For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers ones garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 2:16

Marriage Remarriage?

Divorce Definitions Generic modern definitions: Some highlights of the modern view of divorce: A disunion (bond-breaking) of legally-married people Is the breaking of a legal marriage contract Involves formal, legal action Results in permanent separation of legal association Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc.

Divorce Definitions Generic modern definitions: Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc. Specific modern legal definitions: [application] South Carolina Legislature U.S. constitution does not provide legislation regarding marriage/divorce; a state-level issue

Divorce Definitions Remember: Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, and legal codes do not create word definitions; rather, they reflect what is common usage of the day. Therefore, if we desire to analyze a word in its context, it helps if we understand that words origins and meaning at the time it was used.

Divorce Definitions Generic modern definitions: Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc. Specific modern legal definitions: [application] South Carolina and other state Legislature Old Testament [Hebrew] Strongs Exhaustive Bible Concordance divorce, divorced, put away = 4 Hebrew words Generic Bible definitions:

Divorce Definitions Generic modern definitions: Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc. Specific modern legal definitions: [application] South Carolina and other state Legislature Generic Bible definitions: Old Testament [Hebrew] New Testament [Greek] Thayers Greek Lexicon divorce(-s)(-d), dismiss, put away = 3 Greek words

Thayers Greek Lexicon: divorce(-s) (-d); put away; dismiss {verb}: (1) - apolyo (15x): set free; let go, dismiss, (detain no longer); give a petitioner leave to depart; to bid depart, send away; to let go free, release; to give a captive leave to depart; to acquit one accused of a crime and set him at liberty; to release a debtor; to dismiss from the house, repudiate (divorce); to send ones self away, depart: …to put her away secretly [Matt 1:19] whoever divorces his wife [Matt 5:31, 32(2x)] a man to divorce his wife [Matt 19:3, 8, 9(2x)] and to put her away [Matt 19:7] to divorce his wife [Mark 10:2, 11, 12] and to dismiss her [Mark 10:4] whoever divorces his wife [Luke 16:18 (2x)]

Thayers Greek Lexicon: divorce {verb}: (2) - aphiemi (3x): to bid going away or depart; of a husband divorcing his wife; to send forth, to yield up, expire; let go, let alone, let be; to disregard; to give up a debt, forgive, remit; to keep no longer; to permit, allow, not to hinder, to give up a thing to a person; to leave, go away from one; to depart from one and leave him to himself so that all mutual claims are abandoned; to desert wrongfully; to go away leaving something behind; to leave one by not taking as a companion; abandon, leave destitute: a husband is not to divorce his wife [1 Cor 7:1] let him not divorce her [1 Cor 7:12] let her not divorce him [1 Cor 7:13]

Thayers Greek Lexicon: (certificate of) divorce {noun}: (3) - apostasion (3x): divorce, repudiation; a bill of divorce give her a certificate of divorce [Mt 5:31] to give a certificate of divorce [Mt 19:7] to write a certificate of divorce [Mark 10:4]

Divorce Definitions Generic modern definitions: Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc. Specific modern legal definitions: [application] South Carolina and other state Legislature Generic Bible definitions: O. T. Hebrew and N. T. Greek word meanings Some highlights of the biblical view of divorce: Dis-union (putting away) of husband [N.T.] or wife Involves legal, formal action – a certificate of divorce Usually seen as negative: desert, abandon, adultery

Divorce Definitions Generic modern definitions: Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc. Specific modern legal definitions: [application] South Carolina and other state Legislature Generic Bible definitions: Deut. 24:1-4 O. T. Hebrew and N. T. Greek word meanings Specific Bible definitions: [application]

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 [NKJV*] (1) When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, (2) when she has departed from his house, and goes and becomes another mans wife, (3) if the latter husband detests her and writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies who took her as his wife,

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 [NKJV*] (4) then her former husband who divorced her must not take her back to be his wife after she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the Lord, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.

Divorce Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Passage describes a WHEN(IF) situation Deut. 24 is basis for O.T. regulation of divorce Definitions When ALL When/If parts exist, the Then applies

Divorce Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Definitions IF: a man takes a wife and marries her [1] AND IF: he writes her a certificate of divorce[1] AND IF: [he] puts it in her hand[1] AND IF: [he] sends her out of his house[1] Protasis – the IF portion of this proposition AND IF: it happens…she finds no favor in his eyes[1] AND IF: [she] goes and becomes another mans wife[2] AND IF: the latter husband detests her[3] AND IF: [he] writes her a certificate of divorce[3] AND IF: [he] puts it in her hand[3] AND IF: [he] sends her out of his house[3] AND IF: OR IF the latter husband dies[3]

Divorce Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Definitions THEN: her former husband who divorced her must not take her back to be his wife after she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the Lord, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance. [4] Apodosis – the THEN portion of this proposition *KJV, ASV and some other translation traditions have missed the protasis/apodosis relationship in Dt 24:1-4

Divorce Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Passage describes a WHEN(IF) situation Deut. 24 is basis for O.T. regulation of divorce Definitions When ALL When/If parts exist, the Then applies IF a man divorces his wife, and IF she marries and IF she is divorced by 2 nd, THEN 1 st cannot take her back

Divorce Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Passage describes a WHEN(IF) situation Deut. 24 is basis for O.T. regulation of divorce Definitions Passage does not permit (approve of) divorce, nor does it permit (approve of) 2 nd marriage KJV, ASV traditions imply permission because of ignoring the protasis/apodosis relationship

Deuteronomy 24:1-2 [ASV] (1) When a man taketh a wife, and marrieth her, then it shall be, if she find no favor in his eyes, because he hath found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. (2) And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's [wife]. Permission to divorce is implied in v. 1; Permission to marry another man is implied in v. 2 Incorrect!! See Malachi 2:16

Divorce Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Passage describes a WHEN(IF) situation Deut. 24 is basis for O.T. regulation of divorce Definitions Passage does not permit (approve of) divorce, nor does it permit (approve of) 2 nd marriage KJV, ASV traditions seem to imply this because of ignoring the protasis/apodosis relationship At best, passage implies tolerance of divorce At best, passage presumes 2 nd marriage for woman and implies tolerance of that 2 nd marriage

Divorce Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Passage describes a WHEN(IF) situation Deut. 24 is basis for O.T. regulation of divorce Definitions Passage does not permit divorce, 2 nd marriage Done to protect the woman, deter divorce Done to avoid bringing sin, abomination on the land Passage therefore simply regulates what to do after a divorce/remarriage situation has arisen compare 1 John 1:8 – 2:1

Divorce Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Passage describes a WHEN(IF) situation Deut. 24 is basis for O.T. regulation of divorce Definitions Passage does not permit divorce, 2 nd marriage The nature of the divorce is not focus of the passage Passage therefore simply regulates divorcees Passage doesnt give specific reason for divorce Resulting problems (sin!) of divorce is the focus

Divorce Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Passage describes a WHEN(IF) situation Deut. 24 is basis for O.T. regulation of divorce Definitions Passage does not permit divorce, 2 nd marriage The nature of the divorce is not focus of the passage Passage therefore simply regulates divorcees Passage doesnt give specific reason for divorce Reason given is some uncleanness in her [24:1] cp. 23:14; same expression = turns God away cannot be adultery [22:13-14, – DEATH!] by Jesus day, for just any reason [Matt. 19:3]

Divorce Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Passage describes a WHEN(IF) situation Deut. 24 is basis for O.T. regulation of divorce Definitions Passage does not permit divorce, 2 nd marriage Passage therefore simply regulates divorcees Passage doesnt give specific reason for divorce Use of Hebrew baal – to possess, govern, marry verb form used in 24:1 for first marriage only noun form used in 24:4 for first husband only Other considerations of the passage: possession is aspect of first marriage, husband

Divorce Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Passage describes a WHEN(IF) situation Deut. 24 is basis for O.T. regulation of divorce Definitions Passage does not permit divorce, 2 nd marriage Passage therefore simply regulates divorcees Passage doesnt give specific reason for divorce Use of Hebrew baal – to possess, govern, marry 1) writing a bill of divorcement; 2) giving it into the wifes hand; 3) sending her out of mans house Other considerations of the passage: A look into the legal process of divorcement

Divorce Definitions Generic modern definitions: Merriam-Webster, Wordnet, Wikipedia; etc. Specific modern legal definitions: [application] South Carolina and other state Legislature Generic Bible definitions: Deut. 24 is basis for O.T. regulation of divorce O. T. Hebrew and N. T. Greek word meanings Specific Bible definitions: [application] Mt 5:31-32; 19:1-12; Mk 10:1-12; Jesus clarifies