ma.tsuq denotes an upright or supporting formation, applied to a crag and to the earth's pillars.

The attested use presents an upright or supporting formation: a singular crag rises like a pillar in 1 Samuel 14:5, while the plural construct form is used in the clause about the earth's pillars in 1 Samuel 2:8.

1. Upright or supporting formation · dominant

   In 1 Samuel 14:5, the singular absolute form occurs where the APB renders a crag as rising “as a pillar” north of Michmash. In 1 Samuel 2:8, the plural construct form occurs in the clause the APB renders “for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's,” presenting such formations as supports on which the world is set.

   1 Samuel 14:51 Samuel 2:8

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the singular occurrence through a crag that rises “as a pillar” and the plural occurrence as “the pillars of the earth.” These phrases indicate the verse contexts rather than a fixed English rendering.