Standing-pillars, also known as "standing stones" or "pillars," are significant structures mentioned throughout the Bible, often serving as memorials, witnesses, or symbols of covenantal agreements. These pillars were typically large stones set upright and were used in various religious and cultural contexts in the ancient Near East.

Biblical References and Significance

1. Memorials and Witnesses: Standing-pillars were frequently erected as memorials to commemorate significant events or divine encounters. In Genesis 28:18, Jacob sets up a stone pillar at Bethel after his dream of the ladder reaching to heaven, marking the place where God spoke to him: "Early in the 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." This act of anointing the stone signified its sacred purpose as a witness to God's promise.

2. Covenantal Symbols: These pillars also served as symbols of covenants between individuals or between God and His people. In Genesis 31:45-48, Jacob and Laban set up a pillar as a witness to their covenant: "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. Laban said, 'This mound is a witness between you and me today.' Therefore it was named Galeed."

3. Prohibitions and Warnings: While standing-pillars were used for legitimate religious purposes, they were also associated with pagan worship practices, which were strictly prohibited for the Israelites. In Deuteronomy 16:22, God commands, "Do not set up for yourselves a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates." This reflects the concern that such structures could lead to idolatry, as they were often used in Canaanite religious rituals.

4. Destruction of Pagan Pillars: The Israelites were instructed to destroy the standing-pillars of the Canaanites to eliminate idolatrous practices from the land. In Exodus 23:24, God commands, "You must not bow down to their gods or serve them or follow their practices. Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces." This directive underscores the importance of maintaining the purity of worship and devotion to Yahweh alone.

5. Historical and Cultural Context: Standing-pillars were common in the ancient Near East, serving various functions in different cultures. They were often erected at significant sites, such as city gates, temples, or burial places, and could be inscribed with texts or symbols. In the biblical context, their use was carefully regulated to ensure that they aligned with the worship of the one true God.

Theological Implications

Standing-pillars in the Bible highlight the importance of tangible reminders of God's presence and promises. They serve as physical markers of spiritual truths and divine encounters, reinforcing the covenantal relationship between God and His people. However, the potential for misuse and idolatry necessitated clear guidelines and prohibitions to safeguard the purity of worship. The biblical narrative consistently emphasizes the need for discernment in the use of such symbols, ensuring that they point to the true God and not to false deities or practices.Standing-pillars (9 Occurrences)

1 Kings 14:23
And they build -- also they -- for themselves high places, and standing-pillars, and shrines, on every high height, and under every green tree;
(YLT)

2 Kings 10:26
and bring out the standing-pillars of the house of Baal, and burn them,
(YLT)

2 Kings 17:10
and set up for them standing-pillars and shrines on every high height, and under every green tree,
(YLT)

2 Kings 23:14
And he hath broken in pieces the standing-pillars, and cutteth down the shrines, and filleth their place with bones of men;
(YLT)

2 Chronicles 14:3
and turneth aside the altars of the stranger, and the high places, and breaketh the standing-pillars, and cutteth down the shrines,
(YLT)

2 Chronicles 31:1
And at the completion of all this, gone out have all Israel who are found present to the cities of Judah, and break the standing-pillars, and cut down the shrines, and break down the high places and the altars, out of all Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, even to completion, and all the sons of Israel turn back, each to his Possession, to their cities.
(YLT)

Hosea 10:1
An empty vine 'is' Israel, Fruit he maketh like to himself, According to the abundance of his fruit, He hath multiplied for the altars, According to the goodness of his land, They have made goodly standing-pillars.
(YLT)

Hosea 10:2
Their heart hath been divided, now they are guilty, He doth break down their altars, He doth destroy their standing-pillars.
(YLT)

Micah 5:13
And I have cut off thy graven images, And thy standing-pillars out of thy midst, And thou dost not bow thyself any more To the work of thy hands.
(YLT)

Standing-pillars (9 Occurrences)
Standing-pillars. Standing-pillar, Standing-pillars. Standing-place .
Multi-Version Concordance Standing-pillars (9 Occurrences). ...
/s/standing-pillars.htm - 9k

Shrines (40 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:13 for their altars ye break down, and their standingpillars
ye shiver, and its shrines ye cut down; (YLT). Deuteronomy ...
/s/shrines.htm - 19k

Shiver (3 Occurrences)
... Shiver (3 Occurrences). Exodus 34:13 for their altars ye break down, and their
standingpillars ye shiver, and its shrines ye cut down; (YLT). ...
/s/shiver.htm - 8k

Cutteth (37 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 2 Kings 23:14 And he hath broken in pieces the standing-pillars, and cutteth
down the shrines, and filleth their place with bones of men; (YLT). ...
/c/cutteth.htm - 18k

Writeth (26 Occurrences)
... 24:4 And Moses writeth all the words of Jehovah, and riseth early in the morning,
and buildeth an altar under the hill, and twelve standingpillars for the ...
/w/writeth.htm - 14k

Filleth (16 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 2 Kings 23:14 And he hath broken in pieces the standing-pillars, and cutteth
down the shrines, and filleth their place with bones of men; (YLT). ...
/f/filleth.htm - 10k

Devote (36 Occurrences)
... dost not bow thyself to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their doings,
but dost utterly devote them, and thoroughly break their standingpillars...
/d/devote.htm - 18k

Breaketh (49 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 14:3 and turneth aside the altars of the stranger, and the high places,
and breaketh the standing-pillars, and cutteth down the shrines, (YLT). ...
/b/breaketh.htm - 21k

Buildeth (73 Occurrences)
... 24:4 And Moses writeth all the words of Jehovah, and riseth early in the morning,
and buildeth an altar under the hill, and twelve standingpillars for the ...
/b/buildeth.htm - 28k

Standing-place (1 Occurrence)
Standing-place. Standing-pillars, Standing-place. Standpoint . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (See JPS). Standing-pillars, Standing-place. Standpoint . ...
/s/standing-place.htm - 6k

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