Dissatisfaction with a woman (Deuteronomy 24:1-4)

48 Custom

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 outlines the regulations regarding divorce and remarriage in ancient Israel, with a particular focus on protecting the rights and dignity of women.

The passage begins by explaining that if a man finds something indecent about his wife, he may write her a certificate of divorce, send her away, and she may then marry another man (Deuteronomy 24:1-2). However, if the second husband also divorces her or dies, the first husband is not allowed to remarry her, as she has been defiled (Deuteronomy 24:3-4). This prohibition is stated to prevent sin within the land that God has given to the Israelites.

The theological message of Deuteronomy 24:1-4 acknowledges the reality of divorce within society but seeks to regulate it by protecting the rights and dignity of women. The passage emphasizes the importance of treating women with respect and dignity, as well as the need to maintain moral boundaries within the community.

The significance of Deuteronomy 24:1-4 lies in its concern for upholding justice and social order within the Israelite community. By providing guidelines for divorce and remarriage, the passage ensures that women are not treated as mere possessions, but rather as individuals with rights and dignity. Furthermore, the prohibition against remarriage to a former spouse after she has married another underscores the seriousness of the marital covenant and discourages treating marriage lightly. The passage serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining ethical standards in relationships and respecting the sanctity of marriage, even in situations where divorce is permitted.

Vocabulary

Word Meaning
כִּי car, porque
לקח prendre, saisir, s'emparer
אִישׁ homme
אִשָּׁה femme; chaque femme
וְ et
בעל se marier ; posséder, régner sur
הִיא elle
היה être, devenir
אִם si; quand
לֹא pas

Biblical text

24:1כִּֽי־יִקַּ֥ח אִ֛ישׁ אִשָּׁ֖ה וּבְעָלָ֑הּ וְהָיָ֞ה אִם־לֹ֧א תִמְצָא־חֵ֣ן בְּעֵינָ֗יו כִּי־מָ֤צָא בָהּ֙ עֶרְוַ֣ת דָּבָ֔ר וְכָ֨תַב לָ֜הּ סֵ֤פֶר כְּרִיתֻת֙ וְנָתַ֣ן בְּיָדָ֔הּ וְשִׁלְּחָ֖הּ מִבֵּיתֽוֹ׃2וְיָצְאָ֖ה מִבֵּית֑וֹ וְהָלְכָ֖ה וְהָיְתָ֥ה לְאִישׁ־אַחֵֽר׃3וּשְׂנֵאָהּ֮ הָאִ֣ישׁ הָאַחֲרוֹן֒ וְכָ֨תַב לָ֜הּ סֵ֤פֶר כְּרִיתֻת֙ וְנָתַ֣ן בְּיָדָ֔הּ וְשִׁלְּחָ֖הּ מִבֵּית֑וֹ א֣וֹ כִ֤י יָמוּת֙ הָאִ֣ישׁ הָאַחֲר֔וֹן אֲשֶׁר־לְקָחָ֥הּ ל֖וֹ לְאִשָּֽׁה׃4לֹא־יוּכַ֣ל בַּעְלָ֣הּ הָרִאשׁ֣וֹן אֲשֶֽׁר־שִׁ֠לְּחָהּ לָשׁ֨וּב לְקַחְתָּ֜הּ לִהְי֧וֹת ל֣וֹ לְאִשָּׁ֗ה אַחֲרֵי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֻטַּמָּ֔אָה כִּֽי־תוֹעֵבָ֥ה הִ֖וא לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וְלֹ֤א תַחֲטִיא֙ אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ נַחֲלָֽה׃ ס