Deuteronomy 21:22

KJV

And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:

KJV (with Strong's)

And if a man {H376} have committed a sin {H2399} worthy of {H4941} death {H4194}, and he be to be put to death {H4191}, and thou hang {H8518} him on a tree {H6086}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"If someone has committed a capital crime and is put to death, then hung on a tree,

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 21:22 presents a specific judicial stipulation within the Mosaic Law concerning capital punishment, mandating that if an individual commits a capital offense and is executed, their body may be publicly displayed by hanging on a tree or pole. This act was not typically the method of execution itself but a post-mortem exhibition designed to signify extreme disgrace, publicly acknowledge the severity of the offense, and serve as a powerful deterrent, all while underscoring the defiling nature of grievous sin in the sight of a holy God and the necessity of prompt burial.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a substantial legal corpus in Deuteronomy (chapters 12-26), which comprises various statutes and ordinances delivered by Moses to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Specifically, it belongs to a cluster of judicial laws (Deuteronomy 19-25) addressing matters of crime, punishment, and the maintenance of societal order. Deuteronomy 21 itself covers diverse legal scenarios, from the expiation of unsolved murders to regulations concerning marriage with female captives. The law regarding the hanged man, found in [Deuteronomy 21:22-23](/deuteronomy/21-22-23 "Deuteronomy 21:22-23 - The Hanged Man and His Burial"), functions as a stark conclusion to this segment on judicial procedures, immediately preceding laws pertaining to property rights and social responsibilities. The subsequent imperative to bury the body before nightfall in [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Burial of the Accursed") is intrinsically linked, highlighting the transient nature of the public display and the urgent need to prevent further defilement of the land.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the broader ancient Near East, the public display of executed criminals was a widespread practice, frequently employed to humiliate the individual and instill fear in potential offenders. However, Israelite law, as articulated here, uniquely regulated this custom. Unlike some surrounding cultures where impalement or hanging might serve as the primary method of execution, in Israel, capital punishment was typically carried out through stoning, burning, or strangulation. Hanging on a "tree" or pole was generally a post-execution act, serving as a public declaration of the individual's extreme disgrace and divine curse. This practice was further distinguished by its strict requirement for burial before sundown, a humane and theological distinction from other cultures that might leave bodies exposed for days. This rapid burial prevented prolonged defilement of the land, as the presence of a cursed body was considered an abomination, thereby ensuring the land remained holy for God's people, reflecting principles articulated in [Numbers 35:33](/numbers/35-33 "Numbers 35:33 - Defilement of the Land").

* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully underscores several core themes. Firstly, **Divine Justice and Holiness** are paramount, demonstrating God's absolute demand for righteousness and the severe consequences for capital offenses, particularly those that defile the community and the land. The public display served as a visible manifestation of this justice and the gravity of sin. Secondly, the theme of **The Curse of God** is explicitly introduced in the subsequent verse, [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - The Curse of God"), which declares that "he that is hanged is accursed of God." This concept is central, signifying a state of profound alienation from God's favor due to grievous sin. Lastly, the theme of **Cleansing and Preventing Defilement of the Land** is crucial. The law's immediate follow-up to bury the body before nightfall underscores the belief that leaving a "cursed" body exposed would pollute the land, rendering it unfit for God's presence and His people. This ritual act was an essential component of maintaining the covenant purity of Israel, a concept woven throughout the Pentateuch, as seen in [Leviticus 18:25](/leviticus/18-25 "Leviticus 18:25 - Land Vomiting Out Inhabitants").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sin (Hebrew, _chêṭᵉʼ_):** From H2399, this term broadly refers to missing the mark, falling short of God's standard, or transgressing His law. In this context, it specifically denotes a capital offense, a transgression so severe that it warrants the ultimate penalty, indicating a profound breach of the covenant and a defilement that impacts the community and the land.
* **hang (Hebrew, _tâlâh'_):** From H8518, this primitive root means to suspend, especially to gibbet. In the context of judicial punishment and public display, it specifically refers to suspending a body, usually post-mortem, on a pole or tree. It signifies public shame, disgrace, and a visible declaration of divine judgment rather than the method of execution itself.
* **tree (Hebrew, _ʻêts_):** From H6086, this versatile word can refer to a living tree, wood, timber, or a wooden pole or stake. In this specific legal context, it denotes the wooden structure upon which the executed body was publicly displayed. Its simplicity and commonality made it an accessible means for public exhibition of shame and judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death,"**: This opening clause establishes the fundamental prerequisite for the entire procedure: the individual must have committed an offense that, according to the Mosaic Law, carries the penalty of capital punishment. This immediately sets the context within the realm of severe transgressions against God's covenant and societal order, indicating a crime of grave consequence.
* **"and he be to be put to death,"**: This phrase clarifies that the individual has undergone due legal process, been tried, found guilty, and sentenced to execution. It emphasizes that the act of "hanging on a tree" is not the means of execution itself, but rather a subsequent action performed on a body already deceased, underscoring the judicial process leading to the ultimate penalty.
* **"and thou hang him on a tree:"**: This final clause provides the specific instruction for the public display of the executed criminal. The "tree" (or pole/stake) serves as the instrument of public exhibition, signifying the extreme disgrace and divine judgment associated with the capital offense. This act was a visual deterrent and a public acknowledgment of the severity of the crime and its consequences for the individual and the community.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Legal Language** is foundational, as the verse is presented as a direct, prescriptive law, typical of the Deuteronomic code, using conditional clauses ("if... then...") to outline specific judicial procedures. The phrase "worthy of death" functions as a **Euphemism** for capital offenses, indicating the severity without explicitly listing the specific crimes. The act of "hanging on a tree" is a potent **Symbolism** of public shame, disgrace, and divine curse, a visual representation of the ultimate consequence of sin against God's law. This imagery is not merely descriptive but carries profound theological weight, foreshadowing its later reinterpretation in the New Testament. The brevity and directness of the command contribute to its **Didactic** purpose, serving as a clear instruction for the Israelite judiciary and a stark warning to the populace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 21:22, especially when read with its immediate successor, [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - The Curse of God"), profoundly illustrates the gravity of sin and the uncompromising nature of God's justice under the Old Covenant. The public display of the executed criminal underscored that certain sins carried not only a physical death penalty but also a spiritual curse, a state of being "accursed of God." This law served as a stark reminder of the defiling power of sin and the necessity of ritual purity for the land and the people of Israel. It highlighted God's holiness and His intolerance for unrighteousness, establishing a theological framework for understanding the concept of divine judgment and the consequences of rebellion against His commands.

* [Numbers 25:4](/numbers/25-4 "Numbers 25:4 - Hanging of the Leaders")
* [Joshua 8:29](/joshua/8-29 "Joshua 8:29 - Hanging of the King of Ai")
* [1 Samuel 31:10](/1_samuel/31-10 "1 Samuel 31:10 - Hanging of Saul's Body")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 21:22, though detailing an ancient judicial practice, offers profound insights into the nature of sin, justice, and God's holiness that remain deeply relevant for believers today. It compels us to recognize the extreme seriousness with which God views sin, particularly those transgressions that bring defilement and disruption to His created order and His people. The public display of the "cursed" body served as a stark, tangible reminder that sin has ultimate consequences, not just for the individual but for the community and the land itself. For us, this should cultivate a deep reverence for God's standards and a sober understanding of the destructive power of sin in our lives and in the world. It calls us to reflect on the immense cost of our redemption and the radical grace that has delivered us from the curse that our own sin would have justly incurred. This passage, therefore, should lead us to greater gratitude for the atoning work of Christ and a renewed commitment to living lives that honor God's holiness, seeking to cleanse our own hearts and contribute to the purity of the church community.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this ancient law deepen your understanding of the severity of sin in God's eyes?**
* **What does the concept of a "cursed" body, and its necessary removal, teach us about the defiling nature of sin?**
* **In what ways does this passage prepare our hearts to appreciate the New Testament's message of redemption from the curse?**
* **How can understanding God's uncompromising justice in the Old Testament enhance our appreciation for His mercy and grace revealed in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Was "hanging on a tree" the actual method of execution in ancient Israel?**

Answer: No, in most cases, "hanging on a tree" (or pole/stake) was not the primary method of execution in ancient Israel. Capital punishment typically involved stoning, burning, or strangulation, depending on the specific offense. The act described in [Deuteronomy 21:22](/deuteronomy/21-22 "Deuteronomy 21:22 - The Hanged Man") was usually a post-mortem display of a body that had already been put to death. This public exhibition served as a powerful symbol of extreme disgrace and divine judgment, signifying that the individual had committed a sin so grievous as to be considered "accursed of God," as explicitly stated in [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - The Curse of God"). The body was then required to be removed and buried before nightfall to prevent further defilement of the land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 21:22, particularly in conjunction with [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - The Curse of God") ("For he that is hanged is accursed of God"), finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. The Apostle Paul directly references this passage in [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse"), declaring, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." Jesus, though utterly sinless, willingly took upon Himself the full weight of humanity's sin and its resulting curse. His death on the cross, a "tree" or wooden stake, was not merely a physical execution but a divine act where He absorbed the public shame, the divine wrath, and the spiritual alienation that our sins justly deserved. By becoming "a curse for us," Jesus bore the very judgment and defilement symbolized by the hanged man in Deuteronomy, thereby redeeming us from the law's condemnation and reconciling us to God. This ultimate sacrifice demonstrates the unfathomable depth of God's love and mercy, providing a way for us to be declared righteous and free from the curse of sin, as beautifully articulated in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). Through His crucifixion, Jesus transformed the symbol of ultimate curse into the means of ultimate blessing and salvation for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 19:31

¶ The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and [that] they might be taken away.

John 19:38

¶ And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave [him] leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

Acts 26:31

And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

Luke 23:33

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Deuteronomy 22:26

But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; [there is] in the damsel no sin [worthy] of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so [is] this matter:

Matthew 26:66

What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

Acts 23:29

Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.