Excavations at Lachish are still going on, and among other discoveries is
that of an iron blast-furnace, with slag and ashes, which is supposed to
have existed B.C. 1500. If the theories of experts are correct, the use of the
hot-air blast instead of cold air (an improvement in iron manufacture
patented by Neilson in 1828) was known fifteen hundred years before
Christ. (See FURNACE.)
- LADDER occurs only once, in the account of Jacob’s vision (Genesis
28:12). - LAISH a lion. (1.) A city of the Sidonians, in the extreme north of
Palestine (Judges 18:7, 14); called also Leshem (Joshua 19:47) and Dan
(Judges 18:7, 29; Jeremiah 8:16). It lay near the sources of the Jordan,
about 4 miles from Paneas. The restless and warlike tribe of Dan (q.v.),
looking out for larger possessions, invaded this country and took Laish
with its territory. It is identified with the ruin Tell-el-Kady, “the mound of
the judge,” to the north of the Waters of Merom (Joshua 11:5).
(2.) A place mentioned in Isaiah 10:30. It has been supposed to be the
modern el-Isawiyeh, about a mile north-east of Jerusalem.
(3.) The father of Phalti (1 Samuel 25:44).
- LAMA (Matthew 27:46), a Hebrew word meaning why, quoted from
Psalm 22:1. - LAMB (1.) Hebrews kebes, a male lamb from the first to the third year.
Offered daily at the morning and the evening sacrifice (Exodus 29:38-42),
on the Sabbath day (Numbers 28:9), at the feast of the New Moon
(28:11), of Trumpets (29:2), of Tabernacles (13-40), of Pentecost
(Leviticus 23:18-20), and of the Passover (Exodus 12:5), and on many
other occasions (1 Chronicles 29:21; 2 Chronicles 29:21; Leviticus 9:3;
14:10-25).
(2.) Hebrews taleh, a young sucking lamb (1 Samuel 7:9; Isaiah 65:25). In
the symbolical language of Scripture the lamb is the type of meekness and
innocence (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25; Luke 10:3; John 21:15).
The lamb was a symbol of Christ (Genesis 4:4; Exodus 12:3; 29:38; Isaiah
16:1; 53:7; John 1:36; Revelation 13:8).