What is the Meaning of Gallows in Scripture?
There was another man who prophesied in the name of the Lord, Uriah the son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim. He prophesied against this city and against this land in words like those of Jeremiah. And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his warriors and all the officials, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah heard of it, he was afraid and fled and escaped to Egypt. But King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt, Elnathan the son of Achbor and others with him, And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his warriors and all the officials, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah heard of it, he was afraid and fled and escaped to Egypt.
Key Facts
Term Name
Gallows
Term Type
Symbol
Purpose
To convey divine judgment and the consequences of covenantal disobedience.
Biblical Example
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (hanging as a covenantal curse)
Key Takeaways
- Gallows in the Bible symbolize divine judgment and covenantal consequences.
- Deuteronomy 21:22-23 links hanging to public warnings and covenant curses.
- Galatians 3:13 reinterprets gallows as a symbol of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice.
What is a gallows?
The gallows in the Bible refers to a wooden structure used for public execution by hanging, often symbolizing divine judgment or societal punishment.
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 describes the practice of hanging a criminal’s body on a tree as a deterrent, while 2 Kings 23:25-27 records King Josiah’s destruction of idolatrous sites, including a reference to the gallows where false religious practices were associated with judgment.
Biblical Usage and Symbolism of Gallows
In Scripture, gallows function as both historical instruments of capital punishment and symbolic representations of divine retribution.
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 explicitly links hanging a criminal’s body on a tree to covenant curses, declaring the disgrace as a public warning and emphasizing God’s demand for justice. In 2 Kings 23:25-27, King Josiah’s destruction of idolatrous sites - including the 'gallows' associated with false worship - symbolizes the eradication of practices defying God’s covenant. These passages connect gallows to the consequences of disobedience, framing them as tools through which divine judgment is enacted.
The gallows thus serve as a stark reminder of the biblical theme that covenant faithfulness carries tangible rewards, while rebellion invites communal and individual accountability. This imagery reinforces the seriousness of moral and spiritual choices in the biblical worldview.
Theological Implications of Gallows in Scripture
In Scripture, the gallows hold deep theological meaning, serving as a metaphor for the consequences of sin and Christ's redemptive role.
Deuteronomy 21:23 states, 'His body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged person is cursed by God' - linking the gallows to divine judgment and covenantal curses. This passage underscores that the gallows symbolize the severing of relationship with God due to unrepentant sin. Galatians 3:13, however, reorients this imagery: 'Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us - for us who hang on the tree.' Here, the cross of Christ transforms the gallows into an instrument of salvation, where God’s justice and mercy intersect. This theological pivot reveals that while sin incurs judgment, God’s grace offers a way to reconcile humanity to Himself through Christ’s sacrificial death.
These texts teach that God is both just and merciful, upholding moral order while providing a path to redemption. The gallows, thus, become a bridge between the gravity of sin’s consequences and the transformative power of Christ’s atonement, which lies at the heart of salvation.
How to Read Gallows Correctly
To interpret 'gallows' biblically, distinguish between its literal use as a site of execution and its symbolic resonance with divine judgment or covenantal consequences.
In Deuteronomy 21:22-23, the gallows (or tree) is a legal instrument for displaying a criminal’s body as a public warning, emphasizing societal accountability and God’s demand for justice. In 2 Kings 23:25-27, Josiah’s destruction of the 'gallows' associated with idolatry (likely a site of Molech worship) underscores its symbolic link to spiritual corruption. These examples anchor the term in ancient Israelite practices while highlighting its role in conveying moral and religious boundaries.
Do not reduce the gallows to a historical curiosity. Its metaphorical weight is amplified in Galatians 3:13, where Christ’s crucifixion redefines the 'curse of the law' as a redemptive act. This shift invites readers to see the gallows as a bridge between judgment and mercy, reminding us that God’s justice and grace coexist in His covenantal faithfulness.
Going Deeper
To deepen your understanding of gallows in Scripture, consider their connection to broader biblical themes such as divine judgment and covenantal responsibility.
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 states, 'His body shall not remain overnight on the tree... for a hanged person is cursed by God,' linking gallows to covenantal consequences. Yet in Galatians 3:13, Paul writes, 'Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us,' reinterpreting the cross as an act of divine mercy.
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
Deuteronomy 21:22-23
Commands that a hanged criminal’s body must be buried the same day, declaring the person cursed by God.
2 Kings 23:25-27
Records King Josiah’s destruction of idolatrous sites, including gallows associated with false worship.
Galatians 3:13
States that Christ redeemed humanity from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.
Related Concepts
Covenant (Theological Concepts)
The binding agreement between God and Israel, central to understanding gallows as symbols of covenantal accountability.
Cross (Symbols)
Transforms the gallows’ imagery into a symbol of redemption through Christ’s crucifixion.
Josiah (Figures)
The reforming king who destroyed idolatrous gallows, symbolizing spiritual renewal in Judah.