Deuteronomy 24:4
Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יוּכַ֣ל
may
H3201
יוּכַ֣ל
may
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
2 of 29
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
בַּעְלָ֣הּ
husband
H1167
בַּעְלָ֣הּ
husband
Strong's:
H1167
Word #:
3 of 29
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
הָֽרִאשׁ֣וֹן
Her former
H7223
הָֽרִאשׁ֣וֹן
Her former
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
4 of 29
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
אֲשֶֽׁר
H834
אֲשֶֽׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שִׁ֠לְּחָהּ
which sent her away
H7971
שִׁ֠לְּחָהּ
which sent her away
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
6 of 29
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
לָשׁ֨וּב
her again
H7725
לָשׁ֨וּב
her again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
7 of 29
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לְקַחְתָּ֜הּ
not take
H3947
לְקַחְתָּ֜הּ
not take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
8 of 29
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
לִֽהְי֧וֹת
H1961
לִֽהְי֧וֹת
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 29
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אַֽחֲרֵי֙
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵי֙
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
12 of 29
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֻטַּמָּ֔אָה
that she is defiled
H2930
הֻטַּמָּ֔אָה
that she is defiled
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
14 of 29
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תוֹעֵבָ֥ה
for that is abomination
H8441
תוֹעֵבָ֥ה
for that is abomination
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
16 of 29
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
הִ֖וא
H1931
הִ֖וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
17 of 29
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
18 of 29
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
19 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
20 of 29
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַֽחֲטִיא֙
to sin
H2398
תַֽחֲטִיא֙
to sin
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
21 of 29
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
22 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאָ֔רֶץ
and thou shalt not cause the land
H776
הָאָ֔רֶץ
and thou shalt not cause the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
23 of 29
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
24 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
25 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
26 of 29
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Historical Context
This law prevented manipulation where men divorced wives temporarily, allowing them to marry others, then remarried them. Such treatment of marriage as fluid arrangement contradicted God's design for permanent covenants.
The language of land defilement recalls laws about sexual immorality (Leviticus 18:25-28) - sexual sin pollutes the land and brings judgment on the nation.
Questions for Reflection
- What does prohibition against remarrying the first husband teach about marriage permanence?
- How does this law prevent manipulation and protect women from being treated as commodities?
- Why does remarrying the first husband after intervening marriage constitute defilement?
- What does the language of land defilement teach about corporate consequences of sexual sin?
- How should the strong language ('abomination') shape our view of the seriousness of sexual ethics?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. The prohibition against the first husband remarrying her prevents treating marriage as temporary arrangement. Marriage should be permanent commitment, not revolving door relationship.
The word defiled is controversial - not that the woman sinned by remarrying (which was permitted) but that returning to the first husband after marrying another creates improper sexual combination. The intervening marriage makes reunion with the first husband inappropriate.
Calling this abomination before the LORD uses strong language indicating serious covenant violation. Though individual divorce may be permitted, manipulating marriages through divorce-remarriage cycles defiles the land and violates God's design for marriage permanence.
The phrase cause the land to sin emphasizes corporate consequences. Individual sexual sins defile not just persons but the land itself, affecting the whole community. Sexual ethics have public, communal dimensions.