Hanging:
(as a punishment), a mark of infamy inflicted on the dead bodies of criminals (Deu 21:23) rather than our modern mode of punishment. Criminals were first strangled and then hanged (Num 25:4; Deu 21:22). (See 2Sa 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 (Exd 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 (Exd 27:9; 35:17; Num 3:26) to the half of the height of the wall (Exd 27:18; Exd 26:16). These hangings were fastened to pillars.
(3.) Heb. bottim (2Ki 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 Eze 16:16.
Hanging:
hang'-ing (talah, "to hang up," "suspend," 2Sa 21:12; De 28:66; Job 26:7; Ps 137:2; So 4:4; Ho 11:7): Generally, where the word is used in connection with punishments, it appears to have reference to the hanging of the corpse after execution. We find but two clear instances of death by hanging, i.e. strangulation-those of Ahithophel and Judas ((2Sa 17:23; Mt 27:5), and both these were eases of suicide, not of execution. The foregoing Hebrew word is clearly used for "hanging" as a mode of execution in Es 5:14; 6:4; 7:9 ff; 8:7; 9:13,14,25; but probably the "gallows" or "tree" ('ets) was a stake for the purpose of impaling the victim. It could be lowered for this purpose, then raised "fifty cubits high" to arrest the public gaze. The Greek word used in Mt 27:5 is apagchesthai, "to strangle oneself." See HDB, article "Hanging," for an exhaustive discussion.
Written by Frank E. Hirsch
The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.
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