dial Summary and Overview

for the measurement of time, only once mentioned in the Bible, erected by Ahaz (2 Kings 20:11; Isa. 38:8). The Hebrew word (ma'aloth) is rendered "steps" in Ex. 20:26, 1 Kings 10:19, and "degrees" in 2 Kings 20:9, 10, 11. The "ma'aloth" was probably stairs on which the shadow of a column or obelisk placed on the top fell. The shadow would cover a greater or smaller number of steps, according as the sun was low or high. Probably the sun-dial was a Babylonian invention. Daniel at Babylon (Dan. 3:6) is the first to make mention of the "hour."

"An instrument for showing the time of day from the shadow of a style or gnomon on a graduated arc or surface; "rendered" steps" in Authorized Version, #Ex 20:26; 2Ki 10:19| and "degrees," #2Ki 20:9,10,11; Isa 38:8| where to give a consistent rendering we should read with the margin the "degrees" rather than the "dial" of Ahaz. It is probable that the dial of Ahaz was really a series of steps or stairs, and that the shadow (Perhaps of some column or obelisk on the top) fell on a greater or smaller number of them according as the sun was low or high. The terrace of a palace might easily be thus ornamented.

DI'AL , an instrument employed to measure time, or to determine the apparent progress of the sun by the shadow which the gnomon, or point in the centre of a graduated arc, casts. The "dial of Ahaz" is the only one mentioned in the Bible. 2 Kgs 20:11; Isa 38:8. The sign of Hezekiah's recovery was that the shadow of the sun went ten degrees backward upon it. The best interpretation of the passage is to suppose that the dial, like those discovered in Babylonia, "was a series of Steps or terraces on which an upright pole cast its shadow." It was therefore probably modelled after those in familiar use with the ally of Ahaz, Tiglath-pileser. The fact that ambassadors came from Babylon to inquire of the wonder proves that the fame thereof had reached that city. It is a question of considerable importance whether this miracle was wrought upon the rays of the sun, by which they were deflected in an extraordinary manner, so as to produce this retrograde motion of the shadow, while the sun itself seemed to go on its way, or whether the motion of the earth or the position of the sun was so changed as to produce this result. It was this miracle to which reference is made in 2 Chr 32:31.

See Sundial.