Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the measurement and understanding of time were crucial for daily life, religious observance, and historical record-keeping. One of the methods mentioned in the Bible for ascertaining the time of day is the use of a sundial, referred to as a "dial" in the scriptures.The most notable biblical reference to a sundial is found in the account of King Hezekiah. In 2 Kings 20:8-11 and Isaiah 38:7-8, the account is recounted where God provides a miraculous sign to Hezekiah, confirming His promise of healing. Hezekiah, having been gravely ill, is promised recovery by the prophet Isaiah. As a sign of this promise, Hezekiah requests that the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz move backward ten steps. The Berean Standard Bible records this event as follows: 2 Kings 20:9-11 : "And 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 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." This miraculous event not only served as a sign of divine intervention but also highlights the use of the sundial as a timekeeping device in ancient Judah. The "stairway of Ahaz" is understood to be a form of sundial, possibly a series of steps or a constructed dial where the position of the shadow indicated the time of day. The use of sundials in the ancient Near East was a common practice, as they provided a practical means of measuring time based on the sun's position. The movement of the shadow across a marked surface allowed people to divide the day into segments, facilitating the organization of daily activities and religious observances. In the broader biblical context, the concept of time is deeply intertwined with God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His divine plan. The ability to measure time, as seen with the sundial, reflects humanity's desire to understand and order the world according to God's creation. The sundial of Ahaz, therefore, not only served a practical purpose but also became a symbol of God's power to alter the natural order for His purposes. The account of Hezekiah's sundial remains a testament to the biblical theme of God's control over time and history, demonstrating His ability to intervene in the natural world to fulfill His promises to His people. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 20:11And 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. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Historical Books. Accidental Causes of Corruption. The Seven Trumpets. The Allies of the Tempter. Chaldaean Civilization The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. ) Causes of Corruption Chiefly Intentional. Resources What is the National Day of Prayer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the day of the Lord? | GotQuestions.org What is the Day-Age Theory? | GotQuestions.org Day: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Day of Gladness Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Day of Good Tidings Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Day Which the Lord Has Made Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Good Day Day: A Time of Festivity Called A: Solemn Day Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Adversity Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Anger Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Calamity Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Darkness Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Destruction Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Evil Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Slaughter Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of The Lord Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Trouble Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Vengeance Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Visitation Day: A Time of Judgment Called a Day of Wrath Day: A Time of Mercy Called a Day of God's Power Day: A Time of Mercy Called a Day of Redemption Day: A Time of Mercy Called a Day of Salvation Day: A Time of Mercy Called a Day of Visitation Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Break of Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Decline of Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Evening Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Morning Day: Artificial, Divided Into: Noon Day: Artificial, the Time of the Sun's Continuance Above The Day: Day's Journey, Eighteen or Twenty Miles Day: Divided Into Twelve Hours Day: Judgment: A Figure of Spiritual Illumination Day: Judgment: Called the Day of the Lord Day: Later Subdivided Into Twelve Hours Day: Made for the Glory of God Day: Natural, from Evening to Evening Day: Proclaims the Glory of God Day: Sabbath Day's Journey, About Two-Thousand Paces Day: Six Working Days Ordained Day: Sometimes Divided Into Four Parts Day: Succession of, Secured by Covenant Day: Th Sixth Day of the Week Called Preparation Day Day: The First Day of the Week Called the Lord's Day Day: Time of, Ascertained by the Dial Day: Times of Adversity Called Day of the Lord Related Terms Preparation-day (1 Occurrence) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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