Deu 24:1-4 | TNotes | STEP | 24:1 something wrong: This phrase indicates sexual impurity or some other impropriety. It does not pertain to adultery, which would have required the death penalty (22:22 ). • a document of divorce: This procedure was a concession; initiating a divorce in such cases was optional and not necessarily desirable (see Mal 2:16 ; Matt 5:31-32 ; Mark 10:2-12 ).

cMal 2:16►

dMatt 5:31-32►

eMark 10:2-12►

‏ Deuteronomy 24:1-4

24:1 ^a something wrong: This phrase indicates sexual impurity or some other impropriety. It does not pertain to adultery, which would have required the death penalty (22:22 ^b).

• a document of divorce: This procedure was a concession; initiating a divorce in such cases was optional and not necessarily desirable (see Mal 2:16 ^c; Matt 5:31-32 ^d; Mark 10:2-12 ^e).
24:4 ^f Perhaps the woman is described as defiled because she had two husbands; returning to the first husband would be considered adultery.

• guilt upon the land: The concept of community was so strong in ancient Israel that the individual’s identity almost merged with that of the community. The sin of one individual had collective, corporate consequences.