Deuteronomy 21:23 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The executed criminal must be buried the same day to keep the land clean and undefiled.
The Context of Deuteronomy 21:23
Bodies of the executed must be buried before nightfall to preserve the land's holiness.
What Does Deuteronomy 21:23 Mean?
Even though the body is displayed as a warning, it cannot remain exposed overnight. The law insists on same-day burial, showing respect for human dignity even in death and preventing the corpse from defiling the land. This expresses a fundamental belief that the land itself is holy and cannot be left in a state of ritual impurity.
The parenthetical note—'he that is hanged is accursed of God'—explains why the law moves toward burial: to remove the curse-mark from the land. The executed man is already deemed accursed; allowing his body to persist would extend that curse to the inheritance itself. Burial returns the land to a state of blessing.
Deuteronomy 21:23 in the Original Language
kinnat (קִנְּאַת), 'accursed'—marked by God's curse, requiring removal and expiation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 21:23
What does Deuteronomy 21:23 mean?
The executed criminal must be buried the same day to keep the land clean and undefiled.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 21:23?
Bodies of the executed must be buried before nightfall to preserve the land's holiness.