This verse from 2 Kings 20:11 describes a miraculous sign given to King Hezekiah as confirmation that God would heal him and extend his life. Let's break down the meaning:
"Isaiah the prophet cried to Yahweh..." Isaiah was a prominent prophet in the kingdom of Judah. Hezekiah, the king, was seriously ill and near death. Isaiah prayed to God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God) on Hezekiah's behalf.
"...and he brought the shadow ten steps backward..." This refers to a sundial, likely located in the courtyard of the royal palace. Sundials measure time by the position of a shadow cast by the sun. God miraculously caused the shadow to reverse its direction and move back ten steps.
"...by which it had gone down on the sundial of Ahaz." Ahaz was Hezekiah's father and a previous king of Judah. The sundial was likely constructed during his reign. The verse clarifies that the shadow's backward movement occurred on this specific sundial.
Significance of the Miracle:
The backward movement of the sundial's shadow was a highly unusual and supernatural event. Its purpose was to provide Hezekiah with a visible sign of God's power and assurance that his prayer for healing had been heard. In essence, it was proof that God was willing and able to intervene in the natural order to fulfill his promise.
Symbolic Interpretation:
Some scholars interpret the miracle as a symbol of God reversing the course of events. Hezekiah was destined to die, but God turned back the decree and granted him fifteen more years of life.
In summary, 2 Kings 20:11 describes a divine miracle performed in response to Isaiah's prayer. The reversal of the sundial's shadow served as a sign of God's power and faithfulness, confirming his promise to heal Hezekiah and prolong his life.
This verse from 2 Kings 20:11 describes a miraculous sign given to King Hezekiah as confirmation that God would heal him and extend his life. Let's break down the meaning:
"Isaiah the prophet cried to Yahweh..." Isaiah was a prominent prophet in the kingdom of Judah. Hezekiah, the king, was seriously ill and near death. Isaiah prayed to God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God) on Hezekiah's behalf.
"...and he brought the shadow ten steps backward..." This refers to a sundial, likely located in the courtyard of the royal palace. Sundials measure time by the position of a shadow cast by the sun. God miraculously caused the shadow to reverse its direction and move back ten steps.
"...by which it had gone down on the sundial of Ahaz." Ahaz was Hezekiah's father and a previous king of Judah. The sundial was likely constructed during his reign. The verse clarifies that the shadow's backward movement occurred on this specific sundial.
Significance of the Miracle:
The backward movement of the sundial's shadow was a highly unusual and supernatural event. Its purpose was to provide Hezekiah with a visible sign of God's power and assurance that his prayer for healing had been heard. In essence, it was proof that God was willing and able to intervene in the natural order to fulfill his promise.
Symbolic Interpretation:
Some scholars interpret the miracle as a symbol of God reversing the course of events. Hezekiah was destined to die, but God turned back the decree and granted him fifteen more years of life.
In summary, 2 Kings 20:11 describes a divine miracle performed in response to Isaiah's prayer. The reversal of the sundial's shadow served as a sign of God's power and faithfulness, confirming his promise to heal Hezekiah and prolong his life.