Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical architecture and symbolism, columns, also referred to as pillars, hold significant meaning and are mentioned numerous times throughout the Scriptures. They are often seen as symbols of strength, stability, and support, both in a physical and spiritual sense.
Old Testament ReferencesColumns are prominently featured in the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple, serving both functional and symbolic purposes. In the construction of the Tabernacle, columns were used to support the curtains and the structure itself.
Exodus 26:32 describes the use of columns: "Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases."
The most notable columns in the Old Testament are the two bronze pillars named Jachin and Boaz, which stood at the entrance of Solomon's Temple. These columns are described in
1 Kings 7:21: "He set up the pillars at the portico of the temple. The pillar to the south he named Jachin, and the pillar to the north he named Boaz." These pillars were not only architectural features but also carried deep symbolic meaning, representing God's establishment and strength.
Symbolism and MetaphorColumns are often used metaphorically in the Bible to represent individuals or groups who provide support and uphold the faith. In
Galatians 2:9, the apostles James, Cephas (Peter), and John are referred to as "pillars" of the church: "And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised."
The imagery of columns is also used in Revelation to describe the reward for the faithful.
Revelation 3:12 states, "The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name."
New Testament ReferencesWhile the New Testament does not focus on physical columns as much as the Old Testament, the metaphorical use continues. The church is often described as a structure supported by its members, with Christ as the cornerstone.
Ephesians 2:19-22 illustrates this concept: "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord."
Cultural and Historical ContextIn the ancient Near East, columns were not only structural elements but also carried cultural and religious significance. They were often used in temples and palaces, symbolizing the connection between the earthly and the divine. The use of columns in biblical architecture reflects this cultural context, emphasizing the sacred nature of the spaces they adorned.
Columns in the Bible, therefore, serve as powerful symbols of God's presence, the strength of faith, and the support provided by the community of believers. They remind the faithful of the importance of being steadfast and supportive pillars within the body of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A kind of pillar; a cylindrical or polygonal support for a roof, ceiling, statue, etc., somewhat ornamented, and usually composed of base, shaft, and capital. See Order.
2. (n.) Anything resembling, in form or position, a column in architecture; an upright body or mass; a shaft or obelisk; as, a column of air, of water, of mercury, etc.; the Column Vendome; the spinal column.
3. (n.) A body of troops formed in ranks, one behind the other; -- contradistinguished from line. Compare Ploy, and Deploy.
4. (n.) A small army.
5. (n.) A number of ships so arranged as to follow one another in single or double file or in squadrons; -- in distinction from line, where they are side by side.
6. (n.) A perpendicular set of lines, not extending across the page, and separated from other matter by a rule or blank space; as, a column in a newspaper.
7. (n.) A perpendicular line of figures.
8. (n.) The body formed by the union of the stamens in the Mallow family, or of the stamens and pistil in the orchids.
Greek
4769. stulos -- a pillar... a pillar. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: stulos Phonetic Spelling:
(stoo'-los) Short Definition: a pillar Definition: a pillar, support,
column...Strong's Hebrew
5982. ammud -- a pillar,columnammud or ammud. 5981, 5982. ammud or ammud. 5983 . a pillar,
column.
Transliteration: ammud or ammud Phonetic Spelling: (am-mood') Short Definition:
...8490. timarah -- (palm-like)column
... 8489, 8490. timarah. 8491 . (palm-like)column. Transliteration: timarah
Phonetic Spelling: (tee-maw-raw') Short Definition: columns....
547. omnah -- pillar
... of aman, qv. pillar Feminine active participle of 'omen (in the original sense of
supporting); acolumn -- pillar. see HEBREW 'omen. 546, 547. omnah. 548 ....
4676. matstsebah -- a pillar, stump
... Feminine (causatively) participle of natsab; something stationed, ie Acolumn or
(memorial stone); by analogy, an idol -- garrison, (standing) image, pillar....
7638. sabak -- net
... net From an unused root meaning to intwine; a netting (ornament to the capital of
acolumn) -- net. 7637, 7638. sabak. 7639 . Strong's Numbers.
3730. kaphtor -- capital, knob, bulb
... 1) kaphtowr {kaf-tore'}; probably from an unused root meaning to encircle; a chaplet;
but used only in an architectonic sense, ie The capital of acolumn, or a...
2106. zavith -- a corner
... Apparently from the same root as Ziv (in the sense of prominence); an angle (as
projecting), ie (by implication) a corner-column (or anta) -- corner(stone)....
134. eden -- a base, pedestal
... foundation, socket. From the same as 'adown (in the sense of strength); a basis
(of a building, acolumn, etc.) -- foundation, socket. see HEBREW 'adown....
3805. kothereth -- capital (of a pillar)
... chapiter. Feminine active participle of kathar; the capital of acolumn -- chapiter.
see HEBREW kathar. 3804, 3805. kothereth. 3806 . Strong's Numbers.
6858. tsepheth -- probably plated capital (of a pillar)
... chapiter. From an unused root meaning to encircle; a capital of acolumn --
chapiter. 6857, 6858. tsepheth. 6859 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
The BrokenColumn
... The BrokenColumn. A Sermon (No.403). Delivered... climax. I shall take that picture
of the brokencolumn to represent my text. It is a broken text....
List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings...
... Ber. ii.4), or, in these volumes mostly, by page andcolumn.... Par.4, the corresponding
quotation by page andcolumn would in that instance be, Jer....
The Man About whom the Apostle is Here Treating, do Far as He Is...
... analogy of the subject itself that is under the law and the dominion of sin"as he
is under the law, the particulars enumerated in the firstcolumn belong to...
How the Iberians Received the Faith of Christ.
... It is related, that when the first and second columns had been righted by these
means, great difficulty was found in fixing the thirdcolumn, neither art nor...
Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
... But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until thecolumn of the
morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet....
Appendix (C).
... It should perhaps be explained that the extracts in the right-handcolumn have been
dislocated in order to shew their close resemblance to what is set down in...
No Man Can Serve Two Masters; and that Because it is Necessary...
... [779] Why lookest thou at the mote which is in the eye of thy brother,
but considerest not thecolumn that is in thine own eye?...
Whether Names which Imply Relation to Creatures are Predicated of...
... Likewise for instance, "on the right" is not applied to acolumn, unless it stands
as regards an animal on the right side; which relation is not really in the...
You See by this what his Opinions are About Origen and Also About...
... he attacks a man who is worthy of all admiration, Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, who
was not to that church alone but to all the churches like acolumn or an...
Accidents, not Punishments
... Not only have there been catastrophes so alarming that the blood chills at their
remembrance, butcolumn aftercolumn of the paper has been devoted to...
Thesaurus
Column (5 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) Anything resembling, in form or position, a
column in architecture; an upright
body or mass; a shaft or obelisk; as, a
column of air, of water, of
...Palm-column (1 Occurrence)
Palm-column. Palm-branches, Palm-column. Palmerworm . Multi-Version
Concordance Palm-column (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah...
Pillar (72 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The general and popular term for a firm, upright, insulated support for
a superstructure; a pier,column, or post; also, acolumn or shaft not...
Shaft (13 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) The body of acolumn; the cylindrical pillar between the capital and base
(see Illust. ofColumn). Also, the part of a chimney above the roof....
Order (809 Occurrences)
... 14. (n.) The disposition of acolumn and its component parts, and of the entablature
resting upon it, in classical architecture; hence (as thecolumn and...
Overrun (4 Occurrences)
... after, or next before. 7. (vt) To extend the contents of (a line,column,
or page) into the next line,column, or page. 8. (vi) To run...
Line (131 Occurrences)
... vision. 11. (n.) A row of letters, words, etc., written or printed; esp.,
a row of words extending across a page orcolumn. 12....
Footing (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Tread; step; especially, measured tread. 6. (n.) The act of adding up
acolumn of figures; the amount or sum total of such acolumn....
Foot (193 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The lowest part or base; the ground part; the bottom, as of a mountain or
column; also, the last of a row or series; the end or extremity, esp....
Patriarchs (6 Occurrences)
... to Mahalalel inclusive, together with Enoch and Noah is the same in the three texts,
except that the Septuagint has 100 years more in the firstcolumn in each...
Resources
Is there any evidence for the Bible's view of a young earth? | GotQuestions.orgHow does the geologic timescale fit with the view of a young earth? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Origen of Alexandria? | GotQuestions.orgColumn: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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