The phrase "Cursed is anyone hung on a tree" originates from the Old Testament and is found in Deuteronomy 21:22-23. The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage as follows: "If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, you must not leave the body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance."

This law was part of the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the need for purification of the land. The hanging of a body on a tree was not the method of execution but rather a public display of the executed individual, signifying that the person was under God's curse. The requirement to bury the body the same day was to prevent defilement of the land, underscoring the holiness and purity that God demanded from His people.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul references this Old Testament law in Galatians 3:13, where he writes, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'" . Paul uses this reference to explain the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. By being crucified, Jesus took upon Himself the curse that was due to humanity because of sin. The crucifixion, a form of execution that involved being hung on a wooden cross, is seen as the fulfillment of this curse, as Jesus bore the sins of the world.

Theologically, this concept is significant in understanding the doctrine of atonement. Jesus, though sinless, became the curse for us, taking the punishment that was rightfully ours. This act of substitutionary atonement is central to Christian belief, highlighting the depth of God's love and the extent of Christ's sacrifice.

The phrase also serves as a reminder of the gravity of sin and the holiness of God. It illustrates the separation between God and humanity due to sin and the necessity of a mediator to bridge that gap. Jesus, by becoming the curse, reconciled humanity to God, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe.

In summary, "Cursed is anyone hung on a tree" is a profound biblical concept that connects the Old Testament law with the New Testament fulfillment in Christ. It underscores the seriousness of sin, the holiness of God, and the redemptive work of Jesus, who bore the curse on our behalf.