <G5550>, but a period of opportunity (though not necessity). There is really no Eng. equivalent to the word kairós, appropriate or opportune time, which when used in the pl. with chrónoi (times), is translated as “seasons,” times at which certain foreordained events take place.
(I) Fit time, proper season.
(B) Appointed time, set time, certain season, equivalent to a fixed and definite time or season.
In allusion to the set time for the coming of the Messiah in His kingdom or for judgment (Matt. 8:29; 16:3; Mark 1:15; 13:33; Luke 12:56; 21:8; Acts 1:7; Rom. 13:11; 1 Cor. 7:29; Eph. 1:10; 1 Thess. 5:1; 1 Pet. 1:11; 4:17; Rev. 1:3; 22:10).
(II) Generally meaning time, season, equivalent to chrónos.
(C) In a prophetic style as used for a year (Rev. 12:14, three and one-half years [cf. Rev. 12:6 in allusion to Dan. 7:25, where kairoí, times, also stands for two years]).
The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NKJV)
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
The next verse starts with a “but” so these verses are connected.
1 Thessalonians 5:1 (NKJV)
1 But concerning the times[G5550] and the seasons[G2540], brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. [these should be singular not plural]
1 Thessalonians 5:1 (CWSB)
1 But of the times[G5550] and the seasons[G2540], brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1 Thessalonians 5:1 (YLT)
1 And concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need of my writing to you,
1 Thessalonians 5:1 (NJB)
1 About times and dates, brothers, there is no need to write to you
Some other words used for time and season in the Bible are:
H6256 – et – This word is the most commonly used for “time”.
H2165 – almost the same as H2166
H6471 – pa’am

So does the aramaic “zeman” most closely relate to the hebrew word “moedim”, as I have heard some hebrew scholars teach?
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Not that I am aware of. The Greek of “times” in 1Thes is kairos or kairon. I do not have a Hebrew version of the Aramaic in Daniel 2:4 – 7.
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