King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 20:9 Mean?

2 Kings 20:9 in the King James Version says “And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the s...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 20:9 · KJV

Context

7

And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

8

And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?

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?

10

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.

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. dial: Heb. degrees

Read 2 Kings 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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?

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 20: God's mercy and human presumption. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart transformation.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 20 takes place during Hezekiah's reign in Judah, late 8th century BCE, around 715-686 BCE. The chapter's theme (Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery) reflects the historical reality of genuine religious reform under Hezekiah, including trust in God that resulted in miraculous deliverance from Assyria. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 20 regarding god's mercy and human presumption?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 22

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְשַׁעְיָ֗הוּ2 of 22

“And Isaiah”

H3470

jeshajah, the name of seven israelites

זֶה3 of 22
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לְּךָ֤4 of 22
H0
הָאוֹת֙5 of 22

“This sign”

H226

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

מֵאֵ֣ת6 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֔ה7 of 22

“shalt thou have of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּ֚י8 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יַֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה9 of 22

“will do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יְהוָ֔ה10 of 22

“shalt thou have of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת11 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַדָּבָ֖ר12 of 22

“the thing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁ֣ר13 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֵּ֑ר14 of 22

“that he hath spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

הָלַ֤ךְ15 of 22

“go forward”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

הַצֵּל֙16 of 22

“shall the shadow”

H6738

shade, whether literal or figurative

עֶ֥שֶׂר17 of 22

“ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

מַֽעֲלֽוֹת׃18 of 22

“degrees”

H4609

elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o

אִם19 of 22
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יָשׁ֖וּב20 of 22

“or go back”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

עֶ֥שֶׂר21 of 22

“ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

מַֽעֲלֽוֹת׃22 of 22

“degrees”

H4609

elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 20:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 20:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 38:7-8Mark 8:11-12Matthew 16:1-4Luke 11:29-30

Test Your Knowledge

2 Kings 20 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Kings 20 with CommentaryAll 2 Kings ChaptersComplete 2 Kings QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes