2 Kings 20:10

biblecontext

{ "verseID": "2 Kings.20.10", "source": "וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ יְחִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ נָקֵ֣ל לַצֵּ֔ל לִנְט֖וֹת עֶ֣שֶׂר מַעֲל֑וֹת לֹ֣א כִ֔י יָשׁ֥וּב הַצֵּ֛ל אֲחֹרַנִּ֖ית עֶ֥שֶׂר מַעֲלֽוֹת׃", "text": "*wə*-*yōʾmer* *Yəḥizqîyāhû*, *nāqēl* for-the-*ṣēl* to-*niṭôt* *ʿeśer* *maʿălôt*; no, but *yāšûb* the-*ṣēl* *ʾăḥōrannît* *ʿeśer* *maʿălôt*.", "grammar": { "*wə*-": "conjunction - and", "*yōʾmer*": "qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular - he said", "*Yəḥizqîyāhû*": "proper name - Hezekiah", "*nāqēl*": "adjective masculine singular - easy", "*ṣēl*": "masculine singular noun with definite article - the shadow", "*niṭôt*": "qal infinitive construct - to extend/stretch", "*ʿeśer*": "feminine numeral - ten", "*maʿălôt*": "feminine plural noun - steps/degrees", "*yāšûb*": "qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular - it shall return", "*ʾăḥōrannît*": "adverb - backward" }, "variants": { "*nāqēl*": "easy/simple/trivial thing", "*niṭôt*": "to extend/to stretch/to decline", "*ʾăḥōrannît*": "backward/back/in reverse" } }

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ יְחִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ נָקֵ֣ל לַצֵּ֔ל לִנְט֖וֹת עֶ֣שֶׂר מַעֲל֑וֹת לֹ֣א כִ֔י יָשׁ֥וּב הַצֵּ֛ל אֲחֹרַנִּ֖ית עֶ֥שֶׂר מַעֲלֽוֹת׃

Transliteration

wə-yōʾmer Yəḥizqîyāhû, nāqēl for-the-ṣēl to-niṭôt ʿeśer maʿălôt; no, but yāšûb the-ṣēl ʾăḥōrannît ʿeśer maʿălôt.

Grammar Details

• *wə*-: conjunction - and
• *yōʾmer*: qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular - he said
• *Yəḥizqîyāhû*: proper name - Hezekiah
• *nāqēl*: adjective masculine singular - easy
• *ṣēl*: masculine singular noun with definite article - the shadow
• *niṭôt*: qal infinitive construct - to extend/stretch
• *ʿeśer*: feminine numeral - ten
• *maʿălôt*: feminine plural noun - steps/degrees
• *yāšûb*: qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular - it shall return
• *ʾăḥōrannît*: adverb - backward

Word Meanings

• *nāqēl*: easy/simple/trivial thing
• *niṭôt*: to extend/to stretch/to decline
• *ʾăḥōrannît*: backward/back/in reverse

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  Hezekiah answered, "It is an easy thing for the shadow to move forward ten steps; rather, let it go back ten steps."

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  And Hezekiah answered, It is an easy thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees; no, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And Hezekiah{H3169} answered,{H559} It is a light thing{H7043} for the shadow{H6738} to decline{H5186} ten{H6235} steps:{H4609} nay, but let the shadow{H6738} return{H7725} backward{H322} ten{H6235} steps.{H4609}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And Hezekiah{H3169} answered{H559}{(H8799)}, It is a light thing{H7043}{(H8738)} for the shadow{H6738} to go down{H5186}{(H8800)} ten{H6235} degrees{H4609}: nay, but let the shadow{H6738} return{H7725}{(H8799)} backward{H322} ten{H6235} degrees{H4609}.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Ezechias sayde: It is an easy thinge for the shadowe to go ten degrees downewarde, yt is not my mynde: but that it go ten degrees backwarde.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadowe to passe forward ten degrees: not so then, but let ye shadow go backe ten degrees.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Hezekia aunswered: It is a light thing for the shadowe to go downe ten degrees, I desire not that: but let the shadowe go backwarde ten degrees.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to decline ten steps: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  And Hezekiah saith, `It hath been light for the shadow to incline ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow turn backward ten degrees.'

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to decline ten steps: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to decline ten steps: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten steps.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And Hezekiah said in answer, It is a simple thing for the shade to go forward; but let it go back ten degrees.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Hezekiah answered, "It is a light thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. Nay, but let the shadow return backward ten steps."

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Hezekiah answered,“It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps, but not for it to go back ten steps.”

Referenced Verses

• 2 Kgs 2:10 : 10 { "verseID": "2 Kings.2.10", "source": "וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הִקְשִׁ֣יתָ לִשְׁא֑וֹל אִם־תִּרְאֶ֨ה אֹתִ֜י לֻקָּ֤ח מֵֽאִתָּךְ֙ יְהִֽי־לְךָ֣ כֵ֔ן וְאִם־אַ֖יִן לֹ֥א יִהְיֶֽה׃", "text": "And *wayyō'mer*, *hiqšîtā* to-*liš'ôl*; if-*tir'eh* me *luqqāḥ* from-with-you *yəhî*-to-you so, and if-*'ayin* not *yihyeh*.", "grammar": { "*wayyō'mer*": "waw-consecutive + qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular of *'āmar* - and he said", "*hiqšîtā*": "hiphil perfect 2nd masculine singular of *qāšâ* - you have made hard/difficult", "*liš'ôl*": "preposition *lə* + qal infinitive construct of *šā'al* - to ask", "*tir'eh*": "qal imperfect 2nd masculine singular of *rā'â* - you will see", "*luqqāḥ*": "pual participle masculine singular of *lāqaḥ* - being taken", "*yəhî*": "qal jussive 3rd masculine singular of *hāyâ* - let it be", "*'ayin*": "particle of negation - not/nothing", "*yihyeh*": "qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular of *hāyâ* - it will be" }, "variants": { "*hiqšîtā* to-*liš'ôl*": "you have asked a difficult thing/you have made hard to ask", "*luqqāḥ*": "being taken/being received", "*yəhî*-to-you so": "may it be so for you/it shall be for you thus", "*'ayin*": "there is not/nothing/no", "*lō' yihyeh*": "it will not be/it shall not happen" } }
• 2 Kgs 3:18 : 18 { "verseID": "2Kings.3.18", "source": "וְנָקַ֥ל זֹ֖את בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וְנָתַ֥ן אֶת־מוֹאָ֖ב בְּיֶדְכֶֽם׃", "text": "*wĕ-nāqal* this in-eyes-of *YHWH*; *wĕ-nātan* *ʾet*-*Môʾāb* into-your-hand.", "grammar": { "*wĕ-nāqal*": "conjunction + niphal perfect, 3rd masculine singular - and it is trivial/light", "*zōʾt*": "feminine singular demonstrative - this", "*bĕ-ʿênê*": "preposition + construct plural noun - in the eyes of", "*YHWH*": "divine name - LORD/Yahweh", "*wĕ-nātan*": "conjunction + qal perfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he will give", "*ʾet*": "direct object marker", "*Môʾāb*": "proper name - Moab", "*bĕ-yedkem*": "preposition + feminine singular noun + 2nd masculine plural suffix - into your hand" }, "variants": { "*wĕ-nāqal*": "is a light thing/is trivial/is easy", "*bĕ-ʿênê*": "in the eyes of/in the sight of/from the perspective of", "*wĕ-nātan*": "he will give/deliver/hand over" } }
• Isa 49:6 : 6 { "verseID": "Isaiah.49.6", "source": "וַיֹּ֗אמֶר נָקֵ֨ל מִֽהְיוֹתְךָ֥ לִי֙ עֶ֔בֶד לְהָקִים֙ אֶת־שִׁבְטֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֔ב *ונצירי **וּנְצוּרֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְהָשִׁ֑יב וּנְתַתִּ֙יךָ֙ לְא֣וֹר גּוֹיִ֔ם לִֽהְי֥וֹת יְשׁוּעָתִ֖י עַד־קְצֵ֥ה הָאָֽרֶץ׃ ס", "text": "*Wayyōʾmer* *nāqēl* from-being-you to-me *ʿeḇed* to-*hāqîm* *ʾeṯ*-*šiḇṭê* *Yaʿăqōḇ* and-*nəṣûrê* *Yiśrāʾēl* to-*hāšîḇ*; *ûnəṯattîḵā* for-*ʾôr* *gôyim*, to-*hiyôṯ* *yəšûʿāṯî* until-end *hāʾāreṣ*.", "grammar": { "*Wayyōʾmer*": "waw consecutive + verb, qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he said", "*nāqēl*": "adjective, masculine singular - too light/trifling", "*ʿeḇed*": "noun, masculine singular - servant/slave", "*hāqîm*": "verb, hiphil infinitive construct - to raise up/establish", "*ʾeṯ*": "direct object marker", "*šiḇṭê*": "noun, masculine plural construct - tribes of", "*Yaʿăqōḇ*": "proper noun - Jacob", "*nəṣûrê*": "passive participle, qal plural construct - preserved ones of", "*Yiśrāʾēl*": "proper noun - Israel", "*hāšîḇ*": "verb, hiphil infinitive construct - to return/restore", "*ûnəṯattîḵā*": "conjunction + verb, qal perfect, 1st singular + 2nd masculine singular suffix - and I will give you/make you", "*ʾôr*": "noun, masculine singular - light", "*gôyim*": "noun, masculine plural - nations/peoples", "*hiyôṯ*": "verb, qal infinitive construct - to be", "*yəšûʿāṯî*": "noun, feminine singular + 1st singular suffix - my salvation", "*hāʾāreṣ*": "article + noun, feminine singular - the earth/land" }, "variants": { "*nāqēl*": "too light/trifling/insignificant", "*hāqîm*": "to raise up/to establish/to restore", "*šiḇṭê*": "tribes of/rods of/clans of", "*nəṣûrê*": "preserved ones/protected ones/survivors", "*hāšîḇ*": "to return/to restore/to bring back", "*ʾôr*": "light/illumination/daybreak", "*yəšûʿāṯî*": "my salvation/my deliverance/my victory" } }
• Mark 9:28-29 : 28 { "verseID": "Mark.9.28", "source": "Καὶ εἰσελθόντα αὐτὸν εἰς οἶκον, οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν κατʼ ἰδίαν, ὅτι Ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν ἐκβαλεῖν αὐτό;", "text": "And *eiselthonta* him into *oikon*, the *mathētai* of him *epērōtōn* him *kat'* *idian*, that We *ouk* *ēdynēthēmen* *ekbalein* it?", "grammar": { "*eiselthonta*": "aorist, active, participle, accusative, masculine, singular - having entered", "*oikon*": "accusative, masculine, singular - house", "*mathētai*": "nominative, masculine, plural - disciples", "*epērōtōn*": "imperfect, active, indicative, 3rd person, plural - were asking", "*kat'*": "preposition - according to/by", "*idian*": "accusative, feminine, singular - private/one's own", "*ouk*": "negative particle - not", "*ēdynēthēmen*": "aorist, passive, indicative, 1st person, plural - we were able", "*ekbalein*": "aorist, active, infinitive - to cast out" }, "variants": { "*eiselthonta*": "having entered/gone into", "*oikon*": "house/dwelling/home", "*mathētai*": "disciples/students/followers", "*epērōtōn*": "were asking/questioning (continuous action)", "*kat' idian*": "privately/alone/in private", "*ēdynēthēmen*": "we were able/could/had power", "*ekbalein*": "to cast out/expel/drive out" } } 29 { "verseID": "Mark.9.29", "source": "Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, Τοῦτο τὸ γένος ἐν οὐδενὶ δύναται ἐξελθεῖν, εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ νηστείᾳ.", "text": "And *eipen* to them, This the *genos* in *oudeni* *dynatai* *exelthein*, if not in *proseuchē* and *nēsteia*.", "grammar": { "*eipen*": "aorist, active, indicative, 3rd person, singular - he said", "*genos*": "nominative, neuter, singular - kind/type", "*oudeni*": "dative, neuter, singular - nothing/no one", "*dynatai*": "present, middle/passive, indicative, 3rd person, singular - is able", "*exelthein*": "aorist, active, infinitive - to go out", "*proseuchē*": "dative, feminine, singular - prayer", "*nēsteia*": "dative, feminine, singular - fasting" }, "variants": { "*genos*": "kind/type/sort/species", "*oudeni*": "nothing/no one/by no means", "*dynatai*": "is able/can/has power", "*exelthein*": "to go out/come out/depart", "*proseuchē*": "prayer/petition", "*nēsteia*": "fasting/abstinence from food" } }
• John 14:12 : 12 { "verseID": "John.14.12", "source": "Ἀμὴν, ἀμὴν, λέγω ὑμῖν, Ὁ πιστεύων εἰς ἐμέ, τὰ ἔργα ἃ ἐγὼ ποιῶ κἀκεῖνος ποιήσει· καὶ μείζονα τούτων ποιήσει· ὅτι ἐγὼ πρὸς τὸν Πατέρα μου πορεύομαι.", "text": "*Amēn, amēn, legō hymin*, The one *pisteuōn* into *eme*, the *erga ha egō poiō kakeinos poiēsei*; and *meizona toutōn poiēsei*; *hoti egō pros ton Patera mou poreuomai*.", "grammar": { "*Amēn*": "Hebrew term of strong affirmation - truly/verily", "*legō*": "present indicative active, 1st person singular - I say", "*hymin*": "dative, 2nd person plural pronoun - to you", "*pisteuōn*": "present participle active, nominative, masculine, singular - believing", "*eme*": "accusative, 1st person singular emphatic pronoun - me", "*erga*": "accusative, neuter, plural - works", "*ha*": "accusative, neuter, plural relative pronoun - which", "*egō*": "nominative, 1st person singular pronoun - I", "*poiō*": "present indicative active, 1st person singular - I do/make", "*kakeinos*": "contraction of *kai ekeinos* - and that one", "*poiēsei*": "future indicative active, 3rd person singular - he will do", "*meizona*": "accusative, neuter, plural comparative - greater things", "*toutōn*": "genitive, neuter, plural demonstrative pronoun - than these", "*hoti*": "conjunction - because", "*pros ton Patera*": "preposition + accusative - to the Father", "*mou*": "genitive, 1st person singular pronoun - my/of me", "*poreuomai*": "present indicative middle, 1st person singular - I go/am going" }, "variants": { "*Amēn*": "truly/verily/certainly", "*erga*": "works/deeds/actions", "*meizona*": "greater/larger/more important" } }