Bible Dictionaries
Dial
Easton's Bible Dictionary
For the measurement of time, only once mentioned in the Bible, erected by Ahaz (2 Kings 20:11; Isaiah 38:8 ). The Hebrew word (ma'aloth) is rendered "steps" in Ex Exodus 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 ( Daniel 3:6 ) is the first to make mention of the "hour."
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.
Bibliography Information
Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Dial'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/d/dial.html. 1897.