Dial
Summary
An instrument for measuring time by the sun's shadow, notably the 'dial of Ahaz' on which God caused the shadow to go backward ten degrees as a sign to Hezekiah.
☩The Sign for Hezekiah
When Hezekiah was sick unto death and prayed for recovery, God granted him fifteen additional years and offered a sign: the shadow on the dial of Ahaz would go backward ten degrees. Isaiah asked whether the shadow should go forward or backward; Hezekiah chose backward, since advancing was natural. The miracle confirmed God's promise of healing and deliverance.
☩Nature of the Dial
The 'dial' was probably a series of steps or stairs on which the shadow of some column or obelisk fell. The Hebrew word ma'aloth means 'steps' or 'degrees.' Such sundials were Babylonian in origin; Ahaz, who copied the altar at Damascus, likely also adopted this time-measuring device. The miracle's local nature is suggested by the Babylonians' later inquiry about 'the wonder that was done in the land.'
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Dial," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Dial," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).