Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(pile). Prominent in Oriental architecture, monumental evidences, and scripture metaphor (Gen. 28:18; 35:20; Ex. 13:21; Josh. 24:26; Judg. 16:25-30; 1 Tim. 3:15; Rev. 3:12).
Concise Bible Dictionary:
There are several Hebrew words translated “pillar”: the principal are
1. matstsebah, from “to set, put, place”; and hence anything that is set up. It is used for the stone that Jacob had had for a pillow, which he set up, and on which he poured oil and made his vow. Also for the heap of stones he raised when Laban and he parted (Gen. 28:18,22; Gen. 31:13,45-52; Gen. 35:14,20; Ex. 24:4; Isa. 19:19). From Deuteronomy 12:3 it would appear that pillars of some sort were also connected with idolatry. These may resemble the cairns often found in what were idolatrous lands. Absalom raised up for himself a pillar to keep his name in remembrance because he had no son (2 Sam. 18:18).
Absalom’s Pillar – Jerusalem—1898
2. The word ammud occurs many times for the pillars of the tabernacle and the temple. It is also used for the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire; also symbolically for the pillars of the heavens and the pillars of the earth (Ex. 13:21; Ex. 27:10-17; 1 Kings 7:2-42; Job 9:6; Job 26:11; Psa. 75:3; Ezek. 40:49; Ezek. 42:6).
Palmyra, Rome
In the New Testament the word is στύλος, “a pillar or column.” James, Cephas and John seemed to be “pillars” in the church at Jerusalem—those to whom matters were referred, as they were afterward to Paul (Gal. 2:9). The church of God is “the pillar and ground of the truth”—the witness that maintains the truth on earth (1 Tim. 3:15). The word occurs also in Revelation 3:12 and Revelation 10:1.
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Meaning:
from στύω (to stiffen; properly akin to the base of 2476); a post ("style"), i.e. (figuratively) support