Topical Bible: Divorce: Often Sought by the Jews

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Divorce, as a legal dissolution of marriage, is a topic addressed in various parts of the Bible, reflecting its prevalence and the challenges it posed within Jewish society. The Mosaic Law provided specific regulations concerning divorce, which were often interpreted and applied in ways that led to its frequent occurrence among the Jews.

Old Testament Context

The primary Old Testament passage concerning divorce is found in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. This passage outlines the procedure for a man to divorce his wife, requiring him to write her a certificate of divorce. The text 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). This provision was intended to protect the rights of the woman, ensuring she had a formal document that allowed her to remarry.

The phrase "something indecent" has been the subject of much debate among Jewish scholars and rabbis. Some interpreted it narrowly, allowing divorce only in cases of serious misconduct, while others adopted a broader interpretation, permitting divorce for more trivial reasons. This divergence in interpretation contributed to the frequency of divorce in Jewish society.

Prophetic Critique

The prophets of the Old Testament often criticized the Israelites for their casual approach to divorce, which they saw as symptomatic of a broader spiritual unfaithfulness. Malachi, for instance, rebukes the people for their treachery against their wives, declaring, "For I hate divorce, says the LORD, the God of Israel" (Malachi 2:16). This strong language underscores the seriousness with which God views the marriage covenant and His disapproval of its dissolution.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of divorce directly, challenging the prevailing Jewish practices of His time. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Pharisees question Jesus about the legality of divorce, referencing the Mosaic Law. Jesus responds by pointing back to the original intent of marriage, stating, "Have you not read that from 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" (Matthew 19:4-6).

Jesus further clarifies that Moses permitted divorce due to the hardness of people's hearts, but it was not so from the beginning (Matthew 19:8). He emphasizes the sanctity and permanence of marriage, allowing divorce only in cases of sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9). This teaching elevates the standard for marriage and divorce, calling believers to a higher level of commitment and fidelity.

Apostolic Guidance

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of divorce in his letters, providing guidance for believers in the early church. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul advises married couples to remain together, emphasizing reconciliation and peace. He writes, "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" (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).

Paul acknowledges situations where an unbelieving spouse may choose to leave the marriage, in which case the believer is not bound (1 Corinthians 7:15). This guidance reflects a pastoral concern for the realities faced by early Christians, while still upholding the ideal of marital unity.

Cultural and Historical Considerations

The frequent seeking of divorce among the Jews can be understood within the broader cultural and historical context of the time. Marriage was often viewed as a social contract with significant legal and economic implications. The flexibility in divorce laws provided a means to address various personal and familial issues, though it also led to abuses and a devaluation of the marriage covenant.

Throughout the biblical narrative, the consistent message is one of upholding the sanctity of marriage as a divine institution. The teachings of both the Old and New Testaments call believers to honor their marital commitments, reflecting God's faithfulness and love.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Malachi 2:14
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Journey to Jerusalem - Departure from Ephraim by Way of ...
... so like that which they had so often witnessed and ... In the one case, the benefit sought
was the object, in ... in regard to the Jewish law and practice of divorce. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxii on the journey.htm

Jesus at the Well.
... Often those least truly religious in life have most faith ... divorce laws of the age,
permitting a "divorce for any ... when no holy place need be sought for worship. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus at the well.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... It is often used in the New Testament, and always ... her an adulteress [the mere fact
of divorce did not make ... of disgrace from which she invariably sought to free ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 4.htm

Acts XIX
... the houses erected for public worship are often closed against ... with money, and
Bar-jesus had sought to convince ... in reference to marriage and divorce, and the ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xix.htm

Jesus Sets Out from Jud??a for Galilee.
... have said that a man might properly divorce his wife ... by such a feeling, this woman
sought to have ... Thus wealth often dwarfs where it should rather enlarge the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxvi jesus sets out from 2.htm

End of Three Months' Ministry in Jerusalem.
... This charge was often made against him ... They sought again to take him ... An example of
these is found in the Savior's teaching upon the subject of divorce, found in ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/end of three months ministry.htm

The Gospel of Mark
... so that even his friends and relatives sought to restrain him ... gives his opinion on
the question of divorce; then He ... to that of the aorist, and often uses the ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospel of mark.htm

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
... social inferiority, she takes influential and often leading part ... they had afterwards
the right of insisting upon divorce. ... the sons of Eli, who sought to enrich ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 9 mothers daughters and.htm

The First Sayings of Jesus --His Ideas of a Divine Father and of a ...
... within you," said he to those who sought with subtlety ... b; Siphra, 170 b. The expression
appears often in the ... least harsh word;[2] he prohibited divorce,[3] and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter v the first sayings.htm

Index of Subjects.
... forbearing, even in judgment, [237]165; often enforces obedience ... Consolation, whence
to be sought by mourners, [404]209 ... Divorce, why allowed to the Jews, [539]119 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/index of subjects.htm