Old Testament
Isaiah 38:8
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
I will make the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz go backward 10 steps." And the sun's shadow moved back 10 steps on the sundial where it had already gone down.
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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.
What Isaiah 38:8 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Isaiah 38:8, God promises to reverse the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz by ten steps, demonstrating His power over time and nature. This miraculous sign was given to King Hezekiah as reassurance of God's promise to extend his life after he prayed for healing. The sundial, a device used to tell time based on the position of the sun, serves as a tangible symbol of God's authority. By moving the shadow backward, God not only confirms His ability to alter the natural order but also provides a visible sign of His faithfulness to His people. This event emphasizes the importance of faith and prayer, showing that God listens to the cries of His followers and responds in ways that affirm His sovereignty. The backward movement of the shadow serves as a reminder that God can intervene in our lives, changing our circumstances in ways we may not expect, reinforcing the idea that nothing is impossible for Him.
How to apply Isaiah 38:8 to your life
This verse encourages us to trust in God's power to change our situations. When faced with challenges, we can pray with faith, knowing that God hears us and can intervene in miraculous ways. It reminds us to remain hopeful and expectant in our prayers.
Curated for this public verse page. Isaiah Summary
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Illustrated scene from Isaiah's story: Hezekiah's Illness (Isaiah 38:1–22)
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Isaiah
Photo: Deror Avi, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source. Location: Tel Shiloh archaeological site, West Bank. Resized for the web.
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Where Israel set up the tabernacle, and where God called the boy Samuel.
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At a Glance — the Book of Isaiah
- Author
- Isaiah the prophet
- Written
- Around 700 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah and the surrounding nations
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Isaiah 38:8 mean?
Isaiah 38:8 describes God reversing the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz by ten steps, symbolizing His power over time and nature. This miracle was a sign to King Hezekiah that God would extend his life after he prayed for healing.
What is the significance of the sundial in Isaiah 38:8?
The sundial in Isaiah 38:8 represents a tangible way to measure time, and its shadow moving backward serves as a miraculous sign of God's authority and intervention in the natural order.
What does the phrase 'ten degrees backward' mean in Isaiah 38:8?
The phrase 'ten degrees backward' refers to the miraculous event where the shadow on Ahaz's sundial moved back ten steps, illustrating God's ability to alter time as a sign of His promise to Hezekiah.
How does Isaiah 38:8 relate to faith and prayer?
Isaiah 38:8 emphasizes the importance of faith and prayer, showing that God listens to His followers and can respond in miraculous ways, reinforcing the belief that nothing is impossible for Him.
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