Genesis 28:18

Took the stone. The stone that had been his pillow became a monument to commemorate the revelation he had received from God. He poured oil upon it to consecrate it as a memorial to the mercy there revealed to him (see Ex. 30:26-30). This “pillar” was in no sense made an object of worship. Pillar worship did exist among the Canaanites, but was strictly forbidden by God (see Lev. 26:1; Deut. 16:22). Later, however, the Israelites violated this divine prohibition, and set up pillars (“images”) as cult objects (see 1 Kings 14:23; 2 Kings 18:4; 23:14; 2 Chron. 14:3; 31:1; Hosea 10:1, 2; Micah 5:13). This does not mean, however, that every pillar set up had such a significance, as the following examples show. Jacob erected another pillar to commemorate his treaty with Laban (Gen. 31:45), and still another served to mark the grave of Rachel (ch. 35:20). Absalom later erected one to perpetuate his memory (2 Sam. 18:18).