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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 20:10 "It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps," answered Hezekiah, "but not for it to go back ten steps."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/20-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/12_2Ki_20_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 20:10 - Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps, answered Hezekiah, but not for it to go back ten steps." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_kings/20-10.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_kings/20-10.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_kings/">2 Kings</a> > <a href="/2_kings/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 10</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_kings/20-9.htm" title="2 Kings 20:9">◄</a> 2 Kings 20:10 <a href="/2_kings/20-11.htm" title="2 Kings 20:11">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_kings/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_kings/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220It is a simple matter for the shadow to go forward ten steps,&#8221 said Hezekiah. &#8220Rather, have it go back ten steps.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“The shadow always moves forward,” Hezekiah replied, “so that would be easy. Make it go ten steps backward instead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Hezekiah answered, “It is an easy thing for the shadow to lengthen ten steps. Rather let the shadow go back ten steps.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,” answered Hezekiah, “but not for it to go back ten steps.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Hezekiah answered, “It is an easy thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees; no, but let the shadow go backward ten degrees.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Hezekiah said, “It is easy for the shadow to decline ten steps; no, but have the shadow turn backward ten steps.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So Hezekiah answered, &#8220It is easy for the shadow to decline ten steps; no, but let the shadow turn backward ten steps.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So Hezekiah answered, “It is easy for the shadow to decline ten steps; no, but let the shadow turn backward ten steps.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So Hezekiah answered, “It is easy for the shadow to stretch forward ten steps; no, but let the shadow turn backward ten steps.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Hezekiah answered, “It is easy for the shadow to go forward ten steps; no, but let the shadow turn backward ten steps.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Hezekiah answered, “It’s easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps. No, let the shadow go back ten steps.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Hezekiah answered, &#8220It&#8217s easy for the shadow to lengthen 10 steps. No, let the shadow go back 10 steps.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to decline ten steps: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"It's normal for the sun to go forward," Hezekiah answered. "But how can it go back?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to decline ten steps: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Hezekiah replied, "It's easy for the shadow to extend ten [more] steps forward. No, let it come back ten steps."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Hezekiah answered, "It's easy to have the shadow go forward ten steps! Have it go back ten steps." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Hezekiah answered, "It's an easy thing for a shadow to lengthen ten steps. So let the shadow go backward ten steps."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />“It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,” answered Hezekiah, “but not for it to go back ten steps.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Hezekiah answered, "It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps, but not for it to go back ten steps."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Hezekiah answered, "It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. Nay, but let the shadow return backward ten steps."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten degrees: no, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Hezekiah answered, “It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. No, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Hezekiah says, “It has been light for the shadow to incline ten degrees; no, but let the shadow turn backward ten degrees.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Hezekiah saith, 'It hath been light for the shadow to incline ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow turn backward ten degrees.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Hezekiah will say, A light thing to the shadow to bow ten steps: nay, for the shadow shall turn backwards ten steps.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Ezechias said: It is an easy matter for the shadow to go forward ten lines: and I do not desire that this be done, but let it return back ten degrees. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Hezekiah said: “It is an easy for the shadow to increase for ten lines. And so I do not wish that this be done. Instead, let it turn back for ten degrees.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“It is easy for the shadow to advance ten steps,” Hezekiah answered. “Rather, let it go back ten steps.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Hezekiah answered, “It is normal for the shadow to lengthen ten intervals; rather let the shadow retreat ten intervals.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Hezekiah answered, It is an easy thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees; not so, but let the shadow turn backward ten degrees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Hezekiah said: “This is little that the shadow would walk ten degrees; not so, but let the shadow return behind itself ten degrees!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Hezekiah answered: 'It is a light thing for the shadow to decline ten degrees; nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Ezekias said, <i>It is</i> a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return ten degrees backward on the dial.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/20-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=7159" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/20.htm">Hezekiah's Illness and Recovery</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">9</span>And Isaiah had replied, “This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: Would you like the shadow to go forward ten steps, or back ten steps?” <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7043.htm" title="7043: nā·qêl (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To be slight, swift or trifling. A primitive root; to be light, literally Or figuratively.">“It is easy</a> <a href="/hebrew/6738.htm" title="6738: laṣ·ṣêl (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- A shadow. From tsalal; shade, whether literal or figurative.">for the shadow</a> <a href="/hebrew/5186.htm" title="5186: lin·ṭō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away; used in a great variety of application.">to lengthen</a> <a href="/hebrew/6235.htm" title="6235: ‘e·śer (Number-fsc) -- Ten. Masculine of term aasarah; from asar; ten.">ten</a> <a href="/hebrew/4609.htm" title="4609: ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ (N-fp) -- Feminine of ma'aleh; elevation, i.e. The act, or the condition; specifically a climactic progression.">steps,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">answered</a> <a href="/hebrew/2396.htm" title="2396: yə·ḥiz·qî·yā·hū (N-proper-ms) -- Yah has strengthened, a king of Judah, also several other Isr. ">Hezekiah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“but not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: ḵî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6738.htm" title="6738: haṣ·ṣêl (Art:: N-ms) -- A shadow. From tsalal; shade, whether literal or figurative.">for it</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: yā·šūḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">to go</a> <a href="/hebrew/322.htm" title="322: ’ă·ḥō·ran·nîṯ (Adv) -- Backwards. Prolonged from 'achowr; backwards.">back</a> <a href="/hebrew/6235.htm" title="6235: ‘e·śer (Number-fsc) -- Ten. Masculine of term aasarah; from asar; ten.">ten</a> <a href="/hebrew/4609.htm" title="4609: ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ (N-fp) -- Feminine of ma'aleh; elevation, i.e. The act, or the condition; specifically a climactic progression.">steps.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/38-8.htm">Isaiah 38:8</a></span><br />I will make the sun’s shadow that falls on the stairway of Ahaz go back ten steps.’” So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had descended.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/10-12.htm">Joshua 10:12-14</a></span><br />On the day that the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” / So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? “So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.” / There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man, because the LORD fought for Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-29.htm">2 Kings 19:29-31</a></span><br />And this will be a sign to you, O Hezekiah: This year you will eat what grows on its own, and in the second year what springs from the same. But in the third year you will sow and reap; you will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. / And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root below and bear fruit above. / For a remnant will go forth from Jerusalem, and survivors from Mount Zion. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-24.htm">2 Chronicles 32:24-26</a></span><br />In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. So he prayed to the LORD, who spoke to him and gave him a sign. / But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem. / Then Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart—he and the people of Jerusalem—so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-14.htm">Genesis 1:14-19</a></span><br />And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to distinguish between the day and the night, and let them be signs to mark the seasons and days and years. / And let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.” And it was so. / God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. And He made the stars as well. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/74-16.htm">Psalm 74:16-17</a></span><br />The day is Yours, and also the night; You established the moon and the sun. / You set all the boundaries of the earth; You made the summer and winter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/136-7.htm">Psalm 136:7-9</a></span><br />He made the great lights—His loving devotion endures forever. / the sun to rule the day, His loving devotion endures forever. / the moon and stars to govern the night. His loving devotion endures forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/9-7.htm">Job 9:7</a></span><br />He commands the sun not to shine; He seals off the stars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/33-20.htm">Jeremiah 33:20-21</a></span><br />“This is what the LORD says: If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that day and night cease to occupy their appointed time, / then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant and with My ministers the Levites who are priests, so that David will not have a son to reign on his throne.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-8.htm">Amos 5:8</a></span><br />He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns darkness into dawn and darkens day into night, who summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the face of the earth—the LORD is His name—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-29.htm">Matthew 24:29</a></span><br />Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-24.htm">Mark 13:24-25</a></span><br />But in those days, after that tribulation: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; / the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-25.htm">Luke 21:25</a></span><br />There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-19.htm">Acts 2:19-20</a></span><br />I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. / The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and glorious Day of the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-12.htm">Revelation 6:12-14</a></span><br />And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red, / and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind. / The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: no, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/2-10.htm">2 Kings 2:10</a></b></br> And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: <i>nevertheless</i>, if thou see me <i>when I am</i> taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be <i>so</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/3-18.htm">2 Kings 3:18</a></b></br> And this is <i>but</i> a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/49-6.htm">Isaiah 49:6</a></b></br> And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/18-37.htm">Backward</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-11.htm">Decline</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-9.htm">Degrees</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-18.htm">Easy</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-9.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-8.htm">Hezekiah</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-8.htm">Hezeki'ah</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-16.htm">Incline</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-9.htm">Light</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-28.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-39.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-9.htm">Shadow</a> <a href="/exodus/18-26.htm">Simple</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-9.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-9.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-9.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/20-11.htm">Backward</a> <a href="/psalms/119-157.htm">Decline</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-11.htm">Degrees</a> <a href="/psalms/73-12.htm">Easy</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/19-14.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-12.htm">Hezekiah</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-12.htm">Hezeki'ah</a> <a href="/psalms/10-17.htm">Incline</a> <a href="/esther/8-16.htm">Light</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-30.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/17-4.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-11.htm">Shadow</a> <a href="/job/5-2.htm">Simple</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-11.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-11.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-2.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/20-1.htm">Hezekiah, having received a message of death, by prayer has his life lengthened.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/20-8.htm">The sun goes ten degrees backward for a sign of that promise.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/20-12.htm">Berodach-baladan sending to visit Hezekiah has notice of his treasures.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/20-14.htm">Isaiah understanding thereof, foretells the Babylonian captivity.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/20-20.htm">Manasseh succeeds Hezekiah.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/2_kings/20.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Hezekiah answered</b><br />The name "Hezekiah" means "Yahweh strengthens" in Hebrew, reflecting his reliance on God throughout his reign. As a king of Judah, Hezekiah is known for his faithfulness and reforms, which included the removal of idolatry and the restoration of temple worship. His response here is a direct communication with the prophet Isaiah, showcasing his active engagement with God's message and his desire for a sign that would confirm God's promise of healing.<p><b>It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps</b><br />The "shadow" refers to the sundial or steps of Ahaz, a timekeeping device of the period. In ancient times, the movement of shadows was a natural occurrence as the sun moved across the sky. Hezekiah's statement acknowledges the natural progression of time, where shadows lengthen as the day progresses. This reflects his understanding of the natural order and his desire for a miraculous sign that defies this order, demonstrating God's power over creation.<p><b>no, let it retreat ten steps</b><br />Here, Hezekiah requests a supernatural sign, asking for the shadow to move backward, which would be a reversal of the natural order. This request signifies his faith in God's ability to perform miracles and intervene in the natural world. The retreat of the shadow would serve as a powerful confirmation of God's promise to extend Hezekiah's life and protect Jerusalem. This miraculous event is a testament to God's sovereignty and His willingness to provide assurance to His faithful servant.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) <span class= "bld">It is a light thing for the shadow to go down.</span>--Because that was the ordinary course of things. As a natural phenomenon, of course, the <span class= "ital">sudden</span> extension of the shadow would have been as wonderful as its retrogression; but what is in any way a familiar occurrence must needs <span class= "ital">seem</span> easier than what has never fallen under observation.<p><span class= "bld">To go down.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">to spread.</span> The LXX. has <span class= "greekheb">??????</span><span class= "ital">,</span> another use of the Hebrew verb. The Targum, Syriac, and Arabic render "to go forward" (march).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees.</span> Hezekiah views it as a comparatively easy thing for the shadow, which is already descending the steps, to accelerate its pace and rapidly descend fifteen degrees instead of slowly traversing them; and therefore accepts Isaiah's other offer. <span class="cmt_word">Nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.</span> Let it, <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, change its direction, and having descended a certain distance, suddenly return and ascend again. This will be no "light thing," but a great marvel, which will thoroughly convince him. The thought was natural, though perhaps not strictly logical. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/20-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“It is easy</span><br /><span class="heb">נָקֵ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(nā·qêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7043.htm">Strong's 7043: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be slight, swift or trifling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the shadow</span><br /><span class="heb">לַצֵּ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(laṣ·ṣêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6738.htm">Strong's 6738: </a> </span><span class="str2">A shadow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to lengthen</span><br /><span class="heb">לִנְט֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(lin·ṭō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5186.htm">Strong's 5186: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ten</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶ֣שֶׂר</span> <span class="translit">(‘e·śer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6235.htm">Strong's 6235: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">steps,”</span><br /><span class="heb">מַעֲל֑וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4609.htm">Strong's 4609: </a> </span><span class="str2">Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression</span><br /><br /><span class="word">answered</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Hezekiah,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְחִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḥiz·qî·yā·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2396.htm">Strong's 2396: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hezekiah -- 'Yah has strengthened', a king of Judah, also several other Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“but not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for it</span><br /><span class="heb">הַצֵּ֛ל</span> <span class="translit">(haṣ·ṣêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6738.htm">Strong's 6738: </a> </span><span class="str2">A shadow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to go</span><br /><span class="heb">יָשׁ֥וּב</span> <span class="translit">(yā·šūḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">back</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲחֹרַנִּ֖ית</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḥō·ran·nîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_322.htm">Strong's 322: </a> </span><span class="str2">Backwards</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ten</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶ֥שֶׂר</span> <span class="translit">(‘e·śer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6235.htm">Strong's 6235: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">steps.”</span><br /><span class="heb">מַעֲלֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4609.htm">Strong's 4609: </a> </span><span class="str2">Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/20-10.htm">2 Kings 20:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/20-10.htm">2 Kings 20:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/20-10.htm">2 Kings 20:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/20-10.htm">2 Kings 20:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/20-10.htm">2 Kings 20:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/20-10.htm">2 Kings 20:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/20-10.htm">2 Kings 20:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/20-10.htm">2 Kings 20:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/20-10.htm">2 Kings 20:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/20-10.htm">2 Kings 20:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/20-10.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 20:10 Hezekiah answered It is a light thing (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/20-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 20:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 20:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/20-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 20:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 20:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>