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.

And Hezekiah {H3169} answered {H559}, It is a light thing {H7043} for the shadow {H6738} to go down {H5186} ten {H6235} degrees {H4609}: nay, but let the shadow {H6738} return {H7725} backward {H322} ten {H6235} degrees {H4609}.

Hizkiyahu answered, "It's easy for the shadow to go down ten intervals. No, let the shadow return backward ten intervals."

β€œIt is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,” answered Hezekiah, β€œbut not for it to go back ten steps.”

And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to decline ten steps: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.

Commentary

2 Kings 20:10 records a pivotal moment in the life of King Hezekiah, where he chooses a miraculous sign to confirm God's promise of healing. This verse highlights a remarkable display of divine power over the natural order.

Context

This verse is part of the narrative concerning King Hezekiah's severe illness, which brought him to the brink of death. The prophet Isaiah delivered a message from the Lord, instructing Hezekiah to set his house in order because he would die (2 Kings 20:1). In response, Hezekiah prayed fervently, weeping bitterly (2 Kings 20:2). Before Isaiah had even left the middle court, God sent him back with a message of healing and an extension of Hezekiah's life by fifteen years (2 Kings 20:5-6). As a tangible sign to confirm this extraordinary promise, Hezekiah was offered a choice: either the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz would advance ten degrees, or it would recede ten degrees. Hezekiah's reply in verse 10 reveals his choice.

Key Themes

  • Divine Power Over Nature: The central theme is God's absolute sovereignty and ability to manipulate the natural world. Moving a shadow forward ten degrees is a natural occurrence as the day progresses; however, making it reverse ten degrees is an undeniable act of the supernatural. This sign demonstrates God's power to alter the very course of time and light, affirming His omnipotence.
  • Faith and Confirmation: Hezekiah's choice to ask for the shadow to go backward, the more difficult and counter-intuitive miracle, suggests a desire for an unambiguous sign that would leave no room for doubt. It reflects a deep yearning for a clear confirmation of God's incredible promise.
  • God's Responsiveness to Prayer: This entire account underscores the power of earnest prayer. God heard Hezekiah's prayer and responded with mercy and a miraculous intervention, not only healing him but also providing a sign tailored to his request.

Linguistic Insights

The term "degrees" (Hebrew: ma'alot, ΧžΧ’ΧœΧ•Χͺ) refers to the steps or marks on a sundial, often called "the dial of Ahaz" (2 Kings 20:11). This was likely a staircase or set of steps designed to show the time by the shadow cast upon them by the sun. The phrase "go down ten degrees" means the shadow would naturally advance as the sun moved, while "return backward ten degrees" implies an astonishing reversal of this natural progression.

Significance of Hezekiah's Choice

Hezekiah's reasoning, "It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees," indicates that he recognized the natural progression of time. The sun's shadow naturally moves forward. To ask for it to go forward would be less convincing as a divine sign, as it could be attributed to mere natural progression, albeit an accelerated one. By choosing the shadow to "return backward ten degrees," Hezekiah requested a truly unmistakable miracle, one that defied natural laws and clearly pointed to God's direct intervention. This choice underscored his trust in God's ability to do the impossible.

Practical Application

The account of Hezekiah's healing and the sign of the reversed shadow offers profound encouragement. It reminds us that God is not limited by natural laws and can perform wonders beyond our comprehension. This narrative invites us to:

  • Pray Earnestly: Like Hezekiah, we are encouraged to bring our deepest needs and fears before God with sincerity and persistence.
  • Trust in God's Power: Even when circumstances seem dire or impossible, God has the power to intervene and alter situations in miraculous ways.
  • Seek Confirmation (Wisely): While we should not test God, this story shows God's willingness to give signs to those who genuinely seek Him and His promises. It reinforces the truth that God is faithful to His word, providing assurance when needed, much like the sign offered to Ahaz in Isaiah 7:11 or the sign of Gideon's fleece in Judges 6:37-40.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 3:18

    And this is [but] a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.

  • 2 Kings 2:10

    And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: [nevertheless], if thou see me [when I am] taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be [so].

  • John 14:12

    ΒΆ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

  • Isaiah 49:6

    And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

  • Mark 9:28

    And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

  • Mark 9:29

    And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
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