HANGING. The terms used to denote hanging in the Bible are to be divided into two major groups. The first group (חָנַק, H2871, ἀνάγχομαι) indicates death by strangulation or hanging. In the case of Ahithophel (2 Sam 17:23) and Judas (Matt 27:5) it was self-inflicted. These terms are used in extra-Biblical lit. as well (see Tobit 2:3; 3:10; Jos. Antiq. XVI. 11:7). The second group (יָקַע, H3697, מְחָא, H10411, תָּלָא, H9428, תָּלָה, H9434; κρεμάννυμι, G3203) denotes impaling, gibbeting or crucifixion. This often was done to the corpse after death (Gen 40:19, 22; 41:13; Deut 21:22; Lam 5:12) but not always. Ezra 6:11 indicates that a living man was to be impaled and left to die.

Paul in Galatians 3:13 asserts that Jesus became a curse by being hung upon a tree (ζύλον), quoting from Deuteronomy 21:23, his point being that Jesus bore the accursed death due to sin vicariously, so that those who deserved it could be set free.