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Bible Dictionaries
Pillar
Holman Bible Dictionary
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
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Pillar'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hbd/​p/pillar.html. 1991.