2 Kings 20:9

Authorized King James Version

And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

יְשַׁעְיָ֗הוּ

H3470

And Isaiah

jeshajah, the name of seven israelites

זֶה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לְּךָ֤

הָאוֹת֙

H226

This sign

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

מֵאֵ֣ת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

shalt thou have of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּ֚י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יַֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה

H6213

will do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#10

יְהוָ֔ה

H3068

shalt thou have of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#11

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#12

הַדָּבָ֖ר

H1697

the thing

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#13

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#14

דִּבֵּ֑ר

H1696

that he hath spoken

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#15

הָלַ֤ךְ

H1980

go forward

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#16

הַצֵּל֙

H6738

shall the shadow

shade, whether literal or figurative

#17

עֶ֥שֶׂר

H6235

ten

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

#18

מַֽעֲלֽוֹת׃

H4609

degrees

elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o

#19

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#20

יָשׁ֖וּב

H7725

or go back

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#21

עֶ֥שֶׂר

H6235

ten

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

#22

מַֽעֲלֽוֹת׃

H4609

degrees

elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Kings Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does this verse's literary context within 2 Kings chapter 20 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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