Topical Bible: Sun: Shadow of Went Back on the Sun-Dial of Ahaz

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Topical Encyclopedia

The miraculous event of the shadow going back on the sun-dial of Ahaz is a significant occurrence recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of 2 Kings and Isaiah. This event is associated with the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, a king noted for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to restore proper worship in the kingdom.

Biblical Account

The primary accounts of this miracle are found in 2 Kings 20:8-11 and Isaiah 38:7-8. In these passages, King Hezekiah falls gravely ill, and the prophet Isaiah is sent by God to inform him that he will not recover. In response to Hezekiah's fervent prayer and tears, God grants him an additional fifteen years of life. As a sign of this promise, God performs a miracle involving the sun-dial of Ahaz, Hezekiah's father.

2 Kings 20:9-11 states: "Isaiah answered, 'This will be the sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or back ten steps?' 'It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,' replied Hezekiah, 'but not for it to go back ten steps.' So Isaiah the prophet called out to the LORD, and He brought the shadow back the ten steps it had descended on the stairway of Ahaz."

Theological Significance

This event is often interpreted as a demonstration of God's sovereignty over creation, including the celestial bodies. The reversal of the shadow on the sun-dial is seen as a divine intervention that defies natural laws, underscoring God's power to alter the course of nature for His purposes. It serves as a tangible sign of God's faithfulness to His promises and His ability to control time itself.

Historical and Cultural Context

The sun-dial of Ahaz, referred to in the text, was likely a form of timekeeping device used in ancient Judah. While the exact nature of this sun-dial is not detailed in the biblical text, it is generally understood to be a series of steps or a stairway upon which the shadow cast by the sun would move, indicating the passage of time.

The miracle's occurrence during Hezekiah's reign is significant, as it aligns with his efforts to lead Judah back to the worship of Yahweh and away from idolatry. This miraculous sign would have served to strengthen Hezekiah's faith and the faith of the people in God's power and presence.

Prophetic Implications

The event also holds prophetic implications, as it is tied to the assurance of Hezekiah's recovery and the extension of his life. It symbolizes God's mercy and willingness to respond to the prayers of the faithful. Furthermore, it foreshadows the ultimate control God has over time and history, pointing to the eschatological hope found throughout Scripture.

Conclusion

The account of the shadow going back on the sun-dial of Ahaz remains a powerful testament to God's miraculous intervention in the lives of His people. It highlights the themes of divine sovereignty, faithfulness, and the assurance of God's promises, serving as a reminder of His omnipotence and care for those who seek Him earnestly.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 20:11
And Isaiah the prophet cried to the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 38:8
Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.
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Library

The Historical Books.
... Here it is manifest that to human vision the sun, and with it the shadow, went backward
ten ... up to the supposition that the earth was turned back on her ...
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