Deuteronomy 24:3
And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;
Original Language Analysis
הָאִ֣ישׁ
husband
H376
הָאִ֣ישׁ
husband
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 20
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הָאַֽחֲר֔וֹן
And if the latter
H314
הָאַֽחֲר֔וֹן
And if the latter
Strong's:
H314
Word #:
3 of 20
hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western
וְכָ֨תַב
her and write
H3789
וְכָ֨תַב
her and write
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
4 of 20
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
סֵ֤פֶר
her a bill
H5612
סֵ֤פֶר
her a bill
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
כְּרִיתֻת֙
of divorcement
H3748
כְּרִיתֻת֙
of divorcement
Strong's:
H3748
Word #:
7 of 20
a cutting (of the matrimonial bond), i.e., divorce
וְנָתַ֣ן
and giveth
H5414
וְנָתַ֣ן
and giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּיָדָ֔הּ
it in her hand
H3027
בְּיָדָ֔הּ
it in her hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 20
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְשִׁלְּחָ֖הּ
and sendeth
H7971
וְשִׁלְּחָ֖הּ
and sendeth
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
10 of 20
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מִבֵּית֑וֹ
her out of his house
H1004
מִבֵּית֑וֹ
her out of his house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 20
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
א֣וֹ
H176
א֣וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
12 of 20
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
כִ֤י
H3588
כִ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָמוּת֙
die
H4191
יָמוּת֙
die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
14 of 20
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
הָאִ֣ישׁ
husband
H376
הָאִ֣ישׁ
husband
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
15 of 20
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הָאַֽחֲר֔וֹן
And if the latter
H314
הָאַֽחֲר֔וֹן
And if the latter
Strong's:
H314
Word #:
16 of 20
hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
Ancient societies recognized both death and divorce as marriage-ending events. This law's treatment of them comparably shows that divorce, though tragic result of sin, genuinely terminates the marriage covenant.
The requirement for consistent legal procedure in subsequent divorces prevented arbitrary treatment of women and maintained social order.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the parallel between divorce and death teach about marriage termination?
- How does requiring consistent legal procedure protect social order?
- Why is it important that divorce genuinely ends marriage rather than creating permanent limbo?
- What does this teach about the finality of legal divorce despite its tragic nature?
- How should the comparison to death inform pastoral response to divorce?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife. This verse continues the hypothetical scenario - the second marriage also ends, either through divorce or death. The same legal procedure applies to the second divorce as to the first.
The parallel between divorce and death in ending marriage demonstrates that both genuinely terminate the marriage covenant. Death's undisputed marriage-ending power is placed alongside divorce, indicating divorce also truly ends the union.
The repetition of the divorce procedure (write her a bill of divorcement) emphasizes legal consistency. Whether first or subsequent marriage, proper legal dissolution requires formal documentation, not informal abandonment.
This sets up verse 4's prohibition against the first husband remarrying her - the issue is not whether divorce is final (it is) but whether marriages should be treated as revolving doors.