Deuteronomy 24:3

And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of diuorcement, and giueth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house: Or if the latter husband die, which tooke her to be his wife, Deuteronomy 24:3 (KJV)

Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Bible, records the laws and instructions given by Moses to the Israelites just before they entered the Promised Land. Chapter 24 deals specifically with regulations concerning marriage and divorce. Verse 3 addresses the situation of a woman whose marriage to a second husband comes to an end either because the husband “hates her” and issues a written bill of divorcement, or because the husband dies.

In the case of divorce, the husband must write a bill of divorcement, give it into the woman’s hand, and send her out of his house. The law then directs the woman to go to her father’s house, where she will be received and cared for. This provision safeguards the woman’s welfare by ensuring she has a place of protection after the marriage is dissolved. If the husband dies, the marriage likewise ends, and the widow is likewise free to return to her family.

The passage is part of a broader Mosaic discussion (Deuteronomy 24:1‑4) that acknowledges the reality of divorce in ancient Israel while seeking to regulate it with fairness and compassion. The text does not endorse divorce as an ideal; rather, it sets standards for ethical conduct, emphasizing a formal written document and the responsibility to provide for the woman’s security.

Principles drawn from this verse include a respect for the sanctity of the marital covenant, concern for the welfare of women, and recognition of death as the final termination of the marriage bond. Christian readers are invited to consider these Old‑Testament provisions alongside the higher standard taught by Jesus, who emphasized lifelong commitment and limited divorce to cases of sexual immorality (see Matthew 19:3‑9). In conclusion, Deuteronomy 24:3 outlines a humane procedure for a woman to leave her husband’s house—whether through divorce or widowhood—and to find refuge with her family, reflecting the law’s aim to protect vulnerable individuals while upholding the seriousness of marriage.