Hangings
Fausset's Bible Dictionary [1]
1. Μasak , "the covering before the door (rather 'the curtain for the entrance,' so KJV distinguishes the words rightly at Numbers 3:26) of the tabernacle" ( Exodus 26:36-37); of variegated stuff "wrought with needlework" ("the work of' the embroiderer"), hung on five pillars of acacia wood; the curtain, unlike the hangings at the sides and back of the court, could be drawn up or aside at pleasure. Another before the entrance of the court ( Exodus 27:16). The term also is used in connection with the veil of the holy of holies, the "veil of the covering" ( Exodus 35:12).
2. Qelaim , hangings of fine twined linen for the walls of the court of the tabernacle, like our tapestry ( Exodus 27:9).
Smith's Bible Dictionary [2]
Hangings. The "hangings" were used for covering, the walls of the court of the Tabernacles just as tapestry is used in modern times. Exodus 27:9; Exodus 35:17; Exodus 38:9; Numbers 3:26; Numbers 4:26.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [3]
hang´ingz :
(1) In English Versions of the Bible this word in the plural represents the Hebrew קלעים , ḳelā‛ı̄m , the curtains of "fine twined linen" with which the court of the tabernacle was enclosed. These were five cubits in height, and of lengths corresponding to the sides of the enclosure and the space on either side of the entrance in front, and were suspended from hooks fastened to the pillars of the court. They are described at length in Exodus 27:9-15; Exodus 38:9-18 . See, besides, Exodus 35:17; Exodus 39:40; Numbers 3:26; Numbers 4:26 .
(2) In the King James Version another word, māṣākh (the Revised Version (British and American) uniformly "screen"), is distinguished from the preceding only by the singular, "hanging" ( Exodus 35:17; Exodus 38:18 , etc.). It is used of the screen or portière, embroidered in colors, that closed the entrance of the court ( Exodus 27:16; Exodus 35:17; Exodus 38:18; Exodus 39:40; Exodus 40:8 , Exodus 40:33; Numbers 3:26; Numbers 4:26 ); of the screen of similar workmanship at the entrance of the tabernacle ( Exodus 26:36 , Exodus 26:37; Exodus 35:15; Exodus 36:37; Exodus 39:38; Exodus 40:5 , Exodus 40:28; Numbers 3:25; Numbers 4:25 ); and once ( Numbers 3:31 ) of the tapestry veil, adorned with cherubim, at the entrance of the Holy of Holies (elsewhere, pārōkheth , "veil," Exodus 26:31-33 , etc., or pārōkheth ha - māṣākh , "veil of the screen," Exodus 35:12 , etc.). In Numbers 3:26 , the King James Version renders māṣākh "curtain," and in Exodus 35:12; Exodus 39:34; Exodus 40:21 (compare also Numbers 4:5 ), "covering."
(3) In 2 Kings 23:7 we read of "hangings" (Hebrew "houses") which the women wove for the Asherah. If the text is correct we are to think perhaps of tent shrines for the image of the goddess. Lucian's reading ( stolás , "robes") is preferred by some, which would have reference to the custom of bringing offerings of clothing for the images of the gods. In 1 Kings 7:29 the Revised Version (British and American), "wreaths of hanging work" refers to a kind of ornamentation on the bases of the lavers. In Esther 1:6 , "hangings" is supplied by the translators.
