Dict: easton - Dial

easton:

Dial @ for the measurement of time, only once mentioned in the Bible, erected by Ahaz ( kjv@2Kings:20:11; kjv@Isaiah:38:8). The Hebrew word (ma'aloth) is rendered "steps" in kjv@Exodus:20:26, kjvKings:10:19, and "degrees" in kjv@2Kings: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 kjv@Daniel:3:6) is the first to make mention of the "hour."