עַמּוּד

From the study of Exodus 13:21

Range of meaning

A standing upright: a structural pillar or post (Judg 16:25–29, the pillars of Dagon's temple; the bronze pillars Jachin and Boaz, 1 Kgs 7:15), the 'pillars' of the earth or heavens in poetry (Job 9:6; 26:11), a raised platform on which a king stood (2 Kgs 11:14). From the root ʿamad, 'to stand'. Here: a column, something tall, vertical and standing in one place.

Against the English

'Pillar' is a fair rendering, though modern readers may picture something solid and carved. 'Column' (as in 'a column of smoke') may be closer to the visual: a tall vertical mass of cloud, or of fire, standing over the people's path.

Used elsewhere in the period

The same phrase recurs throughout the wilderness story: Exod 14:19, 24; 33:9–10 (the pillar of cloud stands at the tent entrance); Num 12:5; 14:14; Deut 31:15; Neh 9:12, 19; Ps 99:7 ('he spoke to them in the pillar of cloud'). Wisdom of Solomon 18:3 calls it 'a flaming pillar of fire' (Greek stylos).

From the study of Exodus 14:19

Range of meaning

An upright column or post: the pillars of a building (Judg 16:25-29), the bronze pillars of the temple (1 Kgs 7:15), tent posts, and figuratively the 'pillars' of the earth or sky (Job 9:6; 26:11). It comes from ʿāmad, 'to stand', so it means 'a thing that stands'.

Against the English

'Pillar' is accurate. Today the word may suggest a still stone column, but this one moves, rises and settles.

Used elsewhere in the period

'Pillar of cloud' and 'pillar of fire' recur in Exod 13:21-22; 33:9-10; Num 12:5; 14:14; Deut 31:15; Neh 9:12, 19; Ps 99:7. Ancient armies and caravans are reported to have been guided by fire and smoke signals carried at the front, for example the brazier on a pole Alexander used as a camp signal (Curtius Rufus 5.2.7). Such parallels may explain the image, but the text treats this pillar as God's presence, not a signal.

From the study of Jeremiah 1:18

Range of meaning

'Ammud means a standing column or pillar: a load-bearing post in a building (Judg 16:25–29), the bronze pillars of the temple (1 Kgs 7:15–22), the pillar of cloud and fire, or the place where the king stood (2 Kgs 11:14; 23:3). Barzel is iron, the strongest metal people worked with in the Iron Age.

Against the English

English "iron pillar" is accurate. The image is unusual, though. Nobody built pillars of solid iron, so the original hearers would have heard an exaggeration meant to suggest something unbendable.

Used elsewhere in the period

Iron stands for things that cannot be broken in Deut 28:48 ("yoke of iron"), Ps 2:9 ("rod of iron"), Dan 2:40 and Jer 15:12 ("Can anyone break iron, iron from the north, and bronze?"). The Old Greek of this verse appears to lack this phrase (see textual notes).