PILLAR (pfl'ler), (Het). mats-tsay-baw', "pillar"), is more frequently translated "image" or "statue" (Deut. vii:5; xii: 3; xvi:22; Lev. xxvil, etc.).
It denotes in general a column or supporter. A pillar of cloud, a pillar of fire, a pillar of smoke, signify a cloud, a fire, a smoke, which, rising up toward heaven, forms an irregular col umn. The pillars of heaven (Job xxvi:t 1) and the pillars of the earth (Job ix:6; Ps. lxxv :3) are metaphorical expressions, by which the heavens and the earth are compared to an edifice raised by the hand of God, and founded upon its basis or foundation. This appears from the pas sage in Job (xxxviii :4-6) : "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?" Figurative. (1) The church is called the "pillar and ground of truth;" in and by her are exhibited and maintained the truths of God, as the edicts of civil rulers were wont to be held up to public view on the pillars to which they were affixed (1 Tim. iii :15) ; or the "pillar and ground". of truth may be the mystery of godliness men tioned in ver. 16. (2) Saints and ministers, es pecially more noted ones, are like "pillars;" they are fixed on the foundations of divine truth; they have their affections bent heavenward, and they greatly tend to support the churches and nations where they live (Cant. iii :to ; Gal. ii :9). (3) Saints
are like the "pillars of smoke" which towered from the brazen or golden altar ; amidst manifold storms they ascend towards God in holy affections and exercises—prayer, praise, and thanksgiving (Cant. iii :6). (4) They are as "pillars in the tem ple of God;" to the honor of his grace they are fixed in his church and new-covenant state, and are at last unalterably fixed in their celestial hap piness (Rev. iii :12). (5) Magistrates, and funda mental rulers of government are "pillars" which connect and support the structure of a state; and which, when removed, the ruin of the kingdom or nation quickly ensues (Ps. lxxv :3). (6) When the Lord sent Jeremiah to preach to the nations, he said to him (Jer. i :18), "Behold, I have made thee this day a defended city, and an iron pillar."