Dial

"For the measurement of time, only once mentioned in the Bible," erected by Ahaz (2 Kings 20:11; Isa. 38:8). The Hebrew word "(ma'aloth) is rendered "steps" in Ex. 20:26, 1 Kings 10:19, and" "degrees in 2 Kings 20:9, 10, 11. The ma'aloth was probably" stairs on which the shadow of a column or obelisk placed on the top fell. The shadow would cover a greater or smaller number of "steps, according as the sun was low or high." "Probably the sun-dial was a Babylonian invention. Daniel at "Babylon (Dan. 3:6) is the first to make mention of the "hour."