2 Reyes 20:10

10 Y Ezequías respondió: Fácil cosa es que la sombra decline diez grados; pero, no que la sombra vuelva atrás diez grados

2 Reyes 20:10 Meaning and Commentary

And Hezekiah answered, it is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees,.... That is, it was comparatively so, otherwise to go down ten degrees at once would be extraordinary and miraculous; but that was more agreeable to the nature and course of it to go forward, and so the miracle would be less apparent:

nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees; which was directly contrary to its natural order and course, whereby the miracle would appear more clear and manifest: these degrees are by some said {x} to be half hours, and not full ones, since it is observed the sun shines not twenty full hours on any dial, unless under the pole; the sun is supposed to have been now at the fifth full hour; the sun was brought back five whole hours, then came forward five, then came forward two degrees, or one hour, to the sixth hour; which made sixteen; then it was six hours to sunset; so that day was prolonged twenty two hours: the Chinese {y} relate, that, in the time of Kingcungus, the planet Mars, for sake of the king, went back three degrees.

{x} Weemse's Christ. Synagog. l. 1. c. 6. sect. 6. p. 167. See his Exposition of the Judicial Laws, c. 25. p. 90. &c. {y} Martin. Sinic. Hist. l. 4. p. 138.

2 Reyes 20:10 In-Context

8 Y Ezequías había dicho a Isaías: ¿Qué señal tendré de que el SEÑOR me sanará, y que al tercer día subiré a la Casa del SEÑOR

9 Y respondió Isaías: Esta señal tendrás del SEÑOR, de que hará el SEÑOR esto que ha dicho: ¿Avanzará la sombra diez grados, o retrocederá diez grados

10 Y Ezequías respondió: Fácil cosa es que la sombra decline diez grados; pero, no que la sombra vuelva atrás diez grados

11 Entonces el profeta Isaías clamó al SEÑOR; e hizo volver la sombra por los grados que había descendido en el reloj de Acaz, diez grados atrás

12 En aquel tiempo Merodac-baladán hijo de Baladán, rey de Babilonia, envió letras y presentes a Ezequías, porque había oído que Ezequías había caído enfermo