Heb. maṣṣeboth, “pillars.” In those days sacred pillars were common in Palestine. They are thought to have been masculine symbols of fertility. The Hebrews were commanded to destroy such pillars (Ex. 23:24; 34:13), and were forbidden to erect any “grove” (symbol of the goddess Asherah) or set any pillar near an altar to the Lord (see on Deut. 16:21, 22).