Post (2)
Post
(stationary) is the rendering in the A. V. of the following words:
1. אִיַל, ayil (Sept. τὸ αἴθριον, Vulg. fronzs), properly a ram (as in Ge 15:9, and often); hence perhaps a pilaster or buttress (Eze 40:9-49; Eze 41:1,3; "lintel," 1Ki 6:31). In the Sept. it is sometimes left untranslated (αἴλ, αἰλεῦ, αἰλάμ); and in the Chaldee version it is represented by a modification of itself. Throughout the passages of Ezekiel in which it occurs the Vulg. uniformly renders it byfirons: which Gesenius quotes as favorable to his own view, provided that byjfions be understood the projections in front of the building. The A. V. of 1Ki 6:31, "lintel," is supported by the versions of Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion of Eze 40:21; while Kimchi explains it generally by "post." The Peshito-Syriac uniformly renders the word by a modification of the Greek παραστάδες, "pillars." Jarchi understands by ayil a round column like a large tree; Aquila (Eze 40:14), having in view the meaning "ram," which the word elsewhere bears. renders it κρίωμα, apparently intending thereby to denote the volutes of columns curved like rams horns. J. I). Michaelis (Supp. ad Lex. s.v.) considers it to be the tympanum or triangular area of the pediment above a gate supported by columns. Gesenius himself, after reviewing the passages in which the word occurs, arrives at the conclusion that in the singular it denotes the whole projecting framework of a door or gateway, including the jambs on either side, the threshold, and the lintel or architrave, with frieze and cornice. In the plural it is applied to denote the projections along the front of an edifice ornamented with columns or palm trees, and with recesses or intercolumniations between them sometimes filled up by windows. Under the former head he places 1Ki 6:31; Eze 40:9,21,24,26,29,31,33-34,36-38,48-49; Eze 41:3; while to the latter he refers 40:10, 14, 16; 41:1. Another explanation still is that of Bittcher (quoted by Winer, Real. 2, 575), who says that ayil is the projecting entrance and passage wall-which might appropriately be divided into compartments by paneling; and this view is adopted by Furst (Handw. s.v.). Akin to this is אֵילָם, eylam, "an arch," only used in the plur. (Eze 40:16, etc.), probably a portico, and so rendered by Symmachus and Syriac versions (Gesen. Thesaur. p. 48).
2. אִמָּה, ammâh (Sept. ὑπέρθυρον, Vulg. superliminare), literally, mother, or cubit, as the fundamental relation; foundation (Isa 6:4).
3. מּזוּזָה, mezuzah (Sept. σταθμός, φλιά; Vulg. postis), the door-post (the usual term). SEE MEZUZAH. The ceremony of boring the ear of a voluntary bondsman was performed by placing the ear against the doorpost of the house (Ex 21:6; see Juven. Sat. 1, 103, and Plant. Paem. 5, 2, 21). The posts of the doors of the Temple were of olive-wood (1Ki 6:33).
4. סִŠ, saph (Sept. φλιά, πρόπυλον; Vulg. limen, superliniare), the threshold (2Ch 3:7; Eze 41:16; Am 9:1; elsewhere "threshold," "door," or "gate"). SEE DOOR.
