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מָסָךְ

𐤌𐤎𐤊

mâçâk

H4539 noun

SILEX Entry

Root סכך to cover, shield, protect, screen

Definition

A textile or draped covering, most commonly a curtain or hanging used to partition, screen, or enclose sacred or significant spaces, especially within the tabernacle or temple context. The term is often used for the outer entrance screen or covering of the tent of meeting, or for hangings forming boundaries of the sacred area. By extension, can indicate other forms of protective or concealing coverings crafted from fabric.

Semantic Range

curtain, screen, hanging, veil, entrance covering, partition

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root סָכַךְ (s-k-k), which means 'to block, cover, screen (off),' 'to defend, protect.' מָסָךְ is a nominal formation from this root, denoting an object serving as a covering or screening barrier.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מָסָךְ is used almost exclusively in the context of the tabernacle (mishkan) and later temple, where it refers to specific curtains or hangings: the outer screen of the tent of meeting (Exodus 26:36; 36:37; 38:18), the entrance to the courtyard, or the covering for specific areas. It designates textiles that serve a functional boundary, creating zones of gradated sanctity or privacy, rather than merely decorative drapery. This term is distinct from פָּרֹכֶת (parokhet), which refers specifically to the inner veil separating the Holy of Holies, whereas מָסָךְ is for outer barriers or screens. English Bible translations commonly render it as 'screen,' 'curtain,' or 'hanging,' but the semantic range is defined by cultic architectural context, not generic household curtains. After the exile, the liturgical references become less prominent as temple worship practices changed, and the architectural application of the word diminishes in active use.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from סָכַךְ; a cover, i.e. veil; covering, curtain, hanging.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

סכך (s-k-k) — cover, shield, protect, screen off

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4329 מֵיסָךְ sheltering portico of
H4537 מָסַךְ screening curtain
H4540 מְסֻכָּה your shelter
H5519 סָךְ dense throng
H5520 סֹךְ in his woven-shelter

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4539-04 מָסָךְ֙ masakhe HNcmsa the screen screening curtain 14
H4539-01 הַ/מָּסָֽךְ hamasakhe HTd/Ncmsa of the screen the screening-curtain 6
H4539-05 וּ/מָסַ֞ךְ umasakhe HC/Ncmsc and the screen and screening curtain 2
H4539-02 לַ/מָּסָ֗ךְ lamasakhe HRd/Ncmsa for the screen for the covering-screen 1
H4539-03 לְ/מָסָ֑ךְ lemasakhe HR/Ncmsa for a covering for a screening curtain 1
H4539-06 וְ/הַ֨/מָּסָ֔ךְ vehamasakhe HC/Td/Ncmsa and the screen and the screening-curtain 1

Occurrences in Scripture

25 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4539-04 Exodus 26:36 מָסָךְ֙ masakhe HNcmsa a screen screening curtain
H4539-02 Exodus 26:37 לַ/מָּסָ֗ךְ lamasakhe HRd/Ncmsa for the screen for the covering-screen
H4539-04 Exodus 27:16 מָסָ֣ךְ masakhe HNcmsa screen screening curtain
H4539-01 Exodus 35:12 הַ/מָּסָֽךְ hamasakhe HTd/Ncmsa of the screen the screening-curtain
H4539-04 Exodus 35:15 מָסַ֥ךְ masakhe HNcmsc screen screening curtain
H4539-04 Exodus 35:17 מָסַ֖ךְ masakhe HNcmsc the screen screening curtain
H4539-04 Exodus 36:37 מָסָךְ֙ masakhe HNcmsa a screen screening curtain
H4539-05 Exodus 38:18 וּ/מָסַ֞ךְ umasakhe HC/Ncmsc and-the-screen and screening curtain
H4539-01 Exodus 39:34 הַ/מָּסָֽךְ hamasakhe HTd/Ncmsa of the screen the screening-curtain
H4539-04 Exodus 39:38 מָסַ֖ךְ masakhe HNcmsc screen screening curtain
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