Isaiah 38:8

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, I will bring again {H7725} the shadow {H6738} of the degrees {H4609}, which is gone down {H3381} in the sun {H8121} dial {H4609} of Ahaz {H271}, ten {H6235} degrees {H4609} backward {H322}. So the sun {H8121} returned {H7725} ten {H6235} degrees {H4609}, by which degrees {H4609} it was gone down {H3381}.

Complete Jewish Bible

that I will cause the shadow of the sundial, which has started going down on the sundial of Achaz, to go backward ten intervals.'" So the sun went back ten intervals of the distance it had already gone down.

Berean Standard Bible

I will make the sun’s shadow that falls on the stairway of Ahaz go back ten steps.’” So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had descended.

American Standard Version

behold, I will cause the shadow on the steps, which is gone down on the dial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps. So the sun returned ten steps on the dial whereon it was gone down.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 38:8 records a profound and unique miracle performed by God as a sign to King Hezekiah. Following Hezekiah's fervent prayer for healing and extended life, God promised to add fifteen years to his days. As an undeniable confirmation of this promise, God caused the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz to recede ten degrees backward, reversing the natural course of time as measured by the sun's movement. This extraordinary event served as a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His faithfulness to His word, demonstrating His capacity to intervene supernaturally in the physical world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 38:8 is situated within a crucial narrative concerning King Hezekiah's life and reign, specifically his miraculous recovery from a terminal illness. The preceding verses, [Isaiah 38:1-3](/isaiah/38-1 "Isaiah 38:1-3 - Hezekiah's Illness and Prayer"), describe Hezekiah's desperate prayer to God upon receiving a prophecy of his imminent death. In response, God, through the prophet Isaiah, declares in [Isaiah 38:5](/isaiah/38-5 "Isaiah 38:5 - God Promises Hezekiah's Recovery") that Hezekiah will be healed and granted an additional fifteen years of life. To solidify this extraordinary promise, God offers Hezekiah a choice of signs in [Isaiah 38:7](/isaiah/38-7 "Isaiah 38:7 - The Sign Offered to Hezekiah"): either the shadow on the sundial would advance ten degrees or recede ten degrees. Hezekiah, recognizing the greater difficulty and therefore the greater miraculous nature of the latter, chose for the shadow to go backward. Verse 8 then describes the immediate fulfillment of this chosen sign, serving as a divine seal on God's promise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "sundial of Ahaz" was likely a structure, possibly a set of steps or a staircase, with markings (degrees) that allowed people to tell time by observing the movement of the sun's shadow throughout the day. King Ahaz, Hezekiah's father, was known for his syncretistic religious practices and his adoption of foreign customs, so it is plausible he would have constructed such a device, perhaps even one influenced by Babylonian or Assyrian astronomical knowledge. For the shadow to go "ten degrees backward" was not merely an optical illusion but a genuine, observable reversal of the sun's apparent movement relative to the earth, a profound disruption of the natural order. This miracle occurred during Hezekiah's reign, a period marked by significant political and military tension, particularly with the powerful Assyrian Empire, as detailed in [Isaiah 36](/isaiah/36 "Isaiah 36 - Sennacherib's Invasion"). In such a time of national and personal crisis, a public and undeniable sign of God's power would have been immensely significant for both the king and his people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several core themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Intervention and Miracle**, showcasing God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His ability to suspend or alter natural laws at will. The reversal of the sun's shadow is a direct, supernatural act, underscoring that nothing is impossible for God ([Jeremiah 32:17](/jeremiah/32-17 "Jeremiah 32:17 - Nothing is too Hard for God")). Secondly, it emphasizes **God's Faithfulness to His Word**. The sign was given to confirm God's promise to Hezekiah, demonstrating that God is true to His declarations and will fulfill what He says, even when it defies human expectation or natural limitations. This concept is foundational to understanding God's character throughout the biblical narrative, as seen in [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man that He Should Lie"). Thirdly, the miracle serves as a testament to **Answered Prayer**. It is a direct, tangible response to Hezekiah's earnest plea for life, reinforcing the biblical truth that God hears and responds to the sincere prayers of His people ([Psalm 66:19](/psalms/66-19 "Psalm 66:19 - God Has Heard My Prayer")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **shadow (Hebrew, _tsêl'_):** (H6738) From a root meaning "to cover," this word denotes literal shade or shadow, but can also carry figurative meanings like "defence." In Isaiah 38:8, it refers to the visible projection cast by the gnomon (the part of the sundial that casts the shadow) onto the "degrees" or markings. The reversal of this shadow signifies a literal, observable change in the sun's apparent position, demonstrating God's direct control over natural phenomena.
* **degrees (Hebrew, _maʻălâh'_):** (H4609) This term, derived from a word meaning "elevation," refers to steps, stairs, or gradations. In the context of a sundial, it indicates the markings or steps that measured the passage of time by the sun's shadow. The specific mention of "ten degrees" emphasizes the precise and measurable nature of the miracle, making it an undeniable sign.
* **bring again / returned (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** (H7725) This primitive root means "to turn back," "return," or "retreat," both transitively and intransitively. Its repetition in the verse ("I will bring again... the sun returned") powerfully underscores the divine agency and the actual reversal of the shadow's (and thus the sun's apparent) movement. It highlights God's active intervention to reverse what is naturally irreversible, confirming His promise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees,":** This opening clause serves as a divine declaration, an emphatic statement of God's intention. The phrase "bring again" (H7725) immediately signals a reversal or restoration, indicating that God will cause the shadow, which naturally moves forward with the sun, to move backward on the sundial's markings. It sets the stage for a supernatural event that defies normal observation.
* **"which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward.":** This part specifies the object of the miracle—the shadow that had already "gone down" (H3381, descended, moved forward) on King Ahaz's sundial. The crucial detail is "ten degrees backward" (H322), quantifying the precise extent of the reversal. This was not a subtle shift but a significant, measurable, and clearly observable counter-movement against the natural progression of time. The mention of "the sun dial of Ahaz" grounds the miracle in a specific, known object, making the sign verifiable.
* **"So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.":** This concluding clause confirms the immediate and direct fulfillment of God's promise. The phrase "So the sun returned" (H7725) unequivocally states that the celestial body itself, or at least its apparent position relative to the earth, was supernaturally manipulated to cause the shadow's reversal. The repetition of "ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down" emphasizes the exact reversal of the previous movement, leaving no doubt about the miraculous nature and precision of God's intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 38:8 is rich in **Miracle/Supernatural Intervention**, as the core event described is a direct, observable alteration of the natural order, specifically the apparent movement of the sun. This serves to underscore God's omnipotence and His ability to control all aspects of creation. The "shadow of the degrees" functions as **Symbolism**, representing the passage of time and the natural, irreversible progression of life. Its reversal symbolizes God's power to intervene in and even reverse seemingly fixed realities, including the king's terminal illness and the decree of death. The precise measurement of "ten degrees" adds a layer of **Verifiability** to the miracle, making it a concrete, undeniable sign rather than an abstract concept, thus enhancing its impact as a divine confirmation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This extraordinary event in Isaiah 38:8 profoundly underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, including the celestial bodies and the very fabric of time. It reveals a God who is not bound by natural laws but can manipulate them at will to accomplish His divine purposes and confirm His promises. The miracle served as an undeniable testament to Hezekiah and all who witnessed it that God hears and responds to the earnest prayers of His people, and that His word is utterly trustworthy. It demonstrates that God's power extends beyond human comprehension, capable of reversing the seemingly irreversible and bringing life where death was imminent. This event provides a powerful theological foundation for trusting God in seemingly impossible situations, knowing that His power is limitless and His faithfulness unwavering.

* [2 Kings 20:8-11](/2_kings/20-8 "2 Kings 20:8-11 - The Sign of the Sundial")
* [Joshua 10:12-14](/joshua/10-12 "Joshua 10:12-14 - The Sun Stands Still for Joshua")
* [Psalm 74:16](/psalms/74-16 "Psalm 74:16 - God Controls Day and Night")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The miracle of the sundial in Isaiah 38:8 offers profound encouragement and challenges for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our God is not a distant, passive observer but an active, intervening deity who holds ultimate control over all things, from the grand cosmic order to the intimate details of our personal lives. When faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, dire diagnoses, or circumstances that defy human solution, this passage calls us to remember God's omnipotence. Just as He reversed the shadow of time for Hezekiah, He is capable of working beyond our expectations and natural limitations. This narrative also powerfully affirms the efficacy of sincere prayer; Hezekiah's desperate plea was met with a miraculous response, demonstrating that God truly hears and acts on behalf of His children. We are invited to bring our impossible situations before Him with faith, trusting in His power and His perfect will, even if His answers do not always manifest in such dramatic, visible signs. The ultimate sign for us is His faithfulness to His promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the miracle of the sundial challenge your understanding of God's power and sovereignty in your own life?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently facing "impossible" situations that you need to bring to God in prayer, trusting in His ability to intervene?**
* **What does Hezekiah's experience teach us about the nature of God's promises and His faithfulness to fulfill them?**
* **Beyond dramatic signs, how can we discern and trust God's ongoing activity and faithfulness in our daily lives?**

### FAQ
**What was the "sundial of Ahaz" mentioned in the verse?**

Answer: The "sundial of Ahaz" was likely a public time-measuring device, possibly a series of steps or a staircase, with marked "degrees" or gradations. It functioned by casting a shadow from a central gnomon (a vertical stick or pillar), which moved across the degrees as the sun traversed the sky, indicating the time of day. It was named after King Ahaz, Hezekiah's father, who may have constructed or acquired it. The miracle involved the shadow moving backward on these degrees, contrary to its natural progression.

**Was the reversal of the shadow a literal astronomical event or merely an optical illusion?**

Answer: The biblical text strongly implies a literal, observable reversal of the sun's apparent movement, not just an optical illusion. The language, "So the sun returned ten degrees," suggests that the sun itself (or at least its observable position relative to Earth) was supernaturally altered. While the precise scientific mechanism is not explained, the narrative presents it as a genuine cosmic event, a direct intervention by God into the natural order to provide an undeniable sign to King Hezekiah and his people. This aligns with other biblical accounts of God's direct control over celestial bodies, such as in [Joshua 10:12-14](/joshua/10-12 "Joshua 10:12-14 - The Sun Stands Still").

**Why did God perform such a dramatic miracle for Hezekiah?**

Answer: God performed this dramatic miracle as an undeniable sign to confirm His promise to King Hezekiah. Hezekiah had prayed fervently for his life to be extended, and God, through Isaiah, promised him an additional fifteen years. To assure Hezekiah of this seemingly impossible healing and life extension, God offered a sign. Hezekiah chose the more difficult sign—the shadow receding backward—because it would be a greater testament to God's power. The miracle served to solidify Hezekiah's faith, demonstrate God's faithfulness to His word, and publicly display God's absolute sovereignty over life, death, and all creation, especially in a time of national crisis (cf. [2 Kings 20:8-11](/2_kings/20-8 "2 Kings 20:8-11 - The Sign of the Sundial")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The extraordinary miracle of the sundial, where God reversed the course of the sun's shadow for King Hezekiah, serves as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of the ultimate power and authority of Jesus Christ. Just as God demonstrated His sovereignty over creation by altering the sun's path, Jesus, the Son of God, consistently displayed His mastery over the natural world during His earthly ministry. He calmed raging storms with a word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")), walked on water ([Matthew 14:25](/matthew/14-25 "Matthew 14:25 - Jesus Walks on Water")), and miraculously multiplied food to feed thousands ([John 6:11](/john/6-11 "John 6:11 - Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand")). The reversal of time's shadow for Hezekiah speaks to God's power over life and death, a power supremely manifested in Christ's victory over death through His resurrection ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). Furthermore, the sign given to Hezekiah confirmed God's promise of extended life; similarly, Jesus Christ is the ultimate "sign" given by God, confirming all His promises and offering eternal life to those who believe in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). In Christ, all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")), culminating in His power to heal not just for fifteen years, but to grant everlasting life and dominion over all creation.

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

2 Kings 20:9

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 20:11

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.

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 32:24

¶ 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.

Matthew 16:1

¶ The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

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.