Old Testament

Isaiah 38:8

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

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.

Author: Isaiah the prophet
Written: Around 700 BC
Genre: Prophecy
Original Audience: Judah and the surrounding nations

CBTClear Bible Translation

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.

KJVKing James Version

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.

Verse Analysis

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. Explore related divine.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

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

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.

Book Summary

The Book of Isaiah

Isaiah 41: Fear Not, I Am With You

The LORD calls the nations to keep silence before him and to renew their strength. He asks who raises up the righteous man from the east and gives nations before him, making him rule over kings. He says he gives them as dust to his sword and as driven stubble to his bow, and he declares he is the first and with the last.

The isles see and fear, and the ends of the earth draw near. Craftsmen encourage one another and strengthen idols with nails so they do not move. The LORD then speaks directly to Israel, calling him his servant, the seed of Abraham his friend. He tells Israel not to fear, for he is with him, and says he strengthens, helps, and upholds him with the right hand of his righteousness. He promises those who contend with Israel are as nothing, makes Israel a new sharp threshing instrument that threshes mountains, and answers the poor and needy by making rivers in high places and fountains in valleys. Isaiah 42: Behold My Servant The LORD presents his servant, whom he upholds and in whom his soul delights. He says he puts his spirit upon him and that he brings forth judgment to the Gentiles, not crying or lifting up his voice in the streets, and not breaking a bruised reed. The LORD says he calls him in righteousness, holds his hand, keeps him, and gives him for a covenant of the people and a light of the Gentiles. The LORD declares his glory he does not give to another nor his praise to graven images. He speaks of new things before they spring forth and calls for a new song from the ends of the earth. The chapter describes the LORD going forth as a mighty man and crying out against his enemies. It describes a people robbed and spoiled, snared in holes, yet not saying, “Restore,” and it says they do not lay it to heart. The LORD pours upon them fury of his anger and the strength of battle, yet they do not know or consider.

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