Pillar #wordstudywednesday

Pillars. Do you know that they have more significance than just a pretty addition to architecture?

My son created this piece when he was 7 years old.
I absolutely love his artistic vision!!!
(Chalk pastel and oil pastel.)

We studied about Pillars for an art lesson quite a while back in our homescool co-op. The Word Study for our lesson on pillars taught me some things I hadn't previously given much thought.

Webster's 1828 Dictionary:

PIL'LAR, n. [L. pila, a pile, a pillar, a mortar and pestle. The L. pila denotes a heap, or things thrown, put or driven together.]
Literally, a pile or heap; hence,

2. A supporter; that which sustains or upholds; that on which some superstructure rests. Gal.2.

3. A monument raised to commemorate any person or remarkable transaction.

And Jacob set a pillar on her grave. Gen.35. 2 Sam.18.

4. Something resembling a pillar; as a pillar of salt. Gen.19.

So a pillar of a cloud, a pillar of fire. Ex.13.

5. Foundation; support. Job.9.

Relate:
From my research {so far} there seems to be a distinct difference in the markers that the Hebrews used from what other peoples used. The Hebrews used pillars. Is it any wonder? The very idea of a pillar comes from Yahweh... it is a part of a foundation and it offers support. Yahweh Himself offered a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire to protect His people. There must be a purpose in pillars being chosen markers... 

I like to think of a journal and Christian/personal timelines as pillars. Heaps of marks on {piles of} papers marking Yahweh's Providential Hand in History... in my personal life...

Pillars...

they will forever remind me of Yahweh....

... my foundation and support.

Did you know that a pillar was found at the Red Sea Crossing of the Exodus?! At some point, the Hebrews raised a monument to commemorate this remarkable transaction. Check it out at about 15:00 minutes into the film:

Blessings!

  

(Be sure to follow this link to more Word Study Wednesday goodness hosted by acherishedkeeper.com)