pillar

Everyday

1. A pillar is a tall, strong post of stone, wood or metal that holds up part of a building or stands as a monument. tree →
2. A pillar of smoke, fire or cloud is a tall column of it. tree →
3. A pillar of a community or group is an important person or idea that supports it: a pillar of the church. tree →

In the lessons

In history: Greek and Roman temples with pillars. In the Bible: God led the Israelites by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night; Lot's wife became a pillar of salt. In religion: the Five Pillars of Islam. Phrase (UK): «from pillar to post» means from one place to another without rest.

Examples

• The temple roof stood on tall stone pillars. tree →
• A pillar of smoke rose from the bonfire. tree →
• God led the Israelites with a pillar of cloud. tree →
• Grandpa was a pillar of the community. tree →
• The Five Pillars of Islam are the main duties of Muslims. tree →
• In the UK, post boxes used to be called pillar boxes. tree →
• We were sent from pillar to post. tree →
• Around and around the pillar ran the Princess. tree →

Note

Countable. Similar: column (often round and decorated), post. Phrase: «pillar of strength» = someone who supports others in hard times.

In Jewish tradition

Pillars of cloud by day and fire by night guided Israel in the desert, and Lot's wife became a pillar of salt; pillars set up for idol worship were forbidden.

Interpretation. The rabbis said the cloud and fire showed God's constant presence; the ban on stone pillars is because they were used in pagan worship. The pillars of heaven and earth show that all creation rests on God's will.

Examples

• And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. (Torah GEN.31.45, JPS 1917) tree →
• Neither shalt thou set thee up a pillar, which the LORD thy God hateth. (Torah DEU.16.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. (Torah GEN.19.26, JPS 1917) tree →
• The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at His rebuke. (Writings JOB.26.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars; (Writings PRO.9.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• Who shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. (Writings JOB.9.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. Similar: column (often round and decorated), post. Phrase: «pillar of strength» = someone who supports others in hard times.