Deuteronomy 21:23

KJV

His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.

KJV (with Strong's)

His body {H5038} shall not remain all night {H3885} upon the tree {H6086}, but thou shalt in any wise {H6912} bury {H6912} him that day {H3117};(for he that is hanged {H8518} is accursed {H7045} of God {H430};) that thy land {H127} be not defiled {H2930}, which the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} giveth {H5414} thee for an inheritance {H5159}.

Complete Jewish Bible

his body is not to remain all night on the tree, but you must bury him the same day, because a person who has been hanged has been cursed by God -so that you will not defile your land, which ADONAI your God is giving you to inherit.

Berean Standard Bible

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. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

American Standard Version

his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt surely bury him the same day; for he that is hanged is accursed of God; that thou defile not thy land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 21:23 presents a crucial legal and theological directive within Israel's covenant law, mandating the immediate burial of any person executed and publicly displayed by hanging on a tree. This command, rooted in the understanding that such a person is "accursed of God," underscores the profound seriousness of divine judgment, the necessity of maintaining the land's holiness, and the distinct Israelite emphasis on human dignity even in death, preventing prolonged defilement of the sacred inheritance given by the LORD.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 21:23 is situated within a broader section of civil, criminal, and ceremonial laws (Deuteronomy 21-25) that detail the proper functioning of Israelite society under the Mosaic Covenant. This specific law follows directives concerning unsolved murders, marriage to female captives, and the rights of the firstborn, preceding regulations on various aspects of daily life and community purity. The inclusion of this law immediately after capital offenses highlights the gravity of divine judgment and the meticulous care required to maintain ritual and moral purity within the covenant community, demonstrating God's concern for both justice and holiness in every aspect of Israel's existence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the public display of executed criminals, often by impalement or hanging, was a common practice intended as a deterrent and a demonstration of power by rulers. However, Israel's law in Deuteronomy 21:23 stands in stark contrast to these customs by explicitly forbidding the body from remaining overnight. This unique prohibition reflects Israel's distinct theological understanding of defilement and the sanctity of human life, even that of a condemned criminal. Unlike surrounding nations who might leave bodies exposed for days as a further act of humiliation, Israel was commanded to bury the body before sunset, reflecting a foundational respect for human dignity and, more importantly, preventing the land itself from becoming ritually impure.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several key themes central to Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **divine holiness and the seriousness of sin**, where a person "hanged [is] accursed of God," signifying a profound state of divine judgment and separation. This curse is not merely human condemnation but a direct pronouncement from the Almighty. Secondly, the passage emphasizes the **sanctity and purity of the land**, which is described as an "inheritance" from the LORD. The land was a sacred trust, and its defilement through unholy acts, including the prolonged exposure of an accursed body, could jeopardize Israel's continued dwelling in it. This theme resonates with other warnings against land defilement found throughout the Torah, such as in [Leviticus 18:25](/leviticus/18-25 "Leviticus 18:25 - The Land Vomits Out Its Inhabitants") where the land is said to "vomit out" its inhabitants due to their abominations, or [Numbers 35:33-34](/numbers/35-33 "Numbers 35:33-34 - Defiling the Land with Bloodshed") which warns against defiling the land with bloodshed. Finally, the law subtly highlights a **respect for the dead**, even those under divine curse, by mandating prompt burial, thereby distinguishing Israelite practice from more barbaric ancient customs and upholding a basic level of human dignity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hanged (Hebrew, _tālûy'_):** This term refers to the act of suspending a body, typically on a tree or a stake, after execution. While it served as a public display of the consequences of capital offenses, in the Israelite context, it specifically designated a person as being under a unique, severe divine curse. It was not the method of execution itself (which was often stoning or other means), but the subsequent public display that carried this particular theological weight.
* **Accursed (Hebrew, _qilělath 'ĕlōhîm'_):** Literally meaning "a curse of God" or "God's curse," this phrase powerfully conveys that the judgment is not merely human or societal but originates directly from God Himself. It signifies a state of profound alienation from divine favor and presence, marking the individual as utterly condemned in the eyes of the Almighty. This divine curse is the primary theological impetus for the immediate burial.
* **Defiled (Hebrew, _ṭāmē'_):** This word denotes a state of ritual impurity or uncleanness. In the Israelite worldview, defilement was not just a physical state but carried spiritual implications, hindering one's ability to approach God or participate in sacred rituals. Leaving an "accursed" body exposed would ritually pollute the land, rendering it impure and thereby threatening the covenant relationship between God and His people, who were meant to dwell in a holy land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"His body shall not remain all night upon the tree,"**: This initial clause sets the strict prohibition. Regardless of the severity of the crime or the public nature of the execution, the body of the condemned person must not be left exposed overnight. This command immediately distinguishes Israelite practice from that of surrounding nations who often left bodies exposed for extended periods as a deterrent or further humiliation. The emphasis is on promptness and the avoidance of prolonged exposure.
* **"but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day;"**: This is the positive command, directly countering the prohibition. The imperative "thou shalt in any wise bury him" underscores the absolute necessity of interment before the day ends. This immediate burial ensures that the land is not defiled by the prolonged presence of a body under divine curse, and it also reflects a basic level of human dignity, even for a condemned criminal.
* **"(for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God;)"**: This parenthetical clause provides the profound theological rationale for the preceding commands. The act of being "hanged on a tree" serves as a visible sign of being under a unique and severe divine curse. It is not merely human judgment, but God's own condemnation that renders the body so potent a source of defilement, necessitating its swift removal from the land.
* **"that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance."**: This final clause states the ultimate purpose and consequence of the law. The immediate burial is crucial to prevent the defilement of the land. The land of Israel is not mere territory; it is a sacred "inheritance" given by the LORD to His covenant people. Its purity is paramount, as defilement could jeopardize Israel's continued dwelling in God's holy presence within that land.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 21:23 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the "tree" on which the condemned person is hanged becomes a powerful symbol of divine curse and ultimate rejection. It is not just a physical object but a visual representation of God's severe judgment against sin. The verse also utilizes a clear **Legal Formula**, presenting a prescriptive law with a direct command ("shalt not remain," "shalt bury") followed by its theological justification ("for he that is hanged is accursed of God") and its intended outcome ("that thy land be not defiled"). This structure is typical of Deuteronomic law. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Cause and Effect**, where the act of being hanged (cause) leads to being accursed of God (effect), which in turn necessitates immediate burial (response) to prevent the defilement of the land (consequence). Finally, the phrase "which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance" employs **Covenantal Language**, reminding the audience of their unique relationship with Yahweh and the sacred nature of the land, reinforcing the theological gravity of the command.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 21:23 profoundly illustrates the absolute holiness of God and the gravity with which He views sin and its consequences. The concept of a person being "accursed of God" for being hanged on a tree underscores that certain acts bring about a state of profound divine disfavor and separation. This is not merely a human legal pronouncement but a theological declaration of God's righteous judgment. The law also highlights the intricate connection between the moral and ritual purity of the people and the sanctity of the land God had graciously given them as an inheritance. Defilement, whether moral or ritual, was understood to have tangible consequences, threatening the very presence of God among His people and their continued enjoyment of His blessings in the Promised Land. This meticulous concern for purity, even concerning the dead, reflects God's desire for His people to live in a manner that consistently honors His holiness and maintains the integrity of their covenant relationship.

* [Leviticus 18:25](/leviticus/18-25 "Leviticus 18:25 - The Land Vomits Out Its Inhabitants")
* [Numbers 35:33-34](/numbers/35-33 "Numbers 35:33-34 - Defiling the Land with Bloodshed")
* [Joshua 8:29](/joshua/8-29 "Joshua 8:29 - Burial of the King of Ai")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 21:23, though an ancient legal directive, offers timeless principles for reflection and application in contemporary life. It reminds us of the profound seriousness of sin in God's eyes and the reality of divine judgment. Even in the context of capital punishment, God's law mandated a measure of dignity for the deceased, preventing prolonged humiliation and defilement. This challenges us to consider how we treat those who are condemned or marginalized in our own societies, urging us towards compassion and respect for human dignity even amidst justice. Furthermore, the emphasis on the land's purity serves as a powerful metaphor for the sanctity of the spaces and relationships God has entrusted to us—our homes, communities, churches, and even our own bodies. Just as Israel was called to prevent the defilement of their physical inheritance, we are called to maintain spiritual and moral purity in the "land" God has given us, ensuring that our lives reflect His holiness and honor His presence among us. This verse prompts us to consider the far-reaching consequences of our actions, not only for ourselves but for the broader spiritual and physical environment around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of a person being "accursed of God" deepen our understanding of the gravity of sin and God's holiness?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, contribute to the "defilement" or "sanctification" of the spiritual "land" (our communities, churches, or personal lives) that God has entrusted to us?**
* **What principles can we draw from this ancient law regarding justice, human dignity, and the treatment of those who are condemned in our modern context?**

### FAQ

**Why was being "hanged on a tree" considered so uniquely accursed in Israelite law?**

Answer: The act of being "hanged on a tree" was a public display of ultimate disgrace and divine rejection. While capital punishment itself was a consequence of severe sin, the specific act of hanging a body on a tree after execution, and thus exposing it, was understood as a visible sign that the individual was under a unique and profound "curse of God" (`qilělath 'ĕlōhîm`). This was not merely a human judgment but a theological declaration that God Himself had condemned the individual, making the body a source of extreme ritual impurity that could defile the sacred land. It signified a complete separation from God's favor and the covenant community.

**How does this law compare to the practices of other ancient Near Eastern cultures regarding executed criminals?**

Answer: This law stands in stark contrast to the practices of many surrounding ancient Near Eastern cultures. While public display of executed bodies was common as a deterrent (e.g., impalement or hanging), these cultures often left bodies exposed for extended periods—days or even weeks—as a further act of humiliation and a demonstration of the ruler's power. Israel's law, however, strictly mandated immediate burial before nightfall. This unique prohibition highlights Israel's distinct theological understanding of human dignity, even in death, and, more importantly, the critical importance of preventing ritual defilement of the land, which was considered holy and an inheritance from the LORD.

**Does this law imply that the executed person's sin was unforgivable, or that they were eternally condemned?**

Answer: The law in Deuteronomy 21:23 speaks to the *temporal* and *covenantal* consequences of sin within the Israelite community and its impact on the land. Being "accursed of God" in this context refers to a state of profound divine judgment and public disgrace in this life, signifying a breaking of the covenant and a defilement of the community. It does not necessarily speak to the eternal destiny of the individual's soul. While the physical act and its consequences were severe, the biblical narrative often leaves the ultimate spiritual state of individuals to God's sovereign judgment. The focus here is on the purity of the land and the community in the present.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 21:23 finds its most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul explicitly connects this Old Testament law to Christ's atoning work in [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse"), declaring, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.'" Jesus, though perfectly sinless, willingly took upon Himself the full weight of humanity's sin and its consequent divine curse. By being "hanged on a tree" (the cross), He became the ultimate embodiment of the one "accursed of God," absorbing the judgment that was due to us. His death on the cross, a public display of shame and suffering, was God's chosen means to bear the curse of sin, so that we, who were truly accursed by our transgressions, might be redeemed and receive the blessing of Abraham, which is justification by faith. Just as the body of the accursed was to be removed from the land to prevent defilement, Christ's death and subsequent burial removed the curse of sin from humanity, paving the way for spiritual purity and reconciliation with God. His sacrifice is the ultimate act of cleansing, allowing us to inherit the true spiritual "land" of God's kingdom and eternal life, free from the defilement of sin, as [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins on the Tree") affirms that He "himself bore our sins in his body on the tree."

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.