pillar

pillar
In the OT both memorials and also the focus for religious devotion. Made of stone or wood, their capitals would often be elaborately decorated. Jacob erected a pillar at Rachel's grave (Gen. 35:20). Moses set up twelve [[➝ Twelve, the]] pillars (one for each tribe) round an altar in the wilderness (Exod. 24:4). Joshua caused twelve ‘stones’ (obelisks?) to be erected in the Jordan, and later removed to Gilgal (Josh. 4:9, 20). Because of the association of pillars with the agricultural fertility religion of the Baals, the prophets condemned cultic pillars (Hos. 10:2; Mic. 5:13), but the two free-standing pillars outside the Temple, called Jachin and Boaz, certainly had a religious significance, unlike the pillars of a Greek temple, which were integrated with the structure and had a strong aesthetic appeal.
Symbolically, Hebrews in Egypt are a pillar (Isa. 19:19), as are James, Peter, and John [[➝ John the Apostle]] in Paul's snide description (Gal. 2:9). The Church is a pillar of truth (1 Tim. 3:15).

Dictionary of the Bible.

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  • PILLAR — (Heb. עַמּוּד; from the root ʿmd, to stand ), a column that stands perpendicular to the ground and generally serves to support the beams of a roof. In this article no distinction will be made between pillar, column, and post. The pillar is used… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Pillar — Пиллар Основная информация …   Википедия

  • Pillar — Pil lar, n. [OE. pilerF. pilier, LL. pilare, pilarium, pilarius, fr. L. pila a pillar. See {Pile} a heap.] 1. The general and popular term for a firm, upright, insulated support for a superstructure; a pier, column, or post; also, a column or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pillar — steht für Pillar, eine bestimmte Ausführung der Litfaßsäule Geografisches Pillar (Lake District), Berg in England Rock and Pillar Range, Bruchschollengebirge in Neuseeland weiteres Pillar (Band), Band Pillar Car Protector, Kfz Schutzvorrichtung… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • pillar — pillar, column, pilaster denote a structure that rises high from a base or foundation, is slender in comparison with its width, and usually has a monolithic and decorative appearance. Pillar is the general term and applies to any such structure… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • pillar — ► NOUN 1) a tall vertical structure used as a support for a building or as an ornament. 2) a person or thing providing reliable support. ● from pillar to post Cf. ↑from pillar to post DERIVATIVES pillared adjective …   English terms dictionary

  • Pillar — Pil lar, a. (Mach.) Having a support in the form of a pillar, instead of legs; as, a pillar drill. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pillar I — pillar I, pillar II, pillar III See Basel II. American Banker Glossary …   Financial and business terms

  • pillar II — pillar I, pillar II, pillar III See Basel II. American Banker Glossary …   Financial and business terms

  • pillar — (n.) early 13c., from O.Fr. piler, from M.L. pilare, from L. pila pillar, stone barrier. Figurative sense of prop or support of an institution or community is first recorded early 14c. Phrase pillar to post is c.1600, originally of tennis, exact… …   Etymology dictionary

  • pillar — [pil′ər] n. [ME piler < OFr < VL * pilare < L pila, column] 1. a long, slender, vertical structure used to support a superstructure; column 2. such a column standing alone as a monument 3. anything like a pillar in form or function, as a …   English World dictionary

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