Deuteronomy 21:23
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.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָלִ֨ין
shall not remain all night
H3885
תָלִ֨ין
shall not remain all night
Strong's:
H3885
Word #:
2 of 24
to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)
נִבְלָת֜וֹ
His body
H5038
נִבְלָת֜וֹ
His body
Strong's:
H5038
Word #:
3 of 24
a flabby thing, i.e., a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָעֵ֗ץ
upon the tree
H6086
הָעֵ֗ץ
upon the tree
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
5 of 24
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בַּיּ֣וֹם
him that day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
him that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
9 of 24
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֔וּא
H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
10 of 24
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
of God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 24
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תְטַמֵּא֙
be not defiled
H2930
תְטַמֵּא֙
be not defiled
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
16 of 24
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֣ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
20 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
of God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
21 of 24
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Galatians 3:13Christ 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:John 19:31The 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.2 Corinthians 5:21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.Romans 9:3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:Leviticus 18:25And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.Numbers 25:4And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.
Historical Context
Ancient warfare often displayed enemy corpses as deterrent. Israel was forbidden such practice. Joshua hung five kings but removed them at sunset (Joshua 10:26-27). Jesus's crucifixion occurred before Passover; Jews requested removal before Sabbath (John 19:31), fulfilling this law. Christ's burial before nightfall satisfied Deuteronomic requirement. His bearing the curse ('he that is hanged is accursed') means believers escape curse—He took our condemnation. The law's mercy (burial requirement) foreshadowed gospel grace (Christ bearing curse so we're blessed).
Questions for Reflection
- How does even criminals requiring dignified burial reflect universal human dignity as image-bearers?
- What does Christ becoming 'cursed' on the tree mean for believers' legal standing before God?
- How does the cross transform the symbol of ultimate curse into the means of ultimate blessing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Burial requirement: '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.' Executed criminals hung on trees/poles must be buried same day. The phrase 'he that is hanged is accursed of God' (קִלְלַת אֱלֹהִים תָּלוּי, qilelat elohim talui) indicates divine curse on the sin/criminal. Leaving corpses overnight defiles the land. This shows even criminals retain human dignity—created in God's image. Quick burial limits public shame while maintaining justice. Paul applies this to Christ: 'cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree' (Galatians 3:13)—Jesus bore covenant curse for sinners, becoming cursed on the cross.