Divorcement, as addressed in the Bible, refers to the formal dissolution of a marriage covenant. The concept and regulations surrounding divorcement are primarily found in the Old and New Testaments, reflecting the cultural, legal, and spiritual dimensions of marriage and its dissolution.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the primary passage concerning divorcement is found in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. This passage provides the legal framework for divorce among the Israelites: "If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, give it to her, and send her away from his house" (Deuteronomy 24:1). The certificate of divorce served as a formal document that allowed the woman to remarry, indicating that the marriage covenant had been legally terminated.

The Mosaic Law's allowance for divorce was a concession to human weakness and the hardness of heart, as later explained by Jesus (Matthew 19:8). It was intended to protect the rights of the woman and to prevent hasty or unjust dismissals by the husband. The law also prohibited a man from remarrying his former wife if she had married another man after the divorce, emphasizing the seriousness and finality of the divorce act.

Prophetic Literature

The prophets also addressed the issue of divorce, often using it metaphorically to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God. For instance, in Malachi 2:16, God expresses His disdain for divorce: "For I hate divorce, says the LORD, the God of Israel, and him who covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not break faith" . This passage underscores the divine ideal of marital fidelity and the spiritual implications of divorce.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ provides further teaching on the subject of divorce. In the Sermon on the Mount, He states, "But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her; and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery" (Matthew 5:32). Here, Jesus emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and restricts the grounds for divorce to sexual immorality, thereby upholding a higher standard than the prevailing cultural norms.

In Matthew 19:3-9, Jesus engages in a dialogue with the Pharisees regarding the lawfulness of divorce. He refers back to the creation narrative, affirming that marriage is a divine institution: "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate" (Matthew 19:6). Jesus reiterates that divorce was permitted due to human hardness of heart but was not part of God's original design.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of divorce in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, he advises married couples: "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" . Paul acknowledges the challenges within marriage but encourages reconciliation and fidelity.

Theological Implications

The biblical teachings on divorcement highlight the tension between the ideal of lifelong marital union and the reality of human sinfulness. While divorce is permitted under certain circumstances, it is never presented as the ideal solution. The Scriptures consistently call believers to uphold the sanctity of marriage, reflecting the covenantal relationship between Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:31-32).(n.) Dissolution of the marriage tie; divorce; separation.BILL OF DIVORCEMENT

di-vors'-ment.

See DIVORCE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.

647. apostasion -- a forsaking, spec. (bill of) divorce
... Neuter of a (presumed) adjective from a derivative of aphistemi; properly, something
separative, ie (specially) divorce -- (writing of) divorcement. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/647.htm - 6k3748. kerithuth -- divorcement
... 3747, 3748. kerithuth. 3749 . divorcement. Transliteration: kerithuth Phonetic
Spelling: (ker-ee-thooth') Short Definition: divorce. ...
/hebrew/3748.htm - 6k

The Bill of Divorcement.
... Book XIV. 18. The Bill of Divorcement. After this we will discuss the saying
of the Pharisees which they said to Jesus, "Why then ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/18 the bill of divorcement.htm

The Divorce of Israel.
... Now, keeping in mind what we said above in regard to the passage from Isaiah about
the bill of divorcement, we will say that the mother of the people separated ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/19 the divorce of israel.htm

Of the Harmony Subsisting Between Matthew and Mark in the Accounts ...
... Lord as to what Moses commanded them, and that on His questioning them to that effect
they returned the answer regarding the bill of divorcement which Moses ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter lxii of the harmony subsisting.htm

Chapter xiv.
... Book I. Chapter XIV. 39. "It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife,
let him give her a writing of divorcement." This is the lesser righteousness of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xiv.htm

The Marriage of Church Dignitaries.
... But, from what is said in the law about the bill of divorcement, I reflect whether,
seeing that the bishop and the presbyter and the deacon are a symbol of ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/22 the marriage of church.htm

Union of Angels and the Souls of Men.
... lord and ruler, because that in it there is found an unseemly thing; and bonds may
be written out, as such are written, and a bill of divorcement be written ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/21 union of angels and.htm

Divorce
... And He answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses
suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 10 1-12 divorce.htm

Moses, Allowing Divorce, and Christ Prohibiting It, Explained John ...
... her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found
unchastity in her; then let him write her a bill of divorcement and give it ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxxiv moses allowing divorce and.htm

Jewish Criticism of the Law of Christ.
... For it is not necessary for adultery or any such great indecency to write a bill
of divorcement and give it into the hands of the wife; but indeed perhaps ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/24 jewish criticism of the.htm

At First God Deemed it Sufficient to Inscribe the Natural Law, or ...
... heart], and because of their unwillingness to be obedient, when, on their saying
to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a writing of divorcement, and to ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xv at first god deemed.htm

Divorcement (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BILL OF DIVORCEMENT. di-vors'-ment. See DIVORCE
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. Multi-Version Concordance Divorcement (7 Occurrences). ...
/d/divorcement.htm - 9k

Writeth (26 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/w/writeth.htm - 14k

Writes (4 Occurrences)
... it cometh to pass, if she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some
unseemly thing in her, that he writeth her a bill of divorcement, and giveth ...
/w/writes.htm - 7k

Bill (9 Occurrences)
... BILL OF DIVORCEMENT. di-vors'-ment. ... Mark 10:4 And they said, Moses suffered to write
a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/b/bill.htm - 11k

Divorce (18 Occurrences)
... so intolerably burdensome and hateful in the home that almost any husband would
gladly avail himself of his prerogatives and write her a bill of divorcement. ...
/d/divorce.htm - 41k

Divorces (7 Occurrences)

/d/divorces.htm - 8k

Divorced (10 Occurrences)

/d/divorced.htm - 9k

Taste (46 Occurrences)
... so intolerably burdensome and hateful in the home that almost any husband would
gladly avail himself of his prerogatives and write her a bill of divorcement. ...
/t/taste.htm - 59k

Write (865 Occurrences)
... To set down for reading; to express in legible or intelligible characters; to inscribe;
as, to write a deed; to write a bill of divorcement; hence, specifically ...
/w/write.htm - 7k

Indecency (2 Occurrences)
... it cometh to pass, if she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some
unseemly thing in her, that he writeth her a bill of divorcement, and giveth ...
/i/indecency.htm - 7k

Did God divorce Israel? | GotQuestions.org

Divorcement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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