מָסָךְ

מָסָךְ

a cover, i.e. veil

Definition

The Hebrew noun מָסָךְ (mâçâk) refers to a woven covering or screen, most often a curtain or veil used in sacred contexts. Its primary use in the Old Testament is for the finely crafted hangings at the entrance to the Tabernacle's tent and courtyard (Exodus 26:36-37, Exodus 27:16). These were not mere decorations but functional barriers that controlled access and marked the boundary between the holy and the common. In a few instances, the word can refer more generally to a covering or screen, such as in Isaiah 22:8 where it refers to a defensive covering, though its dominant meaning is cultic.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the Pentateuch (Exodus, Numbers) and once in the Prophets (Isaiah). In Exodus, it describes the specific woven screens for the Tabernacle's entrance and the gate of its courtyard, made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarns (Exodus 35:12, 35:17). The book of Numbers uses it similarly for the screen at the courtyard gate (Numbers 3:26, 4:26). Its single prophetic use in Isaiah 22:8 applies the term metaphorically to a military 'covering,' referring to the shields of Judah's defenders.

Etymology

מָסָךְ (mâçâk) is a noun derived from the root סָכַךְ (sâkak, H5529), which means 'to cover,' 'to screen,' or 'to hedge in.' This root conveys the idea of providing a protective or concealing layer. Related words from this root include סֻכָּה (sukkâ, H5521), meaning 'booth' or 'tabernacle,' highlighting the concept of a covered structure.

Semantic Range

The מָסָךְ is theologically significant as it physically embodied the concept of separation and mediated access to God's presence in the Tabernacle. It marked the threshold between the holy space of the courtyard and the outer world, and between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. Understanding this term enriches the reading of passages about the Tabernacle by emphasizing that approaching God under the Old Covenant involved passing through divinely ordained boundaries, a theme fulfilled in Christ, who is the true veil (Hebrews 10:20). In its ancient Near Eastern context, veils and screens in temples were common, serving to protect the sanctity of cultic objects and spaces from common view and access. The Israelite Tabernacle's מָסָךְ was distinct in its detailed, God-given specifications regarding materials (fine linen, dyed yarns) and craftsmanship, setting it apart from pagan shrines. It functioned not just as a physical barrier but as a visual symbol of holiness and separation for the covenant community. פָּרֹכֶת (pārōket, H6532) — the inner veil separating the Holy of Holies, not the entrance screen. יְרִיעָה (yərîʿâ, H3407) — a general term for a curtain or tent covering, often used for the larger Tabernacle curtains.

Word Details