Deu 24:1 | MHM | STEP | Deuteronomy 24:1: The Law Concerning Divorce This passage gives rules about divorce in Israel. Jesus explained that Moses allowed divorce only because people’s hearts were hard and stubborn (Matthew 19:7 ). God did not command divorce, but he gave laws to control it and protect people, especially women. The law set limits and tried to stop people from divorcing for small or selfish reasons. v. 1 : A man could not divorce his wife for just any reason. He had to find “some uncleanness” in her. This meant something serious, but not adultery, because adultery was punished by death. It could mean a bad attitude, shameful behavior, or something that made her disagreeable. The divorce had to be in writing, not just spoken quickly, so it would not be done in anger or by mistake (Matthew 19:3 ).

‏ Deuteronomy 24:1

Deuteronomy 24:1: The Law Concerning Divorce

This passage gives rules about divorce in Israel. Jesus explained that Moses allowed divorce only because people’s hearts were hard and stubborn (Matthew 19:7 ^a). God did not command divorce, but he gave laws to control it and protect people, especially women. The law set limits and tried to stop people from divorcing for small or selfish reasons.

v. 1: A man could not divorce his wife for just any reason. He had to find “some uncleanness” in her. This meant something serious, but not adultery, because adultery was punished by death. It could mean a bad attitude, shameful behavior, or something that made her disagreeable. The divorce had to be in writing, not just spoken quickly, so it would not be done in anger or by mistake (Matthew 19:3 ^b).