Literally, “a pillar.” Such “pillars” were set up by the heathen as objects of worhsip (see Gen. 28:18). The same word appears in Ex. 23:24; 34:13; Lev. 26:1; etc. These “pillars” were usually of stone, and were devoted to idolatrous worship, especially to Baal. In many instances they were connected with the depravity of phallic worship. In contrast, a pillar was set up by Jacob as a memorial of God’s visitation to him (Gen. 28:18, 22; 31:13; 35:14).