מָסָךְ (ma.sakh)
ma.sakh
covering
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 25 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun masakh denotes a physical covering, screen, or curtain. Derived from a root meaning to cover or hide, it appears twenty-five times in the Old Testament, primarily within the detailed instructions for the tabernacle’s construction. It refers specifically to the woven fabrics that served as barriers, such as the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place and the screen at the entrance of the tent’s courtyard.
While its primary usage is architectural and ritualistic, masakh carries a striking metaphorical weight in Isaiah 22:8. There, the prophet describes how God will "uncover the covering of Judah," using the image of a removed veil to depict national shame and exposure. This usage transforms a word about sacred textiles into a powerful symbol of vulnerability, where what was once hidden is violently laid bare before observers.
Translators typically render masakh as "covering," "curtain," or "hanging" depending on the context. In Exodus, it distinguishes specific functional parts of the sanctuary structure, ensuring that the separation between the holy and the common remains clear. The word underscores the physical reality of boundaries in Israel’s worship, marking where access was restricted and where God’s presence dwelt behind layers of fabric.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word masakh describes a physical barrier, often a woven screen or curtain, that created boundaries within the ancient tabernacle. In Exodus, these coverings separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place and marked the entrance to the courtyard. They were not merely decorative; they defined where God’s presence dwelt and who could approach. This structure taught Israel that holiness requires distinction between the sacred and the common.
Isaiah 22:8 uses this imagery differently, describing how God removes the covering of Judah, leaving the nation exposed and ashamed. Here, the screen represents protection or concealment that is suddenly taken away. For believers, this highlights the reality that God sees all things, yet He also provides boundaries that protect His people.
Understanding masakh helps us appreciate the seriousness of approaching God. The curtains reminded Israel that access to God was mediated and careful. Today, we trust in Christ who tore the veil, granting us direct access to the Father while still honoring the reverence due to His holiness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 25 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] screen of10×
- the/ screen5×
- a screen3×
- and/ [the] screen of2×
- to/ a covering1×
- the/ covering1×
- for the/ screen1×
- and/ the/ screen1×
- [the] covering of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מָסַ֖ךְ4×
- מָסַ֥ךְ3×
- מָסָךְ֙2×
- הַ/מָּסָךְ֙2×
- הַ/מָּסָֽךְ\׃2×
- מָסָ֣ךְ\׀1×
- מָסַךְ֙1×
- מָסַ֣ךְ\׀1×
- מָסַ֣ךְ1×
- מָסַ֔ךְ1×
- לַ/מָּסָ֗ךְ1×
- לְ/מָסָ֑ךְ1×
Key Verses
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Exodus 26:36
“You shall make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer.
This verse specifies the materials for the screen at the tent door, showing how beauty and craftsmanship were used to mark sacred space.
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Exodus 40:21
He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the covenant, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Moses sets up the veil of the screen to screen the ark, obeying God’s command to separate the holy from the common.
-
Isaiah 22:8
He took away the covering of Judah; and you looked in that day to the armor in the house of the forest.
The prophet uses the removal of the covering as a metaphor for Judah’s sudden exposure and vulnerability before enemies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does masakh mean in the Bible?
Why is masakh important in Exodus?
How is masakh used in Isaiah?
What is the difference between masakh and other words for curtain?
Every Occurrence (25 verses across 5 books)
Exodus 16 verses
“You shall make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of…
Exodus 26:37You shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold. You…
Exodus 27:16For the gate of the court shall be a screen of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen,…
Exodus 35:12the ark, and its poles, the mercy seat, the veil of the screen;
Exodus 35:15and the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door, at the door of…
Exodus 35:17the hangings of the court, its pillars, their sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court;
Exodus 36:37He made a screen for the door of the tent, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer;
Exodus 38:18The screen for the gate of the court was the work of the embroiderer, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.…
Exodus 39:34the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, the covering of sea cow hides, the veil of the screen,
Exodus 39:38the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door of the Tent,
Exodus 39:40the hangings of the court, its pillars, its sockets, the screen for the gate of the court, its cords, its pins, and all…
Exodus 40:5You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the covenant, and put the screen of the door to the…
Exodus 40:8You shall set up the court around it, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.
Exodus 40:21He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the covenant, as…
Exodus 40:28He put up the screen of the door to the tabernacle.
Exodus 40:33He raised up the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses…