number there as that the city would fall under their influence. This might
be in the time of the Ptolemies. (See ON.)
- IRON Tubal-Cain is the first-mentioned worker in iron (Genesis 4:22).
The Egyptians wrought it at Sinai before the Exodus. David prepared it in
great abundance for the temple (1 Chronicles 22:3: 29:7). The merchants of
Dan and Javan brought it to the market of Tyre (Ezekiel 27:19). Various
instruments are mentioned as made of iron (Deuteronomy 27:5; 19:5;
Joshua 17:16, 18; 1 Samuel 17:7; 2 Samuel 12:31; 2 Kings 6:5, 6; 1
Chronicles 22:3; Isaiah 10:34).
Figuratively, a yoke of iron (Deuteronomy 28:48) denotes hard service; a
rod of iron (Psalm 2:9), a stern government; a pillar of iron (Jeremiah 1:18),
a strong support; a furnace of iron (Deuteronomy 4:20), severe labour; a
bar of iron (Job 40:18), strength; fetters of iron (Psalm 107:10), affliction;
giving silver for iron (Isaiah 60:17), prosperity.
- IRRIGATION As streams were few in Palestine, water was generally
stored up in winter in reservoirs, and distributed through gardens in
numerous rills, which could easily be turned or diverted by the foot
(Deuteronomy 11:10).
For purposes of irrigation, water was raised from streams or pools by
water-wheels, or by a shaduf, commonly used on the banks of the Nile to
the present day.
- ISAAC laughter. (1) Israel, or the kingdom of the ten tribes (Amos 7:9,
16).
(2.) The only son of Abraham by Sarah. He was the longest lived of the
three patriarchs (Genesis 21:1-3). He was circumcised when eight days old
(4-7); and when he was probably two years old a great feast was held in
connection with his being weaned.
The next memorable event in his life is that connected with the command
of God given to Abraham to offer him up as a sacrifice on a mountain in
the land of Moriah (Genesis 22). (See ABRAHAM.) When he was forty
years of age Rebekah was chosen for his wife (Genesis 24). After the death
and burial of his father he took up his residence at Beer-lahai-roi (25:7-11),
where his two sons, Esau and Jacob, were born (21-26), the former of
whom seems to have been his favourite son (27,28).