Original Word: מָסָךְ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: macak
Pronunciation: maw-sawk'
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-sawk')
KJV: covering, curtain, hanging
NASB: screen, veil, covering, defense, screening
Word Origin: [from H5526 (סָכַך שָׂכַך - To cover)]

1. a cover, i.e. veil

covering, curtain, hanging

From cakak; a cover, i.e. Veil -- covering, curtain, hanging.

see HEBREW cakak

Word Origin
from sakak
Definition
a covering, screen
NASB Translation
covering (2), defense (1), screen (16), screening (1), veil (5).

מָסָךְ noun [masculine] covering, screen; — absolute ׳מ 2 Samuel 17:19 11t.; construct מָסַךְ Isaiah 22:8 12t.; —

1 covering, large cloth spread (פרשׂ) over well to hide persons within 2 Samuel 17:19; figurative of protection, or of eye-screen, יְהוּדָה ׳וַיְגַל אֶתמֿ Isaiah 22:8; screen, of cloud Psalm 105:39 (פרשׂ).

2 name given (in P) to each of three screens, of tabernacle:

a. at gate (שַׁעַר) of court Exodus 27:16; Exodus 35:17; Exodus 38:18; Exodus 39:40; Exodus 40:8,33; Numbers 3:26 (מֶּתַח), Numbers 4:26.

b. at entrance (מֶּתַח) of tent Exodus 26:36,37; Exodus 35:15; Exodus 36:37; Exodus 39:38; Exodus 40:5,28; Numbers 3:25,31; Numbers 4:25,

c. ׳מָּרֹכֶת הַמּ (see ׳פ), dividing off the Most Holy Place within the tent, Exodus 35:12; Exodus 39:34; Exodus 40:21; Numbers 4:5.

Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 4539 designates a woven screen or curtain that serves as a protective or ornamental covering. Scripture most often places it within the Tabernacle complex, yet the word also appears in military, domestic, historical, and prophetic settings, giving the term a rich theological and practical range.

Primary Occurrences and Literary Setting

• Twenty of the twenty-five references cluster in Exodus and Numbers, describing the construction, display, and transport of the Tabernacle textiles (for example, Exodus 26:36; Numbers 4:25).
• Two passages narrate household or clandestine use (2 Samuel 17:19; Isaiah 22:8).
• Psalm 105:39 uses the word poetically for the wilderness cloud.
• Isaiah 22:8 shifts the image from provision to judgment.

Tabernacle Architecture

1. Screen for the Tent Entrance – “You are to make a screen for the entrance to the tent, of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, the work of an embroiderer.” (Exodus 26:36)
2. Gate Curtain of the Courtyard – “The gate of the courtyard shall be twenty cubits long, with a curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely spun linen…” (Exodus 27:16)
3. Interior Placement – Though distinct from the innermost veil (paroket) that shielded the Ark, the masak defined transitional thresholds—entry into the Tent of Meeting and access into the outer court.
4. Portable Sanctity – Numbers 3–4 assigns the Gershonites responsibility to disassemble, carry, and re-erect the screens during Israel’s journeys, underscoring that holiness traveled with the people rather than residing in a fixed shrine.

Guardianship of Sacred Space

By limiting sightlines and foot traffic, the curtain preserved the honor of God’s presence while simultaneously inviting worshipers to approach through a clearly appointed doorway. The dual function—concealment and welcome—mirrors the balance of reverence and accessibility that pervades covenant worship.

Domestic and Military Usage

• 2 Samuel 17:19 records a wife spreading a masak over a well to hide David’s courier. The same item that fenced sacred precincts here protects covenant purposes in a household setting.
• Isaiah 22:8 laments, “He removed the protection of Judah,” portraying the national curtain of defense as withdrawn because of unbelief. The physical image becomes a spiritual metaphor: remove the covering and exposure follows.

Divine Covering in the Wilderness

Psalm 105:39 celebrates, “He spread a cloud as a covering and fire to light up the night.” The inspired writer selects masak to liken Yahweh’s cloud to a colossal sanctuary curtain suspended in the sky—heaven’s own drapery sheltering the trek of redemption.

Theological Threads

1. Mediated Access – Every screen points to the reality that sinners require a God-appointed doorway.
2. Holiness and Beauty – Embroidered workmanship displays that holiness is not austere but adorned with ordered beauty.
3. Divine Initiative – Whether in canvas, cloud, or national defense, the covering originates from God, not humanity.

Christological Foreshadowing

John 10:9 presents Jesus saying, “I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved.” The Tabernacle masak, the only legitimate entrance into fellowship and sacrifice, anticipates the incarnate Mediator. When the crucifixion torn the inner veil, the outer screen’s symbolism reached fulfillment: access through Christ alone, now fully opened.

Levitical and Modern Ministry Implications

• Faithful stewardship of sacred trust—just as the Gershonites safeguarded the curtains, the church is charged to handle the gospel with reverence.
• Worship design—order, beauty, and clarity in corporate gatherings echo the principle embodied in the embroidered screen.
• Spiritual covering—intercession and pastoral care function as protective drapery for God’s people, reminding believers that exposure to hostile forces is curtailed under divine provision.

Summary

Across Exodus, Numbers, the Historical Books, Psalms, and Isaiah, the masak operates as threshold, shield, and emblem of covenant grace. It magnifies the holiness of God, the necessity of ordained access, and the promise of ultimate shelter realized in Jesus Christ.

הַמָּסָ֑ךְ הַמָּסָ֔ךְ הַמָּסָֽךְ׃ הַמָּסָךְ֙ המסך המסך׃ וְהַ֨מָּסָ֔ךְ וּמָסַ֕ךְ וּמָסַ֞ךְ והמסך ומסך לְמָסָ֑ךְ לַמָּסָ֗ךְ למסך מָסַ֔ךְ מָסַ֖ךְ מָסַ֣ךְ מָסַ֣ךְ ׀ מָסַ֥ךְ מָסַךְ֙ מָסָ֣ךְ ׀ מָסָךְ֙ מסך ham·mā·sāḵ hammaSach hammāsāḵ hammasoCh lam·mā·sāḵ lammaSach lammāsāḵ lə·mā·sāḵ lemaSach ləmāsāḵ mā·saḵ mā·sāḵ maSach māsaḵ māsāḵ masoCh ū·mā·saḵ umaSach ūmāsaḵ veHammaSach wə·ham·mā·sāḵ wəhammāsāḵInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts