Deu 21:22-23 | TNotes | STEP | 21:22 hung on a tree: This was not the method of execution, at least in this text. It was a shameful display of those already put to death for capital offenses, probably to show the Lord’s hatred of sin and to deter others who might commit such acts (see also Gen 40:19 , 22 ; Josh 10:26 ; 2 Sam 4:12 ; 21:12 ; Esth 2:23 ; 7:10 ).

a21:22►

bGen 40:19►

c22►

dJosh 10:26►

e2 Sam 4:12►

f21:12►

gEsth 2:23►

h7:10►

i21:23►

jGal 3:13►

‏ Deuteronomy 21:22-23

21:22 ^a hung on a tree: This was not the method of execution, at least in this text. It was a shameful display of those already put to death for capital offenses, probably to show the Lord’s hatred of sin and to deter others who might commit such acts (see also Gen 40:19 ^b, 22 ^c; Josh 10:26 ^d; 2 Sam 4:12 ^e; 21:12 ^f; Esth 2:23 ^g; 7:10 ^h).
21:23 ⁱ for anyone who is hung: The Greek version reads for everyone who is hung on a tree. Cp. Gal 3:13 ^j, which explains how this proverb applies to Jesus.

• cursed in the sight of God: Unrepentant sinners do fall under God’s judgment. However, the idea of this proverb is probably that whoever saw a person in this condition would naturally conclude that God had cursed that person, when in fact the person could have been misjudged or even lynched.