PILLAR, PLAIN OF THE . In Judges 9:6 we read that the men of Shechem made Abimelech king ‘by the plain (AV [Note: Authorized Version.]; RV [Note: Revised Version.] ‘oak,’ RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ‘terebinth’) of the pillar.’ The correct translation is undoubtedly ‘ the terebinth of the pillar ,’ the meaning being the sanctuary of Shechem. The ‘pillar’ refers to the sacred stone, originally a fetish, which was often found in holy places along with the sacred tree (see preced. article).
W. F. Boyd.