hanging

1. as a punishment—a mark of infamy inflicted on the dead bodies of criminals (Deuteronomy 21:23) rather than our modern mode of punishment

   Criminals were first strangled and then hanged (Numbers 25:4; Deuteronomy 21:22). (See 2 Samuel 21:6 for the practice of the Gibeonites.)

2. hanging, as a curtain

   This was the translation of three different Hebrew words.

   • Hebrew: masak

     1. before the entrance to the court of the tabernacle (Exodus 35:17)
     2. before the door of the tabernacle (26:36-37)
     3. before the entrance to the most holy place, called “the veil of the covering” (35:12; 39:34), as the word properly means.

   • Hebrew: kelaim—tapestry covering the walls of the tabernacle (Exodus 27:9; 35:17; Numbers 3:26) to the half of the height of the wall (Exodus 27:18; compare 26:16)

     These hangings were fastened to pillars.

   • Hebrew: bottim (2 Kings 23:7), “hangings for the grove” (Revised King James Version, “for the Asherah”); marginal note, instead of “hangings,” has “tents” or “houses”

     Such curtained structures for idolatrous worship are also alluded to in Ezek. 16:16.

More information

• punishment
• death
• curtain
• tent
• idolatry
• King Debir of Eglon was hanged by Joshua.