Divorce, as addressed in the Bible, is a topic that encompasses various teachings and principles. The Scriptures provide guidance on the sanctity of marriage, the conditions under which divorce may be considered, and the implications of such an action.

Old Testament Teachings

The concept of divorce is first introduced in the Mosaic Law. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 provides the earliest legal framework for divorce, stating: "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." This passage indicates that divorce was permissible under certain conditions, though it was regulated to prevent hasty or unjust separations.

Malachi 2:16 expresses God's disapproval of divorce, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness: "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 verse underscores the divine intention for marriage to be a lifelong covenant.

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 narrative, affirming the original design for marriage: "Haven’t you read," He replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Jesus acknowledges the provision for divorce in the Mosaic Law but attributes it to the hardness of human hearts. He further clarifies that divorce is permissible only in cases of sexual immorality: "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery."

The Apostle Paul also addresses the topic in 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, providing guidance for believers married to unbelievers. He advises that if the unbelieving spouse consents to live with the believer, they should not divorce. However, if the unbeliever departs, the believer is not bound in such circumstances, emphasizing peace and the hope of salvation for the unbelieving spouse.

Principles and Implications

The biblical teachings on divorce highlight the sanctity and permanence of marriage as a divine institution. While allowances for divorce exist, they are limited and intended to address specific situations of marital unfaithfulness or abandonment. The overarching biblical narrative encourages reconciliation, forgiveness, and the pursuit of a harmonious marital relationship, reflecting the covenantal love between Christ and the Church.

The Scriptures call believers to approach marriage with seriousness and commitment, recognizing it as a reflection of God's covenantal relationship with His people. The teachings on divorce serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding the integrity and sanctity of the marital bond.Exodus 21:7-11
And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.
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Deuteronomy 21:10-14
When you go forth to war against your enemies, and the LORD your God has delivered them into your hands, and you have taken them captive,
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Deuteronomy 24:1-4
When a man has taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favor in his eyes, because he has found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorce, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.
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Ezra 10:1-16
Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled to him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.
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Nehemiah 13:23-30
In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:
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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 to her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but you have played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, said the LORD.
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Micah 2:9
The women of my people have you cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have you taken away my glory for ever.
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Malachi 2:14-16
Yet you say, Why? Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously: yet is she your companion, and the wife of your covenant.
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Matthew 5:31,32
It has been said, Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce:
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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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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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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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1 Corinthians 7:10-17
And to the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
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Moses, Allowing Divorce, and Christ Prohibiting It, Explained John ...
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death than by divorce; who had ... is here used of both sexes, in a general sense ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxxiv moses allowing divorce and.htm

The Consensus and Dissensus of Creeds.
... only for the original Scriptures of the ... clerical celibacy (Roman Catholic); the general
priesthood of ... in matrimonial legislation, mixed marriages, and divorce. ...
/.../ 115 the consensus and.htm

Concerning "Good," "Light," "Beautiful," "Desire," "Ecstasy ...
... For (as the infallible Scriptures say), a good tree ... unto their state, providing,
both in general and in ... Marriage is sacred, and divorce is wrong, because it ...
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Preliminary
... beyond reasonable doubt; and while, in general, the methods ... The Scriptures aim to
declare a certain idea of God, a ... The Mosaic law of divorce was looked upon by ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter i preliminary.htm

The Teacher with Authority
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to the scriptures (Mark 10 ... a wide range, and show very general familiarity with ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/ii the teacher with authority.htm

Of Matrimony.
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general circulation and ... The question of divorce is also discussed, whether ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/of matrimony.htm

English Congregational Creeds.
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as each in their general synods have ... XXV.), 'Of Marriage and Divorce,' and XXVI ...
/.../ 102 english congregational creeds.htm

What did Moses Write?
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divorce from Deuteronomy 24 ... not an injunction to search the Scriptures; it is ...
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From the Birth to the Ascension of Jesus.
... and the Pharisee and publican; (c) Concerning divorce; (d) the ... 3) Those found In
his general teachings ... The truthfulness of the Old Testament scriptures; (b) The ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xviii from the birth.htm

Chapter xvi.
... of fornication,' and not say rather, in a general way, Whosoever ... but "there is no
evidence in the Hebrew Scriptures that the ... "Divorce" in Schaff-Herzog Encycl. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xvi.htm

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