Deuteronomy 24:4 then the husband who divorced her first may not remarry her after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination to the LORD. You must not bring sin upon the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

Bible > Deuteronomy > Chapter 24 > Verse 4

◄ Deuteronomy 24:4 ►

New International Version
then her first husband, who divorced her, is not allowed to marry her again after she has been defiled. That would be detestable in the eyes of the LORD. Do not bring sin upon the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

New Living Translation
the first husband may not marry her again, for she has been defiled. That would be detestable to the LORD. You must not bring guilt upon the land the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession.

English Standard Version
then her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination before the LORD. And you shall not bring sin upon the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance.

Berean Standard Bible
then the husband who divorced her first may not remarry her after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination to the LORD. You must not bring sin upon the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

King James Bible
Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
then her former husband who sent her away is not allowed to take her again 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.

NASB 1995
then her former husband who sent her away is not allowed to take her again to be his wife, since 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 gives you as an inheritance.

NASB 1977
then her former husband who sent her away is not allowed to take her again to be his wife, since 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 gives you as an inheritance.

Legacy Standard Bible
then her former husband who sent her away is not allowed to take her again to be his wife, since she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before Yahweh, and you shall not bring sin on the land which Yahweh your God gives you as an inheritance.

Amplified Bible
then her former husband who [first] sent her away may not take her again as his wife, since she has been defiled; for that is an outrage before the LORD, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance.

Christian Standard Bible
the first husband who sent her away may not marry her again after she has been defiled, because that would be detestable to the LORD. You must not bring guilt on the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the first husband who sent her away may not marry her again after she has been defiled, because that would be detestable to the LORD. You must not bring guilt on the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.”

American Standard Version
her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Jehovah: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Contemporary English Version
Since she has slept with her second husband, she cannot marry her first husband again. Their marriage would pollute the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and he would be disgusted.

English Revised Version
her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
her first husband is not allowed to marry her again. She has become unclean. This would be disgusting in the LORD's presence. Don't pollute with sin the land that the LORD your God is giving you as your property.

Good News Translation
In either case, her first husband is not to marry her again; he is to consider her defiled. If he married her again, it would be offensive to the LORD. You are not to commit such a terrible sin in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

International Standard Version
her first husband who married her and divorced her earlier must not remarry her, because she was defiled, since this is detestable to the LORD. Don't defile the land that the LORD your God is about to give you as a possession.

Majority Standard Bible
then the husband who divorced her first may not remarry her after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination to the LORD. You must not bring sin upon the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

NET Bible
her first husband who divorced her is not permitted to remarry her after she has become ritually impure, for that is offensive to the LORD. You must not bring guilt on the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

New Heart English Bible
her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and you shall not cause the land to sin, which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance.

Webster's Bible Translation
Her former husband who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

World English Bible
her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife after she is defiled; for that would be an abomination to Yahweh. You shall not cause the land to sin, which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
her former husband who sent her away is not able to return to take her to be to him for a wife, after that she has become defiled; for it [is] an abomination before YHWH, and you do not cause the land to sin which your God YHWH is giving to you [for] an inheritance.

Young's Literal Translation
Her former husband who sent her away is not able to turn back to take her to be to him for a wife, after that she hath become defiled; for an abomination it is before Jehovah, and thou dost not cause the land to sin which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee -- an inheritance.

Smith's Literal Translation
Her first husband who sent her away shall not be able to turn back to take her to be to him for a wife after that she was defiled; for it is an abomination before Jehovah: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin which Jehovah thy God gave to thee an inheritance.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
The former husband cannot take her again to wife: because she is defiled, and is become abominable before the Lord: lest thou cause thy land to sin, which the Lord thy God shall give thee to possess.

Catholic Public Domain Version
then the former husband cannot take her back as a wife. For she has been polluted and has become abominable in the sight of the Lord. Otherwise, you may cause your land, which the Lord your God will deliver to you as a possession, to sin.

New American Bible
then her former husband, who dismissed her, may not again take her as his wife after she has become defiled. That would be an abomination before the LORD, and you shall not bring such guilt upon the land the LORD, your God, is giving you as a heritage.

New Revised Standard Version
her first husband, who sent her away, is not permitted to take her again to be his wife after she has been defiled; for that would be abhorrent to the LORD, and you shall not bring guilt on the land that the LORD your God is giving you as a possession.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then her former husband, who sent her away, has no right to take her again to be his wife, after she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the LORD; and you shall not cause the land to sin, which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
It is illegal for her first husband who divorced her to take her again after she has been defiled, because that is defilement before LORD JEHOVAH, and you shall not sin against the land that LORD JEHOVAH your God gives to you as an inheritance.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD; and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
the former husband who sent her away shall not be able to return and take her to himself for a wife, after she has been defiled; because it is an abomination before the Lord thy God, and ye shall not defile the land, which the Lord thy God gives thee to inherit.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Law of Divorce
…3and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, 4then the husband who divorced her first may not remarry her after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination to the LORD. You must not bring sin upon the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance. 5If a man is newly married, he must not be sent to war or be pressed into any duty. For one year he is free to stay at home and bring joy to the wife he has married.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 5:31-32
It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ / But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Mark 10:11-12
So He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. / And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Luke 16:18
Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Romans 7:2-3
For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

Jeremiah 3:1
“If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers—and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD.

Malachi 2:14-16
Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. / Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. / “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.

Matthew 19:8-9
Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. / Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Hosea 2:2
Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not My wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adultery from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts.

Isaiah 50:1
This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.

Ezekiel 16:8
Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD.

1 Corinthians 7:39
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.

Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Leviticus 21:7
A priest must not marry a woman defiled by prostitution or divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God.

Leviticus 21:14
He is not to marry a widow, a divorced woman, or one defiled by prostitution. He is to marry a virgin from his own people,

Treasury of Scripture

Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and you shall not cause the land to sin, which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance.

Her former

Jeremiah 3:1
They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.

thou shalt

Leviticus 18:24-28
Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: …

Joshua 22:17,18
Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD, …

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Deuteronomy 24

1. Of divorce
5. A new married man goes not to war
6. Of pledges
7. Of kidnapping
8. Of leprosy
10. Of pledges
14. The hire is to be given
16. Of justice
19. Of charity

Berean Study Bible

then her first husband who divorced her
The phrase refers to the initial marital bond that was severed through divorce. In Hebrew, the word for "divorced" is "שָׁלַח" (shalach), which means to send away or dismiss. This reflects the gravity of divorce in ancient Israelite society, where marriage was a covenantal relationship. The act of divorce was not taken lightly, and the husband who initiated it bore significant responsibility for the dissolution of the marriage.

is not permitted to remarry her
The prohibition against remarriage to the same woman after she has been with another man underscores the sanctity and seriousness of the marriage covenant. The Hebrew word for "permitted" is "יָכוֹל" (yakol), meaning to be able or allowed. This restriction serves as a protective measure to prevent the trivialization of marriage and to uphold its sanctity as ordained by God.

after she has been defiled
The term "defiled" in Hebrew is "טָמֵא" (tame), which means to be unclean or impure. This does not imply moral impurity on the woman's part but rather a ceremonial or relational state that affects the covenantal purity of the marriage. The concept of defilement here is tied to the idea of exclusivity and faithfulness within the marriage covenant, which is a reflection of God's covenant with His people.

for that would be detestable to the LORD
The word "detestable" is translated from the Hebrew "תּוֹעֵבָה" (to'evah), which signifies something abominable or loathsome. This strong language indicates the seriousness with which God views the sanctity of marriage. It reflects God's desire for His people to live in a way that honors Him and upholds His standards of holiness and righteousness.

You must not bring sin upon the land
The phrase emphasizes the communal responsibility of the Israelites to maintain the holiness of the land God has given them. The Hebrew word for "sin" is "חֵטְא" (chet), which denotes an offense or transgression. This underscores the idea that individual actions have corporate consequences, affecting not just the individuals involved but the entire community and their relationship with God.

the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance
This phrase highlights the gift of the Promised Land as a divine inheritance from God to His people. The Hebrew word for "inheritance" is "נַחֲלָה" (nachalah), which signifies a possession or heritage. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. The land is not just a physical territory but a symbol of God's promise and blessing, requiring the people to live in obedience and holiness.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. - The woman was held to be defiled by her second marriage, and thus by implication, the marrying of a woman who had been divorced was pronounced immoral, as is by our Lord explicitly asserted (Matthew 5:32). The prohibition of a return of the wife to her first husband, as well as the necessity of a formal bill of divorcement being given to the woman before she could be sent away, could not fail to be checks on the license of divorce, as doubtless they were intended to be.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

the husband
בַּעְלָ֣הּ (ba‘·lāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner

who
אֲשֶֽׁר־ (’ă·še·rō·ši-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

divorced her
שִׁ֠לְּחָהּ (lə·ḥāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

first
הָרִאשׁ֣וֹן (hā·ri·šō·wn)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank

may
יוּכַ֣ל (yū·ḵal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

marry
לְקַחְתָּ֜הּ (lə·qaḥ·tāh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

her again
לָשׁ֨וּב (lā·šūḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

after
אַחֲרֵי֙ (’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

she has been defiled,
הֻטַּמָּ֔אָה (huṭ·ṭam·mā·’āh)
Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

that [is]
הִ֖וא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

an abomination
תוֹעֵבָ֥ה (ṯō·w·‘ê·ḇāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol

to
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD.
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

You must not
וְלֹ֤א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

bring sin
תַחֲטִיא֙ (ṯa·ḥă·ṭî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

upon the land
הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

is giving
נֹתֵ֥ן (nō·ṯên)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

you as an inheritance.
נַחֲלָֽה׃ (na·ḥă·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5159: Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion

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OT Law: Deuteronomy 24:4 Her former husband who sent her away (Deut. De Du)