One of the most extraordinary miracles recorded in Scripture is the time when the sun moved backward as a sign from God. This event took place during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah and is found in 2 Kings 20:8-11, Isaiah 38:7-8, and referenced in 2 Chronicles 32:24.
Hezekiah, a righteous king of Judah, had fallen sick and was near death. The prophet Isaiah came to him with a word from the Lord, telling him:
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.’” (2 Kings 20:1)
Hezekiah, in desperation, turned his face to the wall and prayed, pleading with God to remember his faithfulness. In response, the Lord sent Isaiah back to deliver a new message:
“I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. And I will add to your days fifteen years.” (2 Kings 20:5-6)
The Sign of the Reversed Shadow
Hezekiah, perhaps struggling to believe that such a thing could happen, asked for a sign to confirm God’s promise. In response, Isaiah declared that the Lord would move the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz backward:
“And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, ‘What is the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the Lord the third day?’ Then Isaiah said, ‘This is the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing which He has spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees or go backward ten degrees?’
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.’ So Isaiah the prophet cried out to the Lord, and He brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down on the sundial of Ahaz.” (2 Kings 20:8-11)
This was an undeniable sign. A shadow moves forward naturally as the sun progresses across the sky, but for it to move backward was a supernatural intervention—one that could not be explained by normal celestial movements.
Understanding the Sundial of Ahaz
The sundial of Ahaz was likely a series of steps or a built-in structure that measured time by the position of the sun’s shadow. Ahaz, Hezekiah’s father, was a wicked king who introduced idolatry into Judah (2 Kings 16:1-4). It is possible that this sundial was an instrument he had imported from pagan influences. However, God used it to demonstrate His power, showing that He is ruler over time itself.
A Parallel to Joshua’s Long Day
This is not the first time God altered the natural order of the sun. In Joshua 10:12-14, we see a similar miracle when Joshua and Israel were fighting against the Amorites. Joshua prayed, and the sun stood still for an entire day:
“Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel:
‘Sun, stand still over Gibeon;
And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.’
So the sun stood still,
And the moon stopped,
Till the people had revenge upon their enemies.
… So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.” (Joshua 10:12-13)
Both miracles demonstrate that God has absolute control over creation. He can pause time, extend a day, or reverse the movement of the sun if He so chooses.
Why Did God Grant This Sign?
To Confirm His Promise to Hezekiah
Hezekiah asked for a sign, and God graciously gave one. This assured Hezekiah that God’s word was true, strengthening his faith.
To Demonstrate His Power Over Time and Nature
God alone controls time, proving He is not bound by the laws of nature. This miracle reminded the people of Judah that God reigns over all creation.
As a Witness to the Nation
In 2 Chronicles 32:31, it is noted that envoys from Babylon later came to inquire about this event. This miracle was so extraordinary that news of it spread to distant lands. Unfortunately, Hezekiah later displayed his wealth to the Babylonians, which led to prophecy of their coming conquest of Judah (2 Kings 20:12-19).
My Final Thoughts
The day the sun moved backward was not just a physical miracle; it was a message from God—a declaration that He is in full control of time, life, and death. Hezekiah’s account reminds us that prayer is powerful and that God’s promises are sure.
But Hezekiah’s story also serves as a warning. While he saw great miracles and received incredible blessings, his later pride led to the prophecy of Babylon’s invasion. We must be careful that when God blesses us, we do not take His goodness for granted or become complacent.
The God who moved the sun backward is the same God we serve today. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). We can trust Him with our prayers, our future, and our very lives.
