Bible Dictionaries
Pillar

Holman Bible Dictionary

Stone monuments (Hebrew matstsebah ) or standing architectural structures (Hebrew amudim ). 1. Stones set up as memorials to persons. Jacob set up a pillar on Rachel's grave as a memorial to her (Genesis 35:20 ). Because Absalom had no son to carry on his name, he set up a pillar and carved his name in it (2 Samuel 18:18 ).

2. Shrines both to the Lord and to false gods. Graven images often were pillars set up as gods. God commanded Israel to break down such “images” (Hebrew matstseboth; Exodus 23:24 ). The Canaanites erected pillars at their places of worship, and probably influenced Israelite practice. Archaeologists found pillars, at Gezer. Jacob set up a pillar following his dream (Genesis 28:18 ) and again when God spoke to him at Bethel (Genesis 35:9-15 ) as memorials of God's revelation. Moses set up twelve pillars to commemorate the giving of the law to the tribes of Israel (Exodus 24:4 ).

3. As structural supports, pillars were used extensively. The tabernacle used pillars for the veil (Exodus 26:31-32 ), the courts (Exodus 27:9-15 ), and the gate (Exodus 27:16 ). The Temple in Jerusalem used pillars for its support (1 Kings 7:2-3 ), and the porch had pillars (1 Kings 7:6 ). Figuratively, pillars were believed to hold up heaven (Job 26:11 ) and earth (1 Samuel 2:8 ).

4. God led Israel through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21; compare Exodus 14:19-20 ). These pillars were symbols of God's presence with Israel as much as signs of where they were to go.

5. Solomon's Temple had two free-standing brass pillars (1 Kings 7:15 ). See Jachin and Boaz .

Mike Mitchell