Bible Dictionaries
Sundial
Holman Bible Dictionary
A device, generally a flat disk with numbers around its edge, used to measure time by the position of a shadow cast by the sun. The root of the Hebrew word translated, “dial,” (2 Kings 20:11; Isaiah 38:8 ) means, “to go up,” and usually refers to stairs. Most interpreters thus understand Ahab's dial to be a staircase on which a shadow went up as the day progressed. The sign involved the shadow's moving back down ten steps.
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Sundial'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hbd/s/sundial.html. 1991.