King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
Complete Jewish Bible:
They said to him, "Then why did Moshe give the commandment that a man should hand his wife a get and divorce her?"
Berean Standard Bible:
“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
American Standard Version:
They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
They say{G3004} unto him{G846}, Why{G5101} did Moses{G3475} then{G3767} command{G1781} to give{G1325} a writing{G975} of divorcement{G647}, and{G2532} to put{G630} her{G846} away{G630}?
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 24:1
- ¶ When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house.
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.
Matthew 5:31
- It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
Mark 10:4
- And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put [her] away.
Malachi 2:16
- For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for [one] covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
Matthew 1:19
- Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
Jeremiah 3:8
- And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
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Commentary for Matthew 19:7
Matthew 19:7 is part of a larger narrative where Jesus is addressing the topic of marriage and divorce. The verse specifically quotes the Pharisees as they question Jesus about the law of Moses concerning divorce. The historical context is crucial to understanding this verse. During the time of Jesus, there was a debate among Jewish scholars about the grounds for divorce. This debate was rooted in Deuteronomy 24:1, where Moses allows for a man to write a certificate of divorce and send his wife away if she finds "no favor in his eyes because he has found something indecent about her."
In the verse, the Pharisees are essentially asking Jesus why Moses permitted divorce if marriage is considered a sacred union. Their question is a challenge to Jesus' teaching on the permanence of marriage, as they perceive a contradiction between Jesus' stance and the Mosaic Law.
Jesus' response to this question, which unfolds in the subsequent verses, reveals his interpretation of the Mosaic Law. He explains that Moses permitted divorce because of the hardness of people's hearts, but this was not God's original intention for marriage. Jesus emphasizes the indissolubility of marriage, quoting Genesis to highlight that a man and woman become "one flesh" through marriage, implying that what God has joined together, humans should not separate (Matthew 19:4-6).
The themes present in this verse include the sanctity of marriage, the interpretation of the Law, and the tension between legalism and the spirit of the law as taught by Jesus. This passage underscores Jesus' authority to interpret the Law and the prophets, and it challenges his audience to move beyond a legalistic approach to relationships and religious practice, advocating instead for a deeper commitment to the spirit and intent behind the laws of Moses.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G3004
There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λέγω
Transliteration: légō
Pronunciation: leg'-o
Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G5101
There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τίς
Transliteration: tís
Pronunciation: tis
Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why. - Strong's Number: G3475
There are 79 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Μωσεύς
Transliteration: Mōseús
Pronunciation: mo-oo-sace'
Description: of Hebrew origin; (מֹשֶׁה); Moseus, Moses, or Mouses (i.e. Mosheh), the Hebrew lawgiver:--Moses. - Strong's Number: G3767
There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὖν
Transliteration: oûn
Pronunciation: oon
Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore. - Strong's Number: G1781
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐντέλλομαι
Transliteration: entéllomai
Pronunciation: en-tel'-lom-ahee
Description: from ἐν and the base of τέλος; to enjoin:--(give) charge, (give) command(-ments), injoin. - Strong's Number: G1325
There are 377 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δίδωμι
Transliteration: dídōmi
Pronunciation: did'-o-mee
Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):--adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield. - Strong's Number: G975
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: βιβλίον
Transliteration: biblíon
Pronunciation: bib-lee'-on
Description: a diminutive of βίβλος; a roll:--bill, book, scroll, writing. - Strong's Number: G647
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀποστάσιον
Transliteration: apostásion
Pronunciation: ap-os-tas'-ee-on
Description: neuter of a (presumed) adjective from a derivative of ἀφίστημι; properly, something separative, i.e. (specially) divorce:--(writing of) divorcement. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G630
There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπολύω
Transliteration: apolýō
Pronunciation: ap-ol-oo'-o
Description: from ἀπό and λύω; to free fully, i.e. (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce:--(let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty.