2 Kings 20:9–11: How could the shadow on the sundial move backward without violating the laws of physics?

Text and Historical Context

2 Kings 20:9–11 states:

“And Isaiah had replied, ‘This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?’ ‘It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,’ answered Hezekiah, ‘but not for it to go back ten steps.’ So the prophet Isaiah called out to the LORD, who brought the shadow back the ten steps it had descended on the stairway of Ahaz.”

This event takes place during the reign of King Hezekiah, a ruler of Judah known for his faithfulness in seeking the guidance of God in both personal illness (2 Kings 20:1–6) and national crises (2 Kings 19:1–20). The account of Hezekiah’s sickness and the miraculous sign of the sun’s shadow moving backward also appears in Isaiah 38:4–8. Ancient Near Eastern references, such as the Taylor Prism of the Assyrian king Sennacherib, corroborate some historical details about Hezekiah’s kingdom, suggesting the plausibility and reliability of the biblical narrative.

Clarifying the Nature of the Sundial

In many translations, including older English ones, the sign is referred to as a “sundial.” In the text above, the Hebrew refers to a “stairway” or “steps” of Ahaz, possibly a set of steps constructed to serve as a primitive clock by the sun’s movement of light and shadow. Archaeological findings, such as the discovery of various ancient timekeeping structures in the Near East, confirm the use of steps or staircases to mark the sun’s progress. Whether it was an official sundial made by King Ahaz or a specially designed stairway, the essential point is that the retreating shadow was immediately recognizable as miraculous.

God’s Sovereignty Over the Laws of Nature

The laws of physics describe consistent patterns and processes in the created universe. The assumption behind many biblical miracles is not that these laws are permanently abrogated, but that the Sustainer of those laws can produce extraordinary occurrences for specific divine purposes (cf. Job 9:7–10; Psalm 135:6). From a scriptural standpoint, God’s dominion over nature does not nullify the regularities we observe; rather, it shows that the Author of those laws can temporarily suspend or modulate them when He chooses to give a sign or demonstrate sovereignty.

Possible Scientific or Natural Explanations

Different attempts to explain the backward-moving shadow have been proposed, aiming to reconcile it with what we know of physics and astronomy. Some scholars suggest:

1. Local Atmospheric Phenomenon – Refraction or bending of light caused by unusual atmospheric conditions could cause the appearance of a reversed shadow on the steps. Phenomena such as heavy fog, mist, or shifting layers of air can produce refractive effects that momentarily alter the normal path of sunlight.

2. Geometric Shifts or Reflection – If the sunlight were reflected or blocked by a transient body (such as a cloud maneuvered in a particular orientation), it could create the illusion of the shadow moving in reverse. Occasionally, “glories” and other atmospheric optical effects can shift how shadows appear.

3. Localized Wobble – Though more dramatic and less commonly proposed, some have speculated that a localized or overall slowing, shifting, or variation in Earth’s rotation could occur supernaturally. This, of course, stretches known physics to an extreme. Yet from a miraculous standpoint, one might argue that if the Creator can set the Earth in motion, halting or adjusting it momentarily would be no more difficult.

In all these scenarios, the biblical text leaves no question that something exceptional took place. Whether by an incredible atmospheric refraction or by a more overt suspension of natural motion, the consistent message is that a divine agency orchestrated the event for a specific sign.

Miraculous Character of the Event

The text plainly reads: “So the prophet Isaiah called out to the LORD, who brought the shadow back the ten steps it had descended” (2 Kings 20:11). These words focus on God’s intervention rather than the mechanics behind it. This is reminiscent of other biblical miracles (e.g., Joshua 10:12–14) where the supernatural event fulfills a meaningful purpose: here, it was a sign to assure Hezekiah that he would recover and that God’s promise regarding the extension of his life and the defense of Jerusalem still stood.

Historical and Literary Consistency

From a manuscript perspective, the account in 2 Kings aligns well with parallel textual traditions found in Isaiah 38:4–8. The Dead Sea Scrolls, dating from roughly the third century BC to the first century AD, include large portions of the Book of Isaiah that match strongly with the Masoretic Text used in modern Bible translations. This consistency speaks to the reliable transmission of the passage through centuries. The reliability of these manuscripts underlines that the core details of the story, including the sign involving the sun’s shadow, have been accurately preserved.

Archaeological Corroborations

Although no direct archaeological artifact has been found that reads, “Hezekiah’s steps retreated by ten degrees,” the broader context of Hezekiah’s reign receives external support. For example, the Siloam Tunnel inscription in Jerusalem (dated to Hezekiah’s time) and references to Hezekiah’s fortifications in extrabiblical sources like Sennacherib’s Annals provide confirmation of Hezekiah’s historicity and his significant investments in Jerusalem. These discoveries strengthen the broader trustworthiness of the biblical record in this historical period.

Philosophical and Theological Insight

Beyond the historical and scientific angles, this miracle conveys that God is intimately involved with His creation, willing to demonstrate His oversight in tangible ways. While modern minds may fixate on whether such an event violates physics, the scriptural worldview emphasizes God’s supreme authority. If God exists outside the constraints of time and space, the question shifts from “How could this happen?” to “Is the One who established all physical laws capable of orchestrating an exception?” Scripture consistently posits the affirmative answer (Jeremiah 32:17).

Conclusion

The movement of the sun’s shadow backward on the stairway of Ahaz underscores a profound lesson about divine intervention rather than a detailed lesson in astronomy. Historical, archaeological, and textual evidence points to a real event in the life of King Hezekiah. Scientific explanations—ranging from atmospheric refraction to a supernatural alteration of celestial mechanics—have been proposed, but each, in its own way, highlights that an extraordinary sign took place through God’s power.

The passage ultimately teaches a deeper spiritual message: nature is subject to its Creator, and miraculous signs affirm the faithfulness of God’s promises (2 Kings 20:6). Far from nullifying the laws of physics, this event testifies to the One who instituted them—and who can bend them to fulfill His purposes.