Keraia
2 Kings 20

2 Kings 20:10

Hezekiah’s Illness and Recovery · 2 Kings 20:1–11
Read 2 Kings 20

Translations

Modern
“It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,” answered Hezekiah, “but not for it to go back ten steps.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Hezekiah answered, “It is light for the shadow to lengthen ten degrees. No, but let the shadow go backward ten degrees.”
Latin
Et ait Ezechias: Facile est umbram crescere decem lineis: nec hoc volo ut fiat, sed ut revertatur retrorsum decem gradibus.

Original

Hebrew
English
“It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,” answered Hezekiah, “but not for it to go back ten steps.”

Notes

2 Kings 20:10

go back ten steps: The shadow's retreat was unnatural, and this miracle confirmed God's message to Hezekiah.

2 Kings 20:1–19

In those days: This phrase gives a general time reference. It shows that the events are grouped by theme, not by strict order of time. The story about Merodach-baladan (2 Kings 20:12–19), who Sennacherib had expelled from Babylon before 701 BC, occurred before the events in chapters 18–19 but after Hezekiah's illness (2 Kings 20:12).

Theme notes and profiles

Hezekiah Isaiah

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 32:24–31 Isaiah 38:1–8

People

Hezekiah: A righteous king of Judah

Glossary

Astronomy Death Hezekiah Kings, Books of First and Second Sundial

Topics

Degrees: Or Steps in the Dial of Ahaz Disease of Hezekiah Faith: Hezekiah Hezekiah: King of Judah: Sickness and Restoration of Isaiah: Comforts Hezekiah in his Affliction Isaiah: Performs the Miracle of the Returning Shadow to Confirm Hezekiah's Faith Miracles: Catalogue of Return of the Shadow on the Sun Dial Rulers: Righteous: Hezekiah, in his Fear of the Lord Symbols and Similitudes: Shadow on Ahaz' Sun-Dial Time: Indicated by a Sun-Dial Time: The Sun-Dial Early Invented for Pointing Out