Difference between revisions of "Dial"

<p> &nbsp;ma'alot , "degrees" or "steps" (&nbsp;Isaiah 38:8). The sun dial arid the division of the day into 12 hours were [[Babylonian]] inventions. As [[Ahaz]] copied the altar at [[Damascus]] (&nbsp;2 Kings 16:7; &nbsp;2 Kings 16:10) so he probably copied the sun dial 700 B.C. But the division into 12 hours is not implied in the Old [[Testament]] day. (See &nbsp;DAY.) The "degrees" were "steps" ascending to his palace (Josephus). The shadow of a column or obelisk fell on a greater or less number of steps according as the sun was high or low. </p> <p> The dial was of such a size and so placed that Hezekiah, when convalescent, could witness the miracle from his chamber; probably "in the middle court," the point where Isaiah turned back to announce to [[Hezekiah]] God's answer to his prayer (&nbsp;2 Kings 20:4; &nbsp;2 Kings 20:9; &nbsp;Isaiah 38:21-22). Ahaz' intimacy with Tiglath Pileser would naturally lead the "princes of [[Babylon]] to inquire of the wonder done in the land," which shows that the miracle of the recession of the shadow on the dial was local, perhaps produced by divinely ordered refraction, a cloud denser than the air being interposed between the gnomon and the "degrees" or "dial." </p>

<p> &nbsp;Dial. It was on the "dial of Ahaz" that the miraculous sign given to Hezekiah for bis recovery from sickness showed itself. &nbsp;2 Kings 20:8-11; &nbsp;Isaiah 38:7-8. It is uncertain what the "dial" of Ahaz was. The word so translated is elsewhere rendered "degrees," "steps," &nbsp;e.g., &nbsp;Exodus 20:26. Some have imagined it a hemispherical cavity in a horizontal square stone, provided with a gnomon or index In the middle, the shadow of which fell on different lines cut in the hollow surface; some think that it was a vertical index surrounded by twelve concentric circles; while some, with perhaps greater probability, believe it an obelisk-like pillar, set up in an open elevated place, with encircling steps, on which the shadow fell. Ahaz appears to have had a taste for curious things, &nbsp;2 Kings 16:10, and might have borrowed this dial from Assyria. The inquiry from Babylon in regard to it would seem to imply that the miracle was heard of, but not witnessed there. &nbsp;2 Chronicles 32:31. </p>

<p> &nbsp;Dial. &nbsp;An instrument for showing the time of day from the shadow of a style or Gnomon&nbsp; on a graduated arc or surface; rendered "steps" in Authorized Version, &nbsp;Exodus 20:26; &nbsp;2 Kings 10:19, and "degrees," &nbsp;2 Kings 20:9-11; &nbsp;Isaiah 38:8, where, to give a consistent rendering, we should read with the margin the "degrees" rather than the "dial" of Ahaz. </p> <p> 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. </p>

<p> &nbsp;(1):&nbsp; (n.) A miner's compass. </p> <p> &nbsp;(2):&nbsp; (n.) The graduated face of a timepiece, on which the time of day is shown by pointers or hands. </p> <p> &nbsp;(3):&nbsp; (n.) An instrument, formerly much used for showing the time of day from the shadow of a style or gnomon on a graduated arc or surface; esp., a sundial; but there are lunar and astral dials. The style or gnomon is usually parallel to the earth's axis, but the dial plate may be either horizontal or vertical. </p> <p> &nbsp;(4):&nbsp; (v. t.) To measure with a dial. </p> <p> &nbsp;(5):&nbsp; (v. t.) To survey with a dial. </p>

<p> &nbsp;Bibliography InformationMcClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Dial'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and [[Ecclesiastical]] Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/d/dial.html. [[Harper]] & Brothers. New York. 1870. </p>