What does 2 Kings 20:11 mean?

"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." - 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." - 2 Kings 20:11

The Bible verse 2 Kings 20:11 in the King James Version (KJV) states:

"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."

To fully understand the context and significance of this verse, we must look at the events surrounding it. In this passage, King Hezekiah of Judah is gravely ill and on the brink of death. The prophet Isaiah comes to him and delivers a message from the Lord that he will not recover from his illness (2 Kings 20:1). Instead of accepting this fate, King Hezekiah prays fervently to God and weeps bitterly, pleading for his life (2 Kings 20:2-3). In response to his prayers, God hears his plea and instructs Isaiah to deliver another message to the king, promising to heal him and granting him 15 more years of life (2 Kings 20:4-6).

What is particularly significant about this passage is the miraculous sign that God performs to confirm his promise to Hezekiah. The Lord tells Hezekiah that he will cause the shadow on the sundial to move backward ten steps, as a sign that He will fulfill his promise (2 Kings 20:9-11). The verse in question, 2 Kings 20:11, records Isaiah's prayer to the Lord, and the subsequent fulfillment of the sign as the shadow on the sundial moves backward ten degrees.

This miraculous sign of the moving shadow on the sundial has raised a number of questions and interpretations among scholars and theologians. From a literal standpoint, this event demonstrates God's power over the natural order of the universe, as he is able to manipulate time itself. The moving of the shadow backward defies the laws of physics and serves as a clear demonstration of God's sovereignty and control over creation. It serves as a reminder that nothing is impossible for God, and that he is able to perform miraculous signs to confirm his promises.

Symbolically, the moving of the shadow on the sundial can be interpreted as a sign of God's willingness to intervene in the affairs of humankind. Just as he reversed the natural order of time to confirm his promise to Hezekiah, so too is he willing to intervene in our lives in unexpected and miraculous ways. It serves as a reminder that God's timing is not bound by human limitations, and that he is able to bring about supernatural interventions in our lives.

Furthermore, this event serves as a testimony to the faith and prayers of King Hezekiah. Despite the seemingly insurmountable circumstances of his illness, he turns to God in fervent prayer, and God hears and responds to his faith. This serves as an example of the power of prayer and the faithfulness of God to his people.

In conclusion, 2 Kings 20:11 and the surrounding passage convey a powerful message about God's sovereignty, his ability to perform miraculous signs, and the importance of faith and prayer. It serves as a reminder that nothing is impossible for God, and that he is able to intervene in our lives in unexpected and miraculous ways. It also highlights the importance of faith and prayer in our relationship with God. This passage is a testament to the power and faithfulness of God, and serves as an encouragement for believers to trust in his ability to intervene in their lives.

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2 Kings 20:11 Artwork

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."

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."

"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." - 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." - 2 Kings 20:11

2 Kings 11:20 - "And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house."

2 Kings 11:20 - "And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house."

1 Kings 20:11 - "And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off."

1 Kings 20:11 - "And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off."

2 Kings 2:11

2 Kings 2:11

"And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house." - 2 Kings 11:20

"And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house." - 2 Kings 11:20

2 Kings 2:11

2 Kings 2:11

2 Kings 2:11

2 Kings 2:11

2 Kings 20:20 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"

2 Kings 20:20 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"

Acts 20:11

Acts 20:11

2 Chronicles 11:20

2 Chronicles 11:20

2 Kings 20:2 - "Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,"

2 Kings 20:2 - "Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,"

2 Kings 15:11 - "And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."

2 Kings 15:11 - "And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."

2 Kings 2:20 - "And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him."

2 Kings 2:20 - "And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him."

2 Kings 20:16 - "And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD."

2 Kings 20:16 - "And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD."

2 Kings 10:20 - "And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it."

2 Kings 10:20 - "And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it."

2 Kings 7:11 - "And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within."

2 Kings 7:11 - "And he called the porters; and they told it to the king's house within."

2 Kings 25:20 - "And Nebuzar-adan captain of the guard took these, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah:"

2 Kings 25:20 - "And Nebuzar-adan captain of the guard took these, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah:"

2 Kings 2:11 – "As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared."

2 Kings 2:11 – "As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared."

1 Kings 11:20 - "And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh."

1 Kings 11:20 - "And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh."

2 Kings 14:20 - "And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David."

2 Kings 14:20 - "And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David."

2 Kings 20:21 - "And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead."

2 Kings 20:21 - "And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead."

2 Kings 21:20 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did."

2 Kings 21:20 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did."

2 Kings 13:20 - "¶ And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year."

2 Kings 13:20 - "¶ And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year."

2 Kings 20:7 - "And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered."

2 Kings 20:7 - "And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered."

2 Kings 8:20 - "¶ In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves."

2 Kings 8:20 - "¶ In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves."

2 Kings 11:21 - "Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign."

2 Kings 11:21 - "Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign."

2 Kings 24:11 - "And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it."

2 Kings 24:11 - "And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it."

2 Kings 19:11 - "Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?"

2 Kings 19:11 - "Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?"

2 Kings 7:20 - "And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died."

2 Kings 7:20 - "And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died."