Original Word: στῦλος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: stulos
Pronunciation: STU-los
Phonetic Spelling: (stoo'-los)
Definition: Pillar
Meaning: a pillar, support, column.

Word Origin: Derived from the base of 2476 (ἵστημι, histēmi), meaning "to stand."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent in Strong's Concordance, the concept of a pillar can be related to Hebrew words like עַמּוּד (ammud, Strong's 5982), which also means "pillar" or "column."

Usage: In the New Testament, "stulos" refers to a pillar or column, both in a literal architectural sense and metaphorically as a symbol of strength, support, and stability. It is used to describe physical structures as well as individuals who are seen as foundational or supportive within the Christian community.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient architecture, pillars were essential structural elements that supported buildings, often symbolizing strength and permanence. In Greco-Roman culture, pillars were not only functional but also decorative, often inscribed with important texts or adorned with carvings. In Jewish tradition, pillars could symbolize God's presence and faithfulness, as seen in the pillars of cloud and fire during the Exodus.

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
a pillar
NASB Translation
pillar (2), pillars (2).

STRONGS NT 4769: στῦλος

στῦλος (R G WH (Trin 1 Timothy 3:15; Revelation 10:1)), more correctly στῦλος (so L T (Tr in Galatians 2:9; Revelation 3:12)); see Passow (or Liddell and Scott), under the word, at the end (cf. Chandler §§ 274, 275; Lipsius, Gram. Untersuch., p. 43), στύλου, ὁ (from Aeschylus and Herodotus down), the Sept. often for עַמּוּד, a pillar, column: στῦλοι πυρός, pillars of fire, i. e. flames rising like columns, Revelation 10:1; ποιήσω αὐτόν στῦλον ἐν τῷ ναῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ μου, i. e. (dropping the figure) I will assign him a firm and abiding place in the everlasting kingdom of God, Revelation 3:12; used of persons to whose eminence and strength the stability and authority of any institution or organization are due, Galatians 2:9 (where cf. Lightfoot); Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 5, 2 [ET] and the note in Gebhardt and Harnack (στῦλοι οἴκων εἰσί παῖδες ἄρσενες, Euripides, Iph. T. 57; examples from (Jewish writings are given by Schoettgen (on Galatians, the passage cited) and from) ecclesiastical writings by Suicer, Thesaurus, ii, p. 1045f; columen reipublicae, Cicero, pro Sest. 8, 19, and often elsewhere in Latin authors); a prop or support: τῆς ἀληθείας, 1 Timothy 3:15.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

pillar.

From stuo (to stiffen; properly akin to the base of histemi); a post ("style"), i.e. (figuratively) support -- pillar.

see GREEK histemi

Forms and Transliterations

στήλου στιππύου στυλοι στύλοι στῦλοι στύλοις στυλον στύλον στῦλον στυλος στύλος στῦλος στύλου στύλους στύλω στύλων στυππίον στυππυίνου στυππυίνω στυρακίνην stuloi stulon stulos styloi stýloi stylon stýlon stylos stýlos

Links

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