2 Kings 20:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Isaiah {H3470} the prophet {H5030} cried {H7121} unto the LORD {H3068}: and he brought {H7725} the shadow {H6738} ten {H6235} degrees {H4609} backward {H322}, by {H4609} which it had gone down {H3381} in the dial {H4609} of Ahaz {H271}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yesha'yahu called out to ADONAI, and he brought the shadow on the sundial of Achaz ten intervals backward after it had gone down that far.

Berean Standard Bible

So Isaiah the prophet called out to the LORD, and He brought the shadow back the ten steps it had descended on the stairway of Ahaz.

American Standard Version

And Isaiah the prophet cried unto Jehovah; and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, by which it had gone down on the dial of Ahaz.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 20:11 recounts a profound miracle where God, through the prophet Isaiah, supernaturally reversed the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz by ten degrees. This extraordinary event served as an undeniable sign to King Hezekiah, confirming God's promise to heal him from a mortal illness and extend his life by fifteen years, simultaneously assuring Jerusalem's deliverance from the impending Assyrian threat. It stands as a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty over creation, time, and the natural order, demonstrating His direct and personal intervention in response to faithful prayer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the narrative of King Hezekiah's reign, specifically detailing a pivotal moment of personal crisis and divine intervention. Immediately preceding this account, Hezekiah is gravely ill, facing a prophetic declaration of imminent death from Isaiah, as recorded in [2 Kings 20:1](/2_kings/20-1 "2 Kings 20:1 - Hezekiah's Illness Foretold"). His fervent prayer, accompanied by tears, prompts God to dramatically reverse the decree. God then sends Isaiah back to promise not only healing and an additional fifteen years of life but also Jerusalem's deliverance from the formidable Assyrian army, as detailed in [2 Kings 20:5-6](/2_kings/20-5 "2 Kings 20:5-6 - God's Promise to Hezekiah"). Hezekiah, seeking concrete assurance for such an incredible promise, requests a sign. Given a choice between the shadow advancing or receding, he chooses the more difficult and counter-intuitive option of the shadow moving backward on the sundial. This miraculous event, also powerfully recounted in [Isaiah 38](/isaiah/38 "Isaiah 38 - Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery"), profoundly underscores God's personal attention to His faithful king and sets the stage for Hezekiah's subsequent actions, including his ill-advised display of wealth to the Babylonian envoys later in the chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Hezekiah ruled Judah from approximately 715-686 BCE, a period defined by immense geopolitical instability, dominated by the relentless expansion of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Jerusalem had recently endured a devastating siege by Sennacherib, from which it was miraculously delivered, a testament to God's protective hand described in [2 Kings 19](/2_kings/19 "2 Kings 19 - Sennacherib's Defeat"). The "dial of Ahaz" (מַעֲלוֹת אָחָז, _ma'alot 'achaz_) refers to a public time-keeping device, likely a series of steps or a graduated pillar, possibly constructed during the reign of Hezekiah's idolatrous father, King Ahaz. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, celestial phenomena were not merely observed but were often interpreted as potent omens or direct divine communications. For the shadow on such a public dial to move backward was an extraordinary and undeniable reversal of the natural order, visible to many. This was not a subtle event but a profound, public demonstration of divine power, far beyond any human manipulation, designed to solidify faith in God's omnipotence and the veracity of His prophet's word.
* **Key Themes:** The narrative surrounding [2 Kings 20:11](/2_kings/20-11 "2 Kings 20:11 - The Sundial's Shadow Reversed") powerfully articulates several core theological themes. Foremost is **Divine Intervention and Sovereignty**, showcasing God's absolute control over creation, time, and the very laws of nature. The reversal of the sundial shadow is a profound demonstration of His omnipotence, proving that nothing is too difficult for Him, a truth echoed in [Jeremiah 32:27](/jeremiah/32-27 "Jeremiah 32:27 - Is Anything Too Hard for God?"). Secondly, the passage highlights **God's Responsiveness to Prayer**. Hezekiah's desperate, tearful prayer in [2 Kings 20:3](/2_kings/20-3 "2 Kings 20:3 - Hezekiah's Prayer") moved God to change His declared will, emphasizing the transformative power of righteous and fervent prayer, as taught in [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - The Prayer of a Righteous Person"). Thirdly, the miracle serves as an undeniable sign of **God's Faithfulness and Assurance**, confirming His promise to heal Hezekiah and extend his life, thereby reinforcing His trustworthiness in the face of human doubt. Lastly, the **Authority of the Prophets** is vividly evident, with Isaiah acting as God's direct messenger, delivering both the initial prophecy of death and the subsequent message of life, and facilitating the miraculous sign.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **degrees (Hebrew, _maʻălâh'_ H4609):** This feminine noun, derived from a root meaning "to go up," literally signifies "elevation," "steps," or "ascents." In the context of the sundial, it refers to the graduated markings or increments on the device, likely a series of steps or a staircase, upon which the shadow would fall. The miracle involved the shadow moving backward across these specific "degrees" or "steps," indicating a precise and measurable reversal.
* **backward (Hebrew, _ʼăchôrannîyth'_ H322):** This adverb, prolonged from a root meaning "behind," denotes a reversal of direction, moving to the rear or in retreat. Its use here powerfully emphasizes the unnatural and miraculous nature of the event. Shadows normally progress forward with the sun's movement; for it to go "backward" signifies a direct, supernatural intervention by God, defying the regular course of celestial mechanics and the apparent progression of time.
* **Ahaz (Hebrew, _ʼÂchâz'_ H271):** This proper noun, meaning "possessor" or "he has grasped," refers to King Ahaz, Hezekiah's father and a previous king of Judah known for his idolatry. The "dial of Ahaz" was a public time-keeping device associated with him, perhaps built during his reign or a prominent feature of his palace or public square. The specific mention of Ahaz's dial makes the miracle highly localized and undeniably public, enhancing its impact as a divine sign.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD:"**: This opening clause establishes Isaiah's pivotal role as God's chosen instrument and intercessor. His "crying" (Hebrew: קָרָא, _qârâʼ_) implies a fervent, earnest appeal or prayer to the LORD, demonstrating his complete reliance on divine power to perform the requested sign. It highlights that the miracle was not a magical act by Isaiah himself, but a direct response from God through His prophet's petition, emphasizing God's active involvement in human affairs.
* **"and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward,"**: Here, the pronoun "he" unequivocally refers to the LORD. This is the core of the miracle – God Himself actively intervened in the natural order. The specification of "ten degrees" makes the miracle precise, measurable, and undeniable, removing any ambiguity. This quantifiable reversal of the shadow's movement (which normally progresses forward as the sun moves) is a dramatic display of God's absolute sovereignty over the cosmos, including the movement of celestial bodies and the very passage of time. It underscores His omnipotence.
* **"by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz."**: This final phrase clarifies the context and mechanism of the miracle. The "dial of Ahaz" was the specific time-measuring device upon which the shadow normally descended as the day progressed. The miracle involved the shadow not merely stopping its descent but actively reversing its course, moving "backward" up the steps or markings it had already descended. This detail emphasizes the profound, supernatural nature of God's act, confirming His power to suspend and even reverse natural laws for His divine purposes and in response to the prayers of His faithful.

#### Literary Devices
The account in [2 Kings 20:11](/2_kings/20-11 "2 Kings 20:11 - The Sundial's Shadow Reversed") is profoundly rich with literary devices that amplify its theological impact and underscore its significance. The most prominent is **Miracle**, as God directly intervenes in the natural progression of time by reversing the shadow on the sundial, a public and undeniable demonstration of His omnipotence. This miracle functions as a powerful **Sign**, a tangible and visible confirmation of God's extraordinary promise to King Hezekiah, designed specifically to strengthen his faith and assure him of divine faithfulness. The narrative also exemplifies **Divine Intervention**, showcasing God's active, personal, and immediate involvement in the affairs of His people, directly responding to Hezekiah's earnest prayer. Furthermore, there is a subtle yet profound element of **Symbolism** at play; just as the shadow on the dial was supernaturally reversed, so too was Hezekiah's fate reversed from impending death to extended life, powerfully illustrating God's sovereign power to turn around seemingly irreversible circumstances and bring life from the brink of death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The miraculous reversal of the sundial's shadow in [2 Kings 20:11](/2_kings/20-11 "2 Kings 20:11 - The Sundial's Shadow Reversed") is a profound theological statement about God's absolute sovereignty and His intimate engagement with humanity. It demonstrates that God is not merely a distant creator who set the universe in motion, but an active, personal, and omnipotent Lord who can suspend or alter the very laws of nature to accomplish His divine will and respond to the earnest prayers of His faithful. This extraordinary event underscores that God's power extends over all creation, including the celestial bodies and the progression of time itself, affirming His ultimate control over life and death, sickness and health. It serves as a powerful testament to the efficacy of earnest prayer and God's unwavering faithfulness in providing assurance and fulfilling His promises, even when circumstances appear dire, impossible, or contrary to His previously declared will.

* [Joshua 10:12-14](/joshua/10-12-14 "Joshua 10:12-14 - The Sun and Moon Stand Still for Joshua")
* [Psalm 74:16](/psalms/74-16 "Psalm 74:16 - God Controls Day and Night")
* [Isaiah 38:7-8](/isaiah/38-7-8 "Isaiah 38:7-8 - The Sign Given to Hezekiah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of the sundial's shadow reversing in [2 Kings 20:11](/2_kings/20-11 "2 Kings 20:11 - The Sundial's Shadow Reversed") serves as a timeless reminder that the God of the Bible is a God of wonders, whose power far transcends our understanding of natural law and human limitations. In a world often driven by skepticism, scientific rationalism, and an over-reliance on human capabilities, this narrative calls us back to a profound awe of divine omnipotence and a humble recognition of our dependence on Him. It encourages us to approach God with bold, earnest, and persistent prayer, knowing that He hears and responds, sometimes in ways that defy all expectation and seem utterly impossible. While we may not always receive such dramatic and public signs, the underlying truth remains: God is intimately concerned with our well-being, faithful to His promises, and capable of intervening in our lives in ways both seen and unseen. This story builds our faith, assuring us that no situation is too dire, no illness too terminal, and no threat too great for the God who commands the sun and reverses time itself. It invites us to trust in His sovereign power to bring about healing, restoration, and even a reversal of fortune in our own lives, according to His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust God's supernatural power to intervene, even when circumstances seem impossible or irreversible?**
* **How does Hezekiah's fervent, tearful prayer encourage you to bring your deepest needs and most desperate petitions before the Lord?**
* **What does this specific miracle reveal about God's character, and how does that deepen your understanding of His faithfulness and omnipotence?**
* **Are there "shadows" in your life – perhaps past mistakes, lingering regrets, or unfulfilled hopes – that you need God to turn "backward," bringing healing, restoration, or a reversal of circumstances?**

### FAQ

**What was the "dial of Ahaz"?**

Answer: The "dial of Ahaz" (Hebrew: מַעֲלוֹת אָחָז, _ma'alot 'achaz_) was likely a type of sundial or a series of steps (the Hebrew word _ma'alot_ literally means "steps" or "ascents") that functioned as a public time-keeping device in Jerusalem. It was probably a prominent structure, possibly a staircase or a pillar with graduated markings, where the shadow cast by a gnomon (a vertical indicator) would indicate the time of day. It was associated with King Ahaz, Hezekiah's father, suggesting it was either built by him or was a significant feature of his reign. The miracle involved the shadow on this specific device moving backward by ten "degrees" or "steps," making the divine intervention precise and observable.

**How did the shadow move backward? Was it a local phenomenon or a cosmic event?**

Answer: The biblical text explicitly describes this as a direct act of God: "and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward." This indicates a supernatural miracle, not a natural phenomenon. While the exact mechanism is not detailed, it implies a divine manipulation of light and shadow, or even a localized alteration of the Earth's rotation or the sun's apparent movement, to achieve this specific effect. Scholars debate whether this was a localized optical illusion affecting only the sundial or a broader cosmic event (like the sun "standing still" for Joshua in [Joshua 10:12-14](/joshua/10-12-14 "Joshua 10:12-14 - The Sun and Moon Stand Still for Joshua")). Given its purpose as a specific sign for Hezekiah, a localized, yet undeniable, supernatural reversal on the dial itself seems most probable, demonstrating God's precise control over creation without necessarily disrupting the entire cosmos. Regardless of the precise mechanics, it was a clear and observable act of divine power.

**Why did God provide this specific sign to Hezekiah?**

Answer: God provided this specific sign as a tangible and undeniable confirmation of His extraordinary promise to King Hezekiah. Hezekiah had just received a death sentence from God, and then, in response to his fervent prayer and tears, was promised fifteen more years of life and deliverance from the Assyrian threat. This was an incredible and seemingly impossible reversal of fate. Hezekiah, perhaps struggling with the magnitude of the promise, requested a sign. God, in His grace, offered a choice: the shadow advancing or receding. Hezekiah chose the more difficult, counter-intuitive sign of the shadow moving backward, which would be an undeniable demonstration of God's absolute power over time and creation. This sign served to strengthen Hezekiah's faith, assure him of God's faithfulness to His word, and publicly validate the prophetic message delivered by Isaiah. It was a deeply personal assurance for a king facing a life-and-death crisis.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miracle of the sundial's shadow reversing in [2 Kings 20:11](/2_kings/20-11 "2 Kings 20:11 - The Sundial's Shadow Reversed"), while a powerful display of God's sovereignty and responsiveness to King Hezekiah, ultimately points to the greater power and ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. God's ability to manipulate time and reverse the natural order foreshadows Christ's absolute authority over all creation, including sickness, death, and the very fabric of existence. Just as Hezekiah's life was miraculously extended, Christ came to offer eternal life, reversing the ultimate "shadow of death" that hangs over all humanity due to sin, as He declared, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"). The physical healing granted to Hezekiah finds its ultimate expression in Christ, the Great Physician, who heals not only bodies but also souls, taking away the sin of the world as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Furthermore, the sign given to Hezekiah points to Christ as the ultimate sign – the "Light of the World" [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World") whose resurrection from the dead is the supreme demonstration of God's power to reverse the irreversible and conquer death itself. Through Christ, God's promise of life and deliverance is not for a mere fifteen years, but for eternity, revealing His complete authority over all things, for "in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together" [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, Creator and Sustainer").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 38:8

Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.

2 Chronicles 32:24

¶ In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.

Joshua 10:12

Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

Joshua 10:14

And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.

2 Chronicles 32:31

Howbeit in [the business of] the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was [done] in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all [that was] in his heart.

Acts 9:40

But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning [him] to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

1 Kings 17:20

And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?