Topical Bible: Dial: A Contrivance for Indicating Time by the Sun's Rays

◄ Dial: A Contrivance for Indicating Time by the Sun's Rays ►

Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the dial was an ancient instrument used to measure time by the position of the sun's rays. The most notable mention of a dial in the Bible is found in the account of King Hezekiah's miraculous sign, as recorded in the book of 2 Kings and the book of Isaiah.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Kings 20:8-11 : In this passage, King Hezekiah, who was ill, asked for a sign from the Lord to confirm his healing. The prophet Isaiah offered a miraculous sign involving the shadow on the dial of Ahaz. Hezekiah chose for the shadow to move backward ten steps, a supernatural event that demonstrated God's power over time and nature. The text states: "And Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, 'What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?' Isaiah replied, 'This will be the sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or shall it go back ten steps?' 'It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,' answered Hezekiah, 'but not for it to go back ten steps.' So Isaiah the prophet called out to the LORD, and He brought the shadow back the ten steps it had descended on the stairway of Ahaz."

2. Isaiah 38:7-8 : This passage parallels the account in 2 Kings, reiterating the miraculous nature of the sign given to Hezekiah. It emphasizes the divine intervention in altering the natural order: "This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: I will make the shadow cast by the sun go back the ten steps it has descended on the stairway of Ahaz. So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had descended."

Historical and Cultural Context:

The dial, often referred to as a sundial, was a common timekeeping device in ancient civilizations. It typically consisted of a flat plate and a gnomon, which cast a shadow on the plate. The position of the shadow indicated the time of day. The "dial of Ahaz" mentioned in the biblical text likely refers to a specific type of sundial or a series of steps that functioned similarly, possibly constructed during the reign of King Ahaz, Hezekiah's father.

The miraculous event of the shadow moving backward on the dial served as a powerful sign of God's sovereignty and His ability to control the natural world. It was a testament to His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and His willingness to intervene in the lives of His people.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the account of the dial in Hezekiah's account underscores the belief in God's omnipotence and His intimate involvement in human affairs. It illustrates the concept of divine signs as a means of communication and assurance to His people. The backward movement of the shadow defied natural laws, symbolizing God's authority over creation and His capacity to alter the course of events for His purposes.

The account of the dial also highlights the importance of faith and trust in God's promises. Hezekiah's request for a sign and God's response demonstrate the relationship between divine assurance and human belief. The event serves as a reminder of the miraculous ways in which God can work in the lives of those who seek Him earnestly.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 20:11
And Isaiah the prophet cried to the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 38:8
Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.
Nave's Topical Index