Hanging
Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897) · International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
THE DICTIONARY — Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897)
(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 (Nu. 25:4; Deuteronomy 21:22). (See 2 Samuel 21:6 for the practice of the Gibeonites.) Hanging (as a curtain). (1.) Hebrews masak, (a) before the entrance to the court of the tabernacle (Exodus 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.) Hebrews 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. (3.) Hebrews 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 Ezekiel 16:16.
THE FULL ARTICLE — from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915), general editor James Orr — public domain, printed whole.
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.
Frank E. Hirsch