Meaning
Hanging (as a punishment), a mark of infamy inflicted on the dead bodies of criminals (Deut 21:23) rather than our modern mode of punishment. Criminals were first strangled and then hanged (Nu 25:4; Deut 21:22). (See 2Sam 21:6 for the practice of the Gibeonites.)
Hanging (as a curtain). (1.) Heb. masak, (a) before the entrance to the court of the tabernacle (Ex 35:17); (b) before the door of the tabernacle (26:36, 37); (c) before the entrance to the most holy place, called "the veil of the covering" (35:12; 39:34), as the word properly means.
(2.) Heb. kelaim, tapestry covering the walls of the tabernacle (Ex 27:9; 35:17; Num 3:26) to the half of the height of the wall (Ex 27:18; comp. 26:16). These hangings were fastened to pillars.
(3.) Heb. bottim (2Kings 23:7), "hangings for the grove" (R.V., "for the Asherah"); marg., instead of "hangings," has "tents" or "houses." Such curtained structures for idolatrous worship are also alluded to in Ezek 16:16.
