“And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife” (Deuteronomy 24:3, KJV).
Context: Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible, and it contains the laws and instructions given by Moses to the Israelites just before they entered the Promised Land. In this particular chapter, Moses addresses various laws related to marriage and divorce. Verse 3 focuses on the scenario where a woman, who had been married and divorced or widowed, is free to remarry.
Explanation:
In this verse, Moses describes a situation where a woman has been married to a second husband (referred to as the “latter husband”). If the latter husband develops a strong dislike or hatred toward her, he has the option to write her a bill of divorcement. This bill would legally dissolve the marriage and allow her to leave his house. Alternatively, if the latter husband passes away, thus ending the marriage, the woman is also free to remarry.
This verse is part of the broader discussion on divorce and remarriage laws found in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. It addresses the reality of divorce in ancient Israel and sets forth guidelines to regulate the process, with the aim of protecting the rights and well-being of women.
It is important to note that this passage does not explicitly endorse or encourage divorce but acknowledges its existence as a social reality. Divorce was permitted under the Mosaic Law due to the hardness of people’s hearts (Matthew 19:8), but it was not the ideal or original design for marriage (Matthew 19:4-6).
Significance and Application: While this verse is specific to the context of ancient Israelite society, it offers a few principles that can be applied today:
- Respect for the sanctity of marriage: The verse underscores the seriousness of the marital covenant. Divorce is presented as a measure taken in response to specific circumstances but not as an ideal solution.
- Concern for the welfare of women: The provision of a bill of divorcement protected the rights of the woman, allowing her to remarry and establish a new life if the marriage dissolved due to incompatibility or the death of the husband.
- The importance of ethical conduct in divorce: The verse implies that divorce should be a formal process, involving a written bill of divorcement. This emphasizes the need for accountability and fair treatment when a marriage ends.
- Recognizing the finality of death: The verse acknowledges that death ends a marriage, and a widow is free to remarry.
It is important to remember that as Christians, we must also consider the teachings of Jesus on divorce and remarriage, particularly in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 19:3-9). Jesus raised the standard for marriage, emphasizing the lifelong commitment and discouraging divorce except in cases of sexual immorality.
In conclusion, Deuteronomy 24:3 addresses the circumstances under which a woman is allowed to remarry after a divorce or the death of her husband. It provides guidance on divorce laws in ancient Israel and highlights principles of respect, protection, and ethical conduct in marriage and divorce. As Christians, we should also consider Jesus’ teachings on the sanctity and permanence of marriage.
