Divorce, the dissolution of the marital union, is a topic addressed in various passages throughout the Bible. The Scriptures provide guidance on the sanctity of marriage, the conditions under which divorce may be permissible, and the implications of divorce for believers.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, marriage is established as a covenantal relationship between a man and a woman, instituted by God. The book of Genesis describes the creation of man and woman and the divine intention for them to become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). Despite this ideal, the reality of human sinfulness led to the provision of divorce under certain circumstances.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 provides the Mosaic Law's stipulations regarding divorce: "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, hand it to her, and send her away from his house" (Deuteronomy 24:1). This passage indicates that divorce was permitted, though not encouraged, as a concession to human weakness and to protect the rights of the woman.

Prophetic Writings

The prophets often spoke against the casual treatment of marriage and divorce. Malachi 2:16 declares, "For I hate divorce, says the LORD, the God of Israel, and I hate it when people clothe themselves with injustice, says the LORD Almighty" . This reflects God's displeasure with divorce and His desire for faithfulness within marriage.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of divorce in the context of His teachings on the Kingdom of God. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus refers back to the creation narrative, emphasizing the original intent for marriage: "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate" (Matthew 19:6).

Jesus acknowledges the Mosaic provision for divorce but attributes it to the hardness of human hearts: "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning" (Matthew 19:8). He further clarifies that divorce is permissible only in cases of sexual immorality: "And I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery" (Matthew 19:9).

The Apostle Paul also addresses divorce in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul advises believers to remain married if possible, but he acknowledges that separation may occur. He instructs that if an unbelieving spouse chooses to leave, the believer is "not bound in such circumstances" (1 Corinthians 7:15).

Theological Implications

The biblical teachings on divorce underscore the sanctity and permanence of marriage as a divine institution. While divorce is permitted under certain conditions, it is never presented as the ideal. The Scriptures call believers to uphold the covenant of marriage, reflecting God's faithfulness and love. The allowance for divorce in cases of sexual immorality or abandonment by an unbelieving spouse highlights the balance between upholding the sanctity of marriage and addressing the realities of human sinfulness and brokenness.Malachi 2:16
For the LORD, the God of Israel, said that he hates putting away: for one covers violence with his garment, said the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that you deal not treacherously.
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Mark 10:2
And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.
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Matthew 5:32
But I say to you, That whoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery: and whoever shall marry her that is divorced commits adultery.
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Mark 10:12
And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she commits adultery.
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Matthew 19:3-12
The Pharisees also came to him, tempting him, and saying to him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
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1 Corinthians 7:11
But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
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1 Corinthians 7:15
But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God has called us to peace.
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Matthew 19:9
And I say to you, Whoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery: and whoever marries her which is put away does commit adultery.
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Luke 16:18
Whoever puts away his wife, and marries another, commits adultery: and whoever marries her that is put away from her husband commits adultery.
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630. apoluo -- to set free, release
... Word Origin from apo and luo Definition to set free, release NASB Word Usage dismissed
(1), divorce (3), divorced (2), divorces (5), freed (1), leaving (1), let ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/630.htm - 10k7971. shalach -- to send
... off (1), casting (1), certainly let (1), certainly let the go (1), delivered (1),
direct (1), dismissed (2), dispatch (1), divorce (3), divorces (1), drive (1 ...
/hebrew/7971.htm - 7k

Whether it was Lawful for a Divorced Wife to have Another Husband?
... John Chrysostom], who says that "a man who divorces his wife according to the law
is guilty of four crimes: for in God's sight he is a murderer," in so far as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was lawful for.htm

Temperance and the Teen Age
... It breaks up homes, causes divorces, deprives children of their legitimate sustenance,
ruins the life of the drinker, increases taxation, lowers the tone and ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/xvii temperance and the teen.htm

Jesus Before Caiphas.
... The Pharisees of Sephoris, with whom he had once had a discussion on the subject
of divorces, accused him of teaching false doctrines, and a young man of ...
/.../chapter viii jesus before caiphas.htm

The Prophecy of the Perilous Times.
... "Without natural affection." How terribly this is exemplified today in the enormous
increase of divorces, in the abandonment of their infant offspring by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 the prophecy of the.htm

Seventh Commandment
... seeds of sure decay are already planted. In 1895 there were twenty-five thousand
divorces in this country. I was on one of the fashionable ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/seventh commandment.htm

Whether Other Sins Dissolve Marriage?
... Further, if this were true, divorces would be made all day long, since it is rare
to find a marriage wherein one of the parties does not fall into sin. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether other sins dissolve marriage.htm

The Third Epistle of the Same to the Same.
... He that divorces his wife, and marries another, is an adulterer; and according to
the canons of the Fathers, he shall be a mourner one year, a hearer two years ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the third epistle of the.htm

The Analogy Between the Two Advents of Christ.
... Divorces were so common and frequent that it became the custom for women
to count them by the number of rings worn on their fingers. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/10 the analogy between the.htm

The Supposed Effects of Christianity.
... It has abolished polygamy. It has restrained the licentiousness of divorces. It
has put an end to the exposure of children and the immolation of slaves. ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vii the supposed effects.htm

Chapter xvi.
... adultery. The Roman-Catholic Church forbids divorces, but permits an indefinite
separation a mensa et toro ("from table and bed"). ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xvi.htm

Divorces (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Divorces (7 Occurrences). ... Mark 10:11 He said to them,
"Whoever divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her. ...
/d/divorces.htm - 8k

Marries (20 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:9 I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality,
and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is ...
/m/marries.htm - 12k

Commits (39 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:9 I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality,
and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is ...
/c/commits.htm - 18k

Commit (142 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:9 I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality,
and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is ...
/c/commit.htm - 39k

Adultery (49 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:9 I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality,
and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is ...
/a/adultery.htm - 32k

Divorced (10 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:9 I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality,
and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is ...
/d/divorced.htm - 9k

Wife (437 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:9 I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality,
and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is ...
/w/wife.htm - 42k

Divorcement (7 Occurrences)

/d/divorcement.htm - 9k

Divorce (18 Occurrences)
... Christian? There would be two sides to such divorces. ...divorces. Divorces
from the earliest times were common among the Hebrews. ...
/d/divorce.htm - 41k

Taste (46 Occurrences)
... Christian? There would be two sides to such divorces. ...divorces. Divorces
from the earliest times were common among the Hebrews. ...
/t/taste.htm - 59k

What does the Bible say about adultery? | GotQuestions.org

Is remarriage after divorce always adultery? | GotQuestions.org

How should parents who are divorcing/separating deal with child custody issues? | GotQuestions.org

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