Deuteronomy 24:3

Authorized King James Version

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;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּשְׂנֵאָהּ֮
hate
to hate (personally)
#2
הָאִ֣ישׁ
husband
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)
#3
הָאַֽחֲר֔וֹן
And if the latter
hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western
#4
וְכָ֨תַב
her and write
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#5
לָ֜הּ
H0
#6
סֵ֤פֶר
her a bill
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
#7
כְּרִיתֻת֙
of divorcement
a cutting (of the matrimonial bond), i.e., divorce
#8
וְנָתַ֣ן
and giveth
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#9
בְּיָדָ֔הּ
it in her hand
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
#10
וְשִׁלְּחָ֖הּ
and sendeth
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#11
מִבֵּית֑וֹ
her out of his house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#12
א֣וֹ
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
#13
כִ֤י
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#14
יָמוּת֙
die
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#15
הָאִ֣ישׁ
husband
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)
#16
הָאַֽחֲר֔וֹן
And if the latter
hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western
#17
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#18
לְקָחָ֥הּ
which took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#19
ל֖וֹ
H0
#20
לְאִשָּֽׁה׃
her to be his wife
a woman

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Deuteronomy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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