Hanging

Share

Easton's Bible Dictionary - Hanging

Hanging [N]

(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.)

Hanging (as a curtain).

  • Heb. masak, (a) before the entrance to the court of the tabernacle ( Exodus 35:17 ); (b) before the door of the tabernacle ( Exodus 26:36 Exodus 26:37 ); (c) before the entrance to the most holy place, called "the veil of the covering" ( 35:12 ; 39:34 ), as the word properly means.

  • Heb. 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 ; comp 26:16 ). These hangings were fastened to pillars.

  • Heb. bottim ( 2 Kings 23:7 ), "hangings for the grove" (RSV, "for the Asherah"); marg., instead of "hangings," has "tents" or "houses." Such curtained structures for idolatrous worship are also alluded to in Ezekiel 16:16 .

    These dictionary topics are from
    M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
    published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.
    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    Bibliography Information

    Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for Hanging". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .

    • International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Hanging

    HANGING

    hang'-ing (talah, "to hang up," "suspend," 2 Samuel 21:12; Deuteronomy 28:66; Job 26:7; Psalms 137:2; Song of Solomon 4:4; Hosea 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 ((2 Samuel 17:23; Matthew 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 Esther 5:14; 6:4; 7:9; 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 Matthew 27:5 is apagchesthai, "to strangle oneself." See HDB, article "Hanging," for an exhaustive discussion.

    Frank E. Hirsch

    Copyright Statement
    These files are public domain.

    Bibliography Information
    Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'HANGING'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.