Bible Encyclopedias
Degree

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

is the rendering in the A. V. of one Heb. and one, Gr. term (besides being employed as an adjunct in the phrases "man of high [or low] degree," where it has no [other] correspondent in the original) מִעֲלָה, maalah' (2 Kings 20:9-11 Isaiah 38:8, referring to the graduated scale of the dial [q.v.] of Ahaz, and in the titles of the Psalms entitled "Song of Degrees" [see below]; a step, as elsewhere generally rendered); βαθμός (only 1 Timothy 3:13, graduation or promotion, etc. of a deacon [q.v.] to a higher office; or perhaps rather a spiritual stand-point or condition, see Alford, in loc.), a step (as of a staircase or door, Sirach 6:36). (See STAIRS).

Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Degree'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​d/degree.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.