Deuteronomy 21:22-23

Cursed Is Anyone Hung on a Tree

22 If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, ^[a]

23 you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. ^[b] You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 21

This chapter treats of the beheading of the heifer, for the expiation of unknown murder, and the rules to be observed in it, De 21:1-9 of a beautiful captive woman an Israelite is desirous of having for his wife, and what methods he must take to accomplish it, De 21:10-14, of giving the double portion to the firstborn, which he must not be deprived of in favour of the son of a beloved wife, De 21:15-17 and of the stubborn and rebellious son, who remaining so must be put to death, De 21:18-21 and of burying a person hanged on a tree the same day he is executed, De 21:22,23.

Footnotes

• [a] Or impale his body on a pole; similarly in verse 23
• [b] LXX; Hebrew anyone who is hanged is under God’s curse; cited in Galatians 3:13