King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 24:1 Mean?

Deuteronomy 24:1 in the King James Version says “When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath ... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. some: Heb. matter of nakedness divorcement: Heb. cutting off

Deuteronomy 24:1 · KJV


Context

1

When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. some: Heb. matter of nakedness divorcement: Heb. cutting off

2

And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.

3

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;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. This law regulates divorce but does not command or recommend it. Moses permitted divorce due to hardness of hearts (Matthew 19:8), providing legal structure for what God never intended but human sin made necessary.

The phrase some uncleanness (ervat dabar) became subject of rabbinic debate - what constitutes legitimate grounds? The intentional vagueness led some to permit divorce for trivial reasons. Jesus later clarifies that Moses accommodated divorce due to human sin, but God's original design was permanent marriage.

Requiring written bill of divorcement protected women from arbitrary dismissal and informal abandonment. The formal process created legal documentation of divorce, allowing the woman to remarry without accusation of adultery. This was merciful provision within fallen system.

Reformed theology affirms God's hatred of divorce while recognizing that some marriages suffer irreparable breakdown through sin. The tension between ideal (permanent marriage) and accommodation (permitted divorce) reflects living in fallen world.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Judaism divided between Hillel's school (allowing divorce for any reason) and Shammai's school (restricting it to sexual immorality). Jesus sided with the stricter view while pointing beyond law to creation ideal.

The certificate of divorce protected women's legal status, enabling remarriage without stigma of adultery or abandonment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the difference between permitting divorce and commanding or recommending it?
  2. How does this law protect women while accommodating human sin?
  3. What does Jesus' teaching reveal about God's original design versus Mosaic accommodation?
  4. Why is the tension between ideal and accommodation necessary in fallen world?
  5. How should churches balance God's hatred of divorce with pastoral care for those experiencing marital breakdown?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
כִּֽי1 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יִקַּ֥ח2 of 24

hath taken

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אִ֛ישׁ3 of 24

When a man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אִשָּׁ֖ה4 of 24

a wife

H802

a woman

וּבְעָלָ֑הּ5 of 24

and married

H1166

to be master; hence, to marry

וְהָיָ֞ה6 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אִם7 of 24
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹ֧א8 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מָ֤צָא9 of 24

because he hath found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

חֵ֣ן10 of 24

no favour

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

בְּעֵינָ֗יו11 of 24

in his eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

כִּי12 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מָ֤צָא13 of 24

because he hath found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בָהּ֙14 of 24
H0
עֶרְוַ֣ת15 of 24

uncleanness

H6172

nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)

דָּבָ֔ר16 of 24

some

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

וְכָ֨תַב17 of 24

in her then let him write

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

לָ֜הּ18 of 24
H0
סֵ֤פֶר19 of 24

her a bill

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

כְּרִיתֻת֙20 of 24

of divorcement

H3748

a cutting (of the matrimonial bond), i.e., divorce

וְנָתַ֣ן21 of 24

and give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בְּיָדָ֔הּ22 of 24

it in her hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְשִׁלְּחָ֖הּ23 of 24

and send

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מִבֵּיתֽוֹ׃24 of 24

her out of his house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 24:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 24:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study