Isaiah 38:8Behold, I will cause the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down on the sundial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps. So the sun returned ten steps on the sundial on which it had gone down."'"
The setting
Jerusalem, 701 BC. In the royal palace courtyard, the shadow on King Ahaz's sundial moves backward ten steps as Isaiah and Hezekiah watch. The impossible becomes visible. Modern-day Jerusalem, Israel.
The emotion here: awe at recording the impossible while it happened
The original word
šāḇ (שָׁב) — to turn back, return to a previous state
Why it matters
Ahaz's sundial was likely a step-type sundial with graduated stone steps where shadows marked time
Read with care
What most readers miss in Isaiah 38:8
This miracle gave Hezekiah literally more TIME - the shadow moving backward symbolized his life being extended
Common misconceptionSome try to explain this scientifically, but the text emphasizes it as a miraculous sign specifically for Hezekiah, not a natural phenomenon.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Isaiah 38:8
Bible Genome reading
Isaiah 38:8 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Isaiah 38:8 comes from the book of Isaiah, written during the Divided Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Yahweh. The dominant emotion in this verse is worship, with a comfort power of 60% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the prophecy genre of biblical literature. Key themes include divine power, miraculous signs, time reversal. Notable phrases: shadow on the sundial; return backward ten steps. This verse contains a promise of God. This verse contains prophecy.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same worship
“Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one:”
— Deuteronomy 6:4
“and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”
— Deuteronomy 6:5
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:”
— Ecclesiastes 3:1
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”
— John 14:6
“Jesus said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM."”
— John 8:58
Your reflection
What does Isaiah 38:8 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "worship"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.