hanging Summary and Overview

(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 2 Sam. 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; compare 26:16). These hangings were fastened to pillars. (3.) Heb. bottim (2 Kings 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.

HANG'ING . According to Jewish law, the criminal was first strangled and then hanged. Num 25:4; Deut 21:22. The body was to be taken down before sunset. It was a special mark of infamy and a curse, Deut 21:23. Jesus is said to have been "hanged on a tree;" literally, "on a beam of wood." Acts 5:30; Gal 3:13. But the expression refers to his crucifixion.

Criminals were usually put to death before hanging, for ignominy (Joshua 10:26). The bodies were removed before nightfall in order not to defile the land (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). Hence our Lord's body as those of the two thieves was taken from the cross before the "high day" of the approaching "sabbath" (John 19:31).