Definition and Context
Divorce, in biblical terms, refers to the formal dissolution of a marriage covenant. The concept of divorce is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments, with varying degrees of acceptance and regulation. In ancient Israel, marriage was considered a sacred covenant, and divorce was generally discouraged but permitted under certain circumstances.

Old Testament References
The Mosaic Law provided guidelines for divorce, primarily to protect the rights of the wife. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 outlines the procedure for a man to divorce his wife, requiring him to write her a certificate of divorce. This certificate served as a legal document that allowed the woman to remarry. The passage states: "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 prophet Malachi speaks against divorce, emphasizing God's disapproval of it. Malachi 2:16 states, "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 highlights the seriousness with which God views the marriage covenant and the negative consequences of breaking it.

New Testament Teachings
In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of divorce in the context of the Pharisees' questioning. In Matthew 19:3-9, Jesus refers back to the creation account, emphasizing the original intent for marriage as a lifelong union: "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 provision for divorce in the Mosaic Law but attributes it to the hardness of human hearts, stating that it was not so from the beginning.

Jesus further clarifies the grounds for divorce, allowing it only in the case 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). This teaching underscores the sanctity of marriage and the limited circumstances under which divorce is permissible.

The Apostle Paul also addresses divorce in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, Paul advises married couples to remain together, but he acknowledges that separation may occur: "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 emphasizes reconciliation and maintaining the marriage bond whenever possible.

Theological Implications
Divorce is a complex issue with significant theological implications. It reflects the brokenness of human relationships and the deviation from God's original design for marriage. The Bible consistently portrays marriage as a covenantal relationship that mirrors God's faithfulness to His people. As such, divorce is seen as a last resort, permissible only under specific circumstances, and always with a view toward reconciliation and restoration.

Pastoral Considerations
In pastoral care, the issue of divorce requires sensitivity and compassion. Church leaders are called to uphold the biblical teachings on marriage while providing support and guidance to those affected by divorce. The church community is encouraged to offer grace and healing to individuals and families navigating the challenges of divorce, always pointing them toward the hope and redemption found in Christ.(imp. & p. p.) of Divorce.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 - 10k1644. garash -- to drive out, cast out
... root Definition to drive out, cast out NASB Word Usage dismissed (1), dispossessed
(1), divorced (5), drive (16), driven (6), driven it away (1), driving (1 ...
/hebrew/1644.htm - 6k

488. alman -- widowed
... forsaken. Prolonged from 'alam in the sense of bereavement; discarded (as a divorced
person) -- forsaken. see HEBREW 'alam. 487, 488. alman. 489 . ...
/hebrew/488.htm - 6k

Whether it was Lawful for a Divorced Wife to have Another Husband?
... OF THE BILL OF DIVORCE (SEVEN ARTICLES) Whether it was lawful for a divorced
wife to have another husband? Objection 1: It would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was lawful for.htm

Divorced for the Faith.
... Homily II. Chapter XX."Divorced for the Faith. "She, therefore, having
taken up a manner of life according to the law, was, with ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xx divorced for the faith.htm

Whether a Husband could Lawfully Take Back the Wife He had ...
... OF THE BILL OF DIVORCE (SEVEN ARTICLES) Whether a husband could lawfully
take back the wife he had divorced? Objection 1: It would ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a husband could lawfully.htm

Whether Husband and Wife May be Reconciled after Being Divorced?
... IMPEDIMENT THAT SUPERVENES TO MARRIAGE AFTER ITS CONSUMMATION, NAMELY FORNICATION
(SIX ARTICLES) Whether husband and wife may be reconciled after being divorced ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether husband and wife may.htm

Chapter xvi.
... 48. But in reference to what He says, "Whosoever shall marry her that is divorced
[150] committeth adultery," it may be asked whether she also who is married ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xvi.htm

Letter Lv. To Amandus.
... and had in the same letter on behalf of a sister' (supposed by Thierry to have been
Fabiola) put the following question: Can a woman who has divorced her first ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lv to amandus.htm

From Examples Tertullian Passes to Direct Dogmatic Teachings He ...
... [654] A divorced woman cannot even marry legitimately; and if she commit any such
act without the name of marriage, does it not fall under the category of ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter ix from examples tertullian passes.htm

St. Paul's Teaching on the Subject.
... Therefore, if a divorced woman, who has been separated (from her husband) in soul
as well as body, through discord, anger, hatred, and the causes of these ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter x st pauls teaching on.htm

Of the Bill of Divorce (Seven Articles)
... (4) Whether a wife who has been divorced may take another husband? (5) Whether
the husband can marry again the wife whom he has divorced? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the bill of divorce.htm

Of the Impediment that Supervenes to Marriage after Its ...
... condition? (5) Whether, after being divorced, they must remain unmarried?
(6) Whether they can be reconciled after being divorced? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of the impediment that supervenes.htm

Divorced (10 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Divorce. Multi-Version Concordance Divorced (10 Occurrences). ... He who marries
one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/d/divorced.htm - 9k

Divorces (7 Occurrences)
... every man who puts away his wife except on the ground of unfaithfulness causes her
to commit adultery, and whoever marries her when so divorced commits adultery ...
/d/divorces.htm - 8k

Widow (71 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 21:14 A widow, or one divorced, or a woman who has been defiled, or a
prostitute, these he shall not marry: but a virgin of his own people shall he ...
/w/widow.htm - 31k

Marry (48 Occurrences)
... shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit
adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery ...
/m/marry.htm - 22k

Vashti (10 Occurrences)
... VASHTI. vash'-ti (washti; Astin; Old Persian "beautiful woman"): The former queen
of Xerxes, whom he divorced. ... She was, accordingly, divorced and dethroned. ...
/v/vashti.htm - 12k

Esther (48 Occurrences)
... resided with her cousin Mordecai, who held some office in the household of the Persian
king at "Shushan in the palace." Ahasuerus having divorced Vashti, chose ...
/e/esther.htm - 58k

Marries (20 Occurrences)
... whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits
adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery ...
/m/marries.htm - 12k

Commits (39 Occurrences)
... whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits
adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery ...
/c/commits.htm - 18k

Spirituality
... 1. Intellect: The intellectual can be divorced from the spiritual, but
the spiritual can never be divorced from the intellectual. ...
/s/spirituality.htm - 9k

Commit (142 Occurrences)
... whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits
adultery; and he who marries her when she is divorced commits adultery ...
/c/commit.htm - 39k

Is a man who divorced and remarried before coming to Christ eligible to pastor a church? | GotQuestions.org

Can a man who is married to a divorced woman serve in church leadership? | GotQuestions.org

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Divorced: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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