Topical Bible: Punishment: Death Penalty: Hanging

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Hanging as a form of capital punishment is a method that appears in various contexts within the biblical narrative. While the Bible does not provide extensive legal codes specifically prescribing hanging as a method of execution, it does record instances where hanging was employed as a means of enacting the death penalty. This entry explores the biblical references to hanging, its theological implications, and its place within the broader biblical understanding of justice and retribution.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, hanging is mentioned in several instances, often associated with the display of executed bodies rather than the method of execution itself. One of the earliest references is found in the book of Genesis, where Pharaoh's chief baker is hanged after being found guilty of a crime (Genesis 40:19-22). This account illustrates the use of hanging as a form of capital punishment in ancient Egypt, a context familiar to the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 provides a legal framework for dealing with executed criminals: "If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body must not remain on the tree overnight. You must bury him that day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse." This passage indicates that hanging was used as a post-mortem display of the executed, serving as a public warning and a demonstration of divine judgment.

The narrative of the conquest of Canaan includes instances where hanging is employed. In Joshua 8:29 , the king of Ai is hanged on a tree after being defeated by the Israelites. Similarly, in Joshua 10:26 , Joshua executes five Amorite kings and hangs their bodies on trees. These acts underscore the use of hanging as a symbol of victory and divine retribution against those who oppose God's people.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, hanging is most notably associated with the death of Judas Iscariot. After betraying Jesus, Judas is overcome with remorse and hangs himself (Matthew 27:5). While this act is a suicide rather than an execution, it reflects the cultural understanding of hanging as a means of death and the shame associated with it.

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is sometimes metaphorically linked to hanging, as seen in Acts 5:30 : "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree." This reference connects the crucifixion with the Deuteronomic curse, emphasizing the theological significance of Jesus bearing the curse of sin on behalf of humanity.

Theological Implications

Hanging, as depicted in the Bible, carries significant theological weight. It is often associated with divine judgment and the curse of sin. The public display of a hanged body serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. The biblical narrative consistently upholds the principle of justice, where the punishment fits the crime, and hanging serves as a visible manifestation of this justice.

The use of hanging in the Bible also points to the seriousness with which God views sin and the lengths to which He will go to uphold righteousness. The execution and subsequent hanging of criminals serve as a deterrent to others, reinforcing the moral and legal order established by God.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not prescribe hanging as a primary method of execution, its occurrences within the scriptural narrative highlight its role as a symbol of divine justice and retribution. The theological implications of hanging, particularly in relation to the curse of sin, underscore the gravity of sin and the necessity of atonement. Through these accounts, the Bible presents a consistent message of the seriousness of sin and the ultimate justice of God.

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Genesis 40:22
But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
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Deuteronomy 21:22,23
And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and you hang him on a tree:
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Joshua 8:29
And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcass down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remains to this day.
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Library

Thoughts on the Last Battle
... every one of us become subject to the penalty of death ... Where death leaves me, judgment
finds me. ... heretics in these days who talk of short punishment, and preach ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/thoughts on the last battle.htm

Do are Then Make Void the Law through Faith? God Forbid; Yea, we ...
... Rather than do that, I will take the punishment myself. ... Suppose a man was under sentence
of death for rebel ... The moment he finds the penalty set aside, and that ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/do are then make void.htm

On the Atonement.
... the curse of the law"not the literal penalty, but a ... The only account to be given
of His death is, that He ... say of him, "Of how much sorer punishment shall he ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/xii on the atonement.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... and such a magistrate to inflict the penalty, that for ... and now will vexation be mixed
with punishment, and that ... a rush, that Christ by his death hath taken ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

Christ Our Passover
... Romans practised in the form of strangling, that mode of punishment does not ... the
crucifixion, must be struck by the fact that the penalty and death of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ our passover.htm

How
... 1. About this time, upon the death of Onias the ... voluntarily, or out of fear of the
penalty that was ... of their country than concern as to the punishment which he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how.htm

(On the Passion, viii. : on Wednesday in Holy Week. )
... release Barabbas and thus, Jesus bear the penalty of the ... the bearer of His own
instrument of death, that what ... with Jesus to the place of punishment, a certain ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lix on the passion.htm

Between the Two Appearings
... The punishment of sin was, "In the day that thou ... put away the sin which involved
us under the penalty. ... His death was needful; but, blessed be God, having been ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/between the two appearings.htm

Recapitulation of Former Exhortations. ...
... not how He may make him pay the penalty, but how ... these things, and placing before
our eyes the punishment that is ... [1337] Or, "defied death," katetolmesan tes ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily vii recapitulation of former.htm

The Gospel the Power of God
... of guilt, the tremendous outlook of penalty, the impossibility ... A propitiatory sacrifice
averts punishment from the offerer ... The death of the victim procures the ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the gospel the power of.htm