And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.

2 KINGS 20:11KJV
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2 Kings 20:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 20:11 mean?

2 Kings 20:11 describes how the prophet Isaiah prayed to the LORD, and God caused the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz to move backward by ten degrees, reversing the direction it had already gone. This was a miraculous sign given in response to a request for confirmation of God’s promise.

Isaiah was speaking to King Hezekiah, who had been seriously ill and was promised recovery by God. Hezekiah asked for a sign, and Isaiah prayed for God to show His power. The movement of the shadow backward on the sundial was an unmistakable, public miracle, showing that God was truly in control of time and nature.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 20:11

  • "Shadow" (צֵל, tsel): This word refers to the shadow cast by the sun, which was used to tell time on a sundial. The movement of the shadow was a visible sign to everyone present.
  • "Degrees" (מַעֲלָה, ma'alah): This word often means "steps" or "degrees." Here, it likely refers to the markings or steps on the sundial that measured the sun’s movement.
  • "Dial" (מַעֲלָה, ma'alah): The same word is used for both "degrees" and "dial," suggesting the sundial may have had steps or levels, not just lines, making the miracle even more dramatic.
  • "Brought...backward" (שׁוּב, shuv): This verb means "to return" or "to turn back." The text emphasizes that God actively reversed the natural course of the shadow, not just stopped it.

Why 2 Kings 20:11 matters

  • This verse clears up that the miracle was not just a private sign but a public event, visible to anyone who could see the sundial, making it a powerful confirmation of God’s promise.
  • The use of the same Hebrew word for both "degrees" and "dial" hints that the sundial was a stepped structure, which helps readers picture the scene more accurately.
  • The verse connects to the wider story by showing that God’s power over time itself was the sign given to Hezekiah, reinforcing the reliability of God’s word through Isaiah.

Where else these words appear

“backward” Hebrew H322 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 9:23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.
  • 1 Samuel 4:18 And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.
  • 2 Kings 20:10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.

“Isaiah” Hebrew H3470 · used in 39 verses

  • 2 Kings 19:2 And he sent Eliakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
  • 1 Chronicles 3:21 And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah.
  • Isaiah 13:1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

“degrees” Hebrew H4609 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 20:26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.
  • Psalms 120:1 A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
  • Psalms 133:1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

“Ahaz” Hebrew H271 · used in 39 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:38 And Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 16:20 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:22 And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz.