2:8 pillars of the earth. The “pillars of the earth” is a unique term, used nowhere else in Scripture. The concept seems to be one of “firm summits,” subsurface geologic structures strong enough to maintain the general stability of the earth’s surface.

2:8 world. This is the first occurrence in the Bible of the word for “world” (Hebrew tebel), referring to the earth’s habitable lands, as created and controlled by God.