Isaiah 38:7-8
“This shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he has promised: Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The promise of a "sign" here isn't just about a cool, supernatural event; it’s specifically given to assure King Hezekiah that God will fulfill His promise to heal him. This sign isn't an afterthought or an arbitrary miracle, but a tangible confirmation that God's word is reliable, even when life feels uncertain.
King Hezekiah, facing a fatal illness and believing he was about to die, desperately prayed for his life, pleading his faithfulness to God. In response, God, through the prophet Isaiah, promised Hezekiah fifteen more years of life and the deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat. As a sign that these promises would be fulfilled, God orchestrated a miraculous event involving the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz.
God didn't just perform a miracle; He gave Hezekiah a specific sign. What was it meant to confirm, and why was that so important?
The verse states, 'This shall be a sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he has promised.' The 'thing' promised wasn't just Hezekiah's healing, but a broader assurance that God would fulfill His word. The sign of the sun-dial (detailed in 2 Kings 20:8-11) wasn't merely a spectacular event. It served as tangible proof that God, who controls the very fabric of time and creation, is utterly dependable. Hezekiah had received a promise of recovery and extended life, and this sign was God's way of saying, 'You can absolutely trust me on this.' It was a divine confirmation, anchoring Hezekiah's faith in the face of mortality.
Hezekiah wasn't just given a sign; he was involved in its selection. What does this choice reveal about his heart and his understanding of God?
While the verse itself is brief, the fuller account in 2 Kings reveals that Hezekiah asked for a sign (2 Kings 20:8). More than that, he was given a choice: should the shadow on the sun-dial move forward or backward? He chose the backward movement, deeming it the more astonishing feat. This wasn't about defying God, but about seeking a sign that was undeniably miraculous and powerful. His choice, described as 'less light a thing' (meaning less easy to explain away), showed a desire for absolute certainty. He wanted a sign that would leave no room for doubt, confirming not just his healing, but God's power over life and death itself.
Understand the original words
’oth · Hebrew Noun
A miraculous occurrence, wonder, or token intended to confirm a message or promise from God and to strengthen the faith of the believer in God’s word.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The covenant name of the one true God of Israel (Yahweh). It emphasizes His self-existence, faithfulness, and personal relationship with His people.
’amar · Hebrew Verb
A declaration or oath made by God regarding a future event. It carries the weight of His unchangeable character and certain fulfillment.
The sign of the sun's shadow receding ten degrees was a powerful, tangible confirmation of God's promise to heal King Hezekiah and add fifteen years to his life. It occurred during a period of intense national and personal crisis, offering assurance amidst the threat of Assyrian invasion and Hezekiah's own mortality.
c. 715-700 BC— this verse
Hezekiah's Illness and Prayer
King Hezekiah falls gravely ill and is told by the prophet Isaiah that he will die. Hezekiah prays fervently, and God extends his life by 15 years.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah and besieges Jerusalem. The city is miraculously delivered by divine intervention, as described in Isaiah 37.
c. 701-687 BC
Hezekiah's Extended Reign
Hezekiah continues to reign for an additional 15 years, a period marked by rebuilding and continued faith, as promised by God.
c. 687 BC
Death of Hezekiah
Hezekiah dies after his extended reign, with his son Manasseh succeeding him as king.
This passage provides the fuller account of Hezekiah's request for a sign and God's miraculous response with the sun's shadow, directly elaborating on the sign mentioned in Isaiah.
Isaiah 7:11This verse shows a prior instance where God offered a sign to King Ahaz, highlighting the theme of divine signs as confirmations of His promises, though Ahaz's response differed greatly from Hezekiah's.
John 1:14This verse speaks of God dwelling among us, echoing the broader theme that God often makes His presence and power known through tangible means, like the sign given to Hezekiah, to assure His people.
Romans 4:20-21It speaks of Abraham's unwavering faith in God's promise, despite its seeming impossibility, which parallels Hezekiah's reliance on the sign to confirm God's promise of healing and extended life.
barnesIsaiah 38:7: "And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;"
And this shall be a sign unto thee - That is, a sign, or proof that God would do what he had promised, and that Hezekiah would recover and be permitted to go again to the temple of the Lord Isaiah 38:22 ; 2 Kings 20:8 . On the meaning of the word 'sign,' see Isaiah 7:11 , note; Isaiah 7:14 , note; compare the note at Isaiah 37:30 . The promise was, that he should be permitted t…
cambridgeIsaiah 38:7: "And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;"
7, 8 . After Isaiah 38:6 , 2 Kings describes the prophet’s prescription for the malady (see on Isaiah 38:21 ). The account of the sign also is given in a much fuller form there. It was granted at the express request of the king (see Isaiah 38:22 ), who had not his father’s fear of “tempting the Lord” (ch. Isaiah 7:12 ). Allowed to choose between a “going forward” and a “going b…
The promise of a "sign" here isn't just about a cool, supernatural event; it’s specifically given to assure King Hezekiah that God will fulfill His promise to heal him. This sign isn't an afterthought or an arbitrary miracle, but a tangible confirmation that God's word is reliable, even when life feels uncertain.
King Hezekiah, facing a fatal illness and believing he was about to die, desperately prayed for his life, pleading his faithfulness to God. In response, God, through the prophet Isaiah, promised Hezekiah fifteen more years of life and the deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat. As a sign that these promises would be fulfilled, God orchestrated a miraculous event involving the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz.
King Hezekiah, facing a fatal illness and believing he was about to die, desperately prayed for his life, pleading his faithfulness to God. In response, God, through the prophet Isaiah, promised Hezekiah fifteen more years of life and the deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat. As a sign that these promises would be fulfilled, God orchestrated a miraculous event involving the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz.
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"“This shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he has promised: Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the…" — The promise of a "sign" here isn't just about a cool, supernatural event; it’s specifically given to assure King Hezekiah that God will fulfill His promise to heal him. This sign isn't an afterthou…
