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.