II Kings 20: 9-11 – “…shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? 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. And…the Lord…brought the shadow ten degrees backward…”
The word “degrees” is more literally translated as “steps” in these verses. If the royal palace was placed southeast of the Temple, it’s possible that it was some part of the Temple buildings that had cast its shadow down the stairway in full view of the dying king as he lay in his chamber. In asking for a sign, Hezekiah was showing his faith in God. And, his choice of the seemingly impossible sign of the “shadow returning backward ten degrees [steps],” was most fitting, as he lay dying and was already entering into the shadow of death. “Dial” (ma’aloth) is usually translated as “degrees,” “steps,” or “stairs.”
Jamieson-Faucet-Brown: The retrogression of the sun’s shadow on the dial was miraculously accomplished by the omnipotent power of God; but the phenomenon was temporary, local, confined to the notice, and intended for the satisfaction, only of Hezekiah and his court.
In the restoration of the second temple by Herod, fifteen steps led from the Court of the Women to the Court of Israel, and on these steps the Levites, during the Feast of Tabernacles, were accustomed to stand in order to sing the fifteen “Songs of Degrees” (Psalms 120 through 134), also known as the “Psalms of Ascent” – reminders of faith, forgiveness, family, children, peace, hope, brotherhood, sacrifice, and right attitudes toward God and people. Some think that Hezekiah himself was the compiler of these fifteen “Songs of the Steps,” in thankfulness for his fifteen years of added life (Dr. John Lightfoot: “The number of these Psalms (fifteen)…corresponds with the number of the years (fifteen), which were added to Hezekiah’s life: while the number written by himself (ten) corresponds with the number of ‘the degrees’ by which the ‘shadow of the sun went backward.’”
Isa 38:20 – “The Lord was ready to save me [Hezekiah]: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the Lord.
Matthew Henry: This work of wonder shows the power of God in heaven as well as on earth, the great notice he takes of prayer, and the great favour he bears to his chosen.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;…” (Ps 23: 4).
Bible citation #3 – Isa 25:8 – “He will swallow up death in victory;…”
(Sources – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia – Dial of Ahaz; Connecting the Bible and its Lands to Life; and LevendWater.org).