Topical Encyclopedia The "Plain of The Pillar" is a term that does not directly appear in the biblical text but can be associated with significant events and locations where pillars or memorial stones were erected in the biblical narrative. These pillars often served as markers of divine encounters, covenants, or significant events in the history of the Israelites.Jacob's Pillar at Bethel One of the most notable instances of a pillar in the Bible is found in the account of Jacob. After his dream of a ladder reaching to heaven, Jacob set up a stone pillar at Bethel as a memorial of his encounter with God. Genesis 28:18-19 states, "Early the next morning, Jacob took the stone that he had placed under his head, and he set it up as a pillar. He poured oil on top of it, and he called that place Bethel, though previously the city had been named Luz." This act of setting up a pillar was a way for Jacob to commemorate the divine promise and presence he experienced. Pillar of Witness at Mizpah Another significant pillar is found in the covenant between Jacob and Laban. In Genesis 31:45-49 , Jacob and Laban set up a heap of stones and a pillar as a witness to their agreement. "So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar, and he said to his relatives, 'Gather some stones.' So they took stones and made a mound, and there by the mound they ate. Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed. Then Laban declared, 'This mound is a witness between you and me this day.' Therefore it was named Galeed, and also Mizpah, because he said, 'May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other.'" Pillar of Absalom In the narrative of King David's son Absalom, a pillar is mentioned as a monument to himself. 2 Samuel 18:18 records, "During his lifetime, Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself, for he said, 'I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.' He named the pillar after himself, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument." This pillar served as a testament to Absalom's desire for remembrance and legacy, contrasting with the more divine-focused memorials of other biblical figures. Pillars in the Worship of God Pillars also played a role in the worship practices of ancient Israel. In the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, pillars were integral to the structure and design, symbolizing strength and stability. Exodus 26:32 describes the use of pillars in the Tabernacle: "Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases." These pillars were not only functional but also carried symbolic meaning, representing the enduring presence and holiness of God. Cultural and Theological Significance In the ancient Near Eastern context, pillars were often used as boundary markers, memorials, or symbols of divine presence. The biblical use of pillars reflects these cultural practices but is imbued with theological significance. They serve as tangible reminders of God's promises, covenants, and the faithfulness of His people. The erection of a pillar often marked a sacred space or event, inviting future generations to remember and reflect on God's actions in history. The "Plain of The Pillar," while not a specific geographical location, represents the broader biblical theme of memorialization and divine encounter through the use of pillars. These structures, whether in the form of stone monuments or architectural elements, underscore the importance of remembering and honoring God's work among His people. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Plain of the PillarPLAIN OF THE PILLAR ('elon mutstsbh; Codex Vaticanus reads pros te balano te heurete tes staseos tes en Sikimois; Codex Alexandrinus omits te heurete, and the second tes): With the Revised Version margin we must read "terebinth of the pillar," the place where the men of Shechem and Beth-millo made Abimelech king (Judges 9:6). This was one of the sacred trees of which there seem to have been several near Shechem. See MEONENIM, OAK OF. "The pillar" may possibly have been the great stone which Joshua set up "under the oak that was by the sanctuary of Yahweh" (Joshua 24:26). Smith's Bible Dictionary Plain of The Pillaror rather "oak of the pillar" (that being the real signification of the Hebrew word elon), a tree which stood near Shechem and at which the men of Shechem and the house of Millo assembled to crown Abimelech the son of Gideon. (Judges 9:6) Library The Guiding Pillar On Mr. Rudyard Kipling and Making the World Small Lot's Flight from Sodom. The Adventures of Saint George of England. The Sixth The Swift Destroyer Lot's Escape from a Wicked City The Wail of a Broken Heart Abraham --The Father of the Faithful. The Light of the World Resources What is the Sermon on the Plain? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of Jezreel? | GotQuestions.org What is the Rose of Sharon? | GotQuestions.org Plain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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