PILLAR. Pillars are mentioned in Scripture as used 1. For monuments.—Thus Jacob set up the stone on which he had rested his head at Bethel for a pillar (raFn, Gen. xxviii. is); he erected a pillar as a memorial of the agreement between Laban and him (xxxi. 46, 51, 52) ; and he raised one as a memorial of God's appearing and promise to him (xxxv. 14). He erected a mortuary pillar also over Rachel's grave (xxxv. 20). To the class of monu mental pillars are to be referred the twelve stones raised by Moses at Sinai (Exod. xxiv. 4) and the stones set up by Joshua to commemorate the cross ing of Jordan by the Israelites (Josh. iv. 8, 9). Absalom's pillar was an erection of a more elaborate kind, but belonging to the same class (2 Sam. xviii. 18). [ABSALOM'S TOMB ; HAND.] 2. In building-.—Thus Moses was commanded to spread the veil of the tabernacle on four pillars (1:1711* 11) of shittim wood ; and the flat roofs of the houses were often supported by pillars (Judg. xvi.
25 ; I Kings vii. 2, 6). Pillars were also set up at doorways (1 Kings vii. 21).
3. As objects of idolatrous worship (Deut. xii. 3) ; and in several other places where the A. V. has image or statue, as Exod. xxiii. 24 ; Lev. xxvi. I ; Deut. vii. 5 ; xvi. 22, etc. Originally the idol was but a block of wood or stone ; subsequently it was shaped into a figure and adorned with carving and ornaments.
4. Figuratively or symbolically.—So the presence of God as the guide and strength of Israel during their march through the desert was represented by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night (Exod. xxxiii. 9, 10 ; Neh. ix. 12 ; Ps. xcix. 7). A pillar is the emblem of firmness and stead fastness (Jer. i. 18 ; Rev. iii. 12) ; and of that which sustains or supports (Gal. ii. 9 ; I Tim. iii. 15).—W. L. A.