Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the raising of pillars as a token of covenants is a significant act that symbolizes the establishment and remembrance of agreements between individuals and between God and His people. These pillars serve as physical reminders of the commitments made and the divine presence overseeing these covenants.Jacob and Laban's Covenant One of the most notable instances of a pillar being raised as a token of a covenant is found in the account of Jacob and Laban. After years of service and subsequent tension between Jacob and his father-in-law Laban, the two men sought to make peace. In Genesis 31:44-52, they established a covenant to ensure mutual respect and non-aggression. Jacob set up a stone pillar as a witness to this agreement. Genesis 31:45-46 states, "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." This pillar, along with the heap of stones, served as a witness to their covenant, marking the boundary between them and symbolizing their commitment to peace. Jacob at Bethel Earlier in Jacob's life, another significant pillar was raised at Bethel. After his dream of a ladder reaching to heaven, Jacob recognized the place as the house of God. In Genesis 28:18-22, Jacob set up a stone pillar and poured oil on top of it, vowing that if God would be with him and provide for him, he would return to this place and give a tenth of all he received. Genesis 28:18 records, "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." This act was both a memorial of God's promise to him and a token of Jacob's vow to God. Moses and the Covenant at Sinai In the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant, pillars also played a role. After receiving the Law from God, Moses built an altar at the foot of Mount Sinai and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Exodus 24:4 states, "And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel." These pillars symbolized the people's commitment to the covenant with God, serving as a tangible representation of their collective agreement to follow His commandments. Significance and Symbolism The use of pillars in these covenantal contexts underscores the importance of physical symbols in the ancient Near Eastern culture as a means of memorializing significant events and agreements. The pillars served not only as reminders to the parties involved but also as witnesses to the divine presence and authority overseeing the covenant. They were tangible markers of spiritual commitments, intended to endure through generations as a testament to the faithfulness and promises of God and His people. Throughout the biblical narrative, the raising of pillars as tokens of covenants highlights the solemnity and sacredness of these agreements. They remind believers of the enduring nature of God's promises and the importance of faithfulness in human relationships, both with God and with one another. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 31:45,46And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables ... A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad! The Blood of the Testament An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ... Memoir of John Bunyan Resources What is the Mosaic Covenant? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a covenant? | GotQuestions.org Why are Mormons/LDS so interested in genealogies? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Covenants of God's Promises to Man Covenants of the Contract of Marriage Covenants of the United Determination of a People to Serve God Covenants: (With Death and Hell) Carnal Security Covenants: (With Stones and Beasts, of the Earth) Peace Covenants: Agreements Between Two Parties Covenants: Conditions of Clearly Specified Covenants: Conditions of Conformed by Oath Covenants: Conditions of Witnessed Covenants: Conditions of Written and Sealed Covenants: Designed For: Establishing Friendship Covenants: Designed For: Establishing Peace Covenants: Designed For: Mutual Protection Covenants: Designed For: Procuring Assistance in War Covenants: Designed For: Promoting Commerce Covenants: Designed For: Selling Land Covenants: Followed by a Feast Covenants: God often Called to Witness Covenants: Made by Passing Between the Pieces of the Divided Sacrifices Covenants: Names Given to Places where Made Covenants: Pillars Raised in Token of Covenants: Presents Given As Tokens Covenants: Ratified by Joining Hands Covenants: Salt a Sign of Perpetuity In Covenants: The Jews: Condemned for Making, With Idolatrous Nations Covenants: The Jews: Forbidden to Make, With the Nations of Canaan Covenants: The Jews: Frequently Made With Other Nations Covenants: The Jews: Regarded, As Sacred Covenants: Violated by the Wicked Covenants: when Confirmed, Unalterable Related Terms |
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