And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?
2 KINGS 20:9KJVWhat does 2 Kings 20:9 mean?
2 Kings 20:9 describes the prophet Isaiah offering King Hezekiah a sign from the LORD to confirm that God will keep His promise. Isaiah asks Hezekiah whether he wants the shadow on the sundial to move forward ten degrees or go backward ten degrees as proof.
Isaiah is speaking to Hezekiah, who has just been told by God (through Isaiah) that he will recover from a serious illness. The "sign" (Hebrew: אוֹת, 'ot) is meant to reassure Hezekiah that God's promise is certain. The mention of the shadow moving either forward or backward refers to a visible miracle involving the sundial, something that would be impossible by natural means and thus unmistakably from God.
The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 20:9
- אוֹת ('ot) — "sign": This word means a mark or a miracle that serves as proof or confirmation. Here, it highlights that God is willing to give a supernatural confirmation of His word.
- צֵל (tzel) — "shadow": This refers to the shadow cast by the sun, likely on a set of steps or a sundial. The movement of the shadow was a way to measure time, so changing it would be a clear, public miracle.
- מַעֲלוֹת (ma'alot) — "degrees": This word literally means "steps" or "stairs," and is often understood as the steps of a sundial. The shadow moving ten "steps" would be a dramatic, visible change.
Why 2 Kings 20:9 matters
- This verse shows that God is willing to provide tangible reassurance when someone is struggling to trust His promises, highlighting God's patience and understanding.
- The choice Isaiah gives—forward or backward—emphasizes that the sign will be unmistakably supernatural, not something that could happen by chance.
- This moment connects to the larger story of Hezekiah's illness and recovery, underlining the importance of faith and the reality of God's intervention in the lives of His people.