Deuteronomy 24:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Her former {H7223} husband {H1167}, which sent her away {H7971}, may {H3201} not take {H3947} her again {H7725} to be his wife {H802}, after {H310} that she is defiled {H2930}; for that is abomination {H8441} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}: and thou shalt not cause the land {H776} to sin {H2398}, which the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} giveth {H5414} thee for an inheritance {H5159}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In such a case her first husband, who sent her away, may not take her again as his wife, because she is now defiled. It would be detestable to ADONAI, and you are not to bring about sin in the land ADONAI your God is giving you as your inheritance.

Berean Standard Bible

then the husband who divorced her first may not remarry her after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination to the LORD. You must not bring sin upon the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

American Standard Version

her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Jehovah: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 24:4 concludes a pivotal passage on divorce and remarriage within the Mosaic Law, strictly prohibiting a man from remarrying his former wife if she has subsequently married another man and that second marriage has ended. This act is unequivocally declared an "abomination before the LORD," carrying the grave consequence of "causing the land to sin," thereby defiling the sacred inheritance God has given to Israel. The verse underscores the profound spiritual and communal implications of violating God's established order for marital covenants, emphasizing the irreversibility of certain actions and the interconnectedness of individual purity with the holiness of the land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the culmination of the legal stipulations regarding divorce introduced in [Deuteronomy 24:1-3](/deuteronomy/24-1 "Deuteronomy 24:1-3 - Laws of Divorce"). The preceding verses outline the scenario where a man divorces his wife by writing her a certificate of divorce, and she then marries another man. The law in [Deuteronomy 24:4](/deuteronomy/24-4 "Deuteronomy 24:4 - Prohibition of Remarriage to Former Spouse") specifically addresses the prohibition of the first husband taking her back as his wife after she has been with another man. This sequence of laws is not an endorsement of divorce but a regulation of an existing practice, aiming to mitigate its potential abuses and establish clear boundaries, particularly concerning the woman's status and the sanctity of marital bonds within the community. The broader context of [Deuteronomy 24](/deuteronomy/24 "Deuteronomy 24 - Various Laws") includes a series of diverse laws concerning social justice, community welfare, and ethical conduct, highlighting God's concern for order and purity in all aspects of Israelite life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, divorce was a common practice, typically initiated by the husband. While the Mosaic Law permitted divorce, it also introduced regulations that were often more protective of women than surrounding legal codes. The "certificate of divorce" (Deuteronomy 24:1) provided legal protection for the woman, preventing accusations of adultery and allowing her to remarry. The prohibition in [Deuteronomy 24:4](/deuteronomy/24-4 "Deuteronomy 24:4 - Prohibition of Remarriage to Former Spouse") likely aimed to prevent a chaotic "revolving door" of marriages and divorces, which could undermine social stability, lineage purity, and the dignity of women. It also addressed the concept of "defilement" incurred by the second marriage, which was seen as a permanent alteration of the woman's status in relation to her first husband, akin to a form of spiritual or ritual impurity that rendered the original bond irrecoverable. This law reinforced the seriousness of marriage as a covenant and sought to prevent a man from treating his wife as property to be discarded and reclaimed at will.
* **Key Themes:** [Deuteronomy 24:4](/deuteronomy/24-4 "Deuteronomy 24:4 - Prohibition of Remarriage to Former Spouse") powerfully articulates several core themes central to the Deuteronomic covenant. Firstly, it underscores the **sanctity and integrity of marriage** as a foundational covenantal relationship. While divorce was permitted due to human hardness of heart (as Jesus later explained in [Matthew 19:8](/matthew/19-8 "Matthew 19:8 - Jesus on Divorce")), this law limits its consequences, emphasizing that certain actions create irreversible breaks. Secondly, the theme of **holiness and purity of the land** is prominent. The phrase "thou shalt not cause the land to sin" connects the moral actions of individuals directly to the spiritual state of the land God gave as an inheritance. This concept is echoed elsewhere in the Pentateuch, where the land is said to "vomit out" its inhabitants due to their defiling sins (e.g., [Leviticus 18:25-28](/leviticus/18-25 "Leviticus 18:25-28 - Land Defiled by Immorality")). Finally, the verse highlights the **irreversibility of certain defilements and covenant breaches**. Once a woman has entered a second marriage, her relationship with the first husband is considered fundamentally altered and "defiled" in a way that precludes restoration, reinforcing the gravity of covenantal commitments and their permanent implications.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Defiled (Hebrew, _ṭāmēʾ_):** This verb signifies a state of ritual impurity or moral uncleanness. In the context of [Deuteronomy 24:4](/deuteronomy/24-4 "Deuteronomy 24:4 - Prohibition of Remarriage to Former Spouse"), the woman is considered "defiled" not necessarily in a moral sense (as if she committed adultery in the second marriage, which was legally sanctioned), but in a legal and spiritual sense regarding her original marital bond. Her union with a second husband fundamentally altered her status, rendering her "unclean" or "impure" for her first husband. This defilement is not about her personal sinfulness but about the breaking of the original, exclusive covenant bond, making its restoration an affront to divine order.
* **Abomination (Hebrew, _tôʿēḇāh_):** This is a very strong term in the Old Testament, denoting something utterly detestable, abhorrent, or repugnant to God. It is frequently used for idolatry, sexual perversions, and unjust practices that violate God's fundamental moral and covenantal standards. Its application here to the remarriage of a former husband to his "defiled" wife underscores the severity of this act in God's eyes, placing it in the same category as other grave offenses that pollute the land and incur divine wrath. It signifies a profound violation of God's design for marriage and societal order.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife,"**: This clause establishes the core prohibition. The man who initiated the divorce cannot reclaim his former wife. This is a direct command, laying down a strict legal boundary. The emphasis is on the "former husband" and his inability to re-establish a relationship that has been irrevocably broken by subsequent events.
* **"after that she is defiled;"**: This specifies the condition under which the prohibition applies. The "defilement" occurs when she enters into a second marriage. This is the crucial turning point; once she has been united with another man, her status in relation to her first husband is permanently altered, rendering her "defiled" for him. This is not a judgment on her character but a legal and spiritual consequence of the broken covenant.
* **"for that [is] abomination before the LORD:"**: This provides the divine rationale and severe judgment for violating the prohibition. The act of the first husband taking her back after her "defilement" is not merely a legal transgression but an "abomination"—something utterly repugnant to God. This elevates the law from a societal regulation to a divine imperative, rooted in God's holy character and His standards for purity and order.
* **"and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance."**: This clause highlights the far-reaching consequences of this "abomination." The individual act of violating this marital law is so grievous that it pollutes the very land of Israel. The land, as God's sacred inheritance, is sensitive to the moral and spiritual condition of its inhabitants. This phrase underscores the communal impact of individual sin and the interconnectedness between human obedience and the well-being of the promised land.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. It is primarily presented as **Legal Prose**, characteristic of the Deuteronomic code, with clear, prescriptive language and direct commands ("may not take," "shalt not cause"). The use of the strong theological term **"Abomination"** (תּוֹעֵבָה, *tôʿēḇāh*) functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Intensification**, elevating the prohibition from a mere social regulation to a grave offense against God's holiness. This term carries immense theological weight, signaling divine disgust and the severe consequences of disobedience. Furthermore, the phrase "cause the land to sin" is a powerful instance of **Personification**, attributing moral agency to the land itself. The land is depicted as being capable of being defiled or "sinning" due to the actions of its inhabitants, emphasizing the deep spiritual connection between the people's covenant fidelity and the purity of their sacred inheritance. This serves as a warning against the communal repercussions of individual transgression, creating a sense of shared responsibility for the nation's spiritual health.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 24:4 profoundly shapes our understanding of God's view on covenant, purity, and the consequences of human actions. It underscores that while God permitted divorce in ancient Israel due to the hardness of human hearts, He simultaneously established boundaries to preserve the sanctity of marriage and prevent marital chaos. The prohibition against a former husband remarrying his "defiled" wife highlights the irreversible nature of certain covenant breaches and the profound spiritual implications of actions that alter fundamental relationships. This law reveals God's commitment to order, His abhorrence of spiritual defilement, and the deep connection He draws between the moral conduct of His people and the holiness of the land He has given them. It is a testament to God's desire for a pure and ordered society that reflects His own character.

* [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - Abominations Defiling the Land")
* [Jeremiah 3:1](/jeremiah/3-1 "Jeremiah 3:1 - Israel as Unfaithful Wife")
* [Malachi 2:16](/malachi/2-16 "Malachi 2:16 - God Hates Divorce")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 24:4, though set in a specific ancient legal context, offers enduring principles for contemporary believers. It challenges us to consider the profound weight of our commitments, particularly within sacred covenants like marriage. The "defilement" described here reminds us that some actions, once taken, create spiritual and relational realities that cannot simply be undone or ignored. It calls us to a deeper understanding of the ripple effect of our choices, recognizing that personal sin can have communal and even environmental consequences, metaphorically "causing the land to sin." This verse encourages a high view of marriage as a covenantal bond, urging us to pursue purity, fidelity, and integrity in all our relationships. It is a sober reminder that God is a God of order and holiness, and His standards are not arbitrary but are designed for our flourishing and the well-being of the communities we inhabit. We are called to live in a manner that honors Him, recognizing that our actions have implications far beyond ourselves.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "defilement" in this verse challenge modern understandings of relational boundaries and the permanence of certain actions?**
* **In what ways might our individual choices today, even those seemingly private, "cause the land to sin" or impact the spiritual health of our communities?**
* **How can we cultivate a higher regard for the sanctity of covenantal relationships, reflecting God's desire for order and purity, in our contemporary context?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean that divorce is always an "abomination" in God's eyes?**

Answer: Not directly. [Deuteronomy 24:4](/deuteronomy/24-4 "Deuteronomy 24:4 - Prohibition of Remarriage to Former Spouse") does not declare divorce itself an "abomination." Instead, the "abomination" refers specifically to the act of a man remarrying his former wife *after* she has been married to another man and that second marriage has ended. The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 24:1-3) describe the legal process of divorce in ancient Israel, which was permitted, albeit regulated. Jesus later clarified in [Matthew 19:8](/matthew/19-8 "Matthew 19:8 - Jesus on Divorce") that Moses permitted divorce "because of your hardness of heart," not because it was God's original ideal. The "abomination" in [Deuteronomy 24:4](/deuteronomy/24-4 "Deuteronomy 24:4 - Prohibition of Remarriage to Former Spouse") is about the specific violation of the permanent alteration of the marital bond once a second marriage has occurred, preventing a chaotic and defiling back-and-forth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 24:4 addresses a specific legal prohibition within the Old Covenant, its underlying principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The concept of "defilement" and "abomination" for violating a covenantal bond points to the absolute purity and holiness required by God, a standard no human can perfectly meet. This law, like the entire Mosaic Law, reveals the depth of human sin and the impossibility of achieving righteousness through adherence to external regulations. Jesus, in His teaching on divorce in [Matthew 5:31-32](/matthew/5-31 "Matthew 5:31-32 - Jesus on Divorce") and [Matthew 19:3-9](/matthew/19-3 "Matthew 19:3-9 - Jesus on Divorce and Remarriage"), goes beyond the letter of the Deuteronomic law, restoring God's original design for marriage as a lifelong, indissoluble union, effectively raising the standard and exposing the sinfulness of divorce itself, save for specific circumstances. Furthermore, the idea of "causing the land to sin" foreshadows the ultimate spiritual defilement of humanity by sin, which could only be cleansed by a perfect sacrifice. Christ, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became "defiled" (made sin) on our behalf, taking upon Himself the "abomination" of our transgressions, so that we might be made righteous and reconciled to God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His new covenant, He offers not merely external regulations but a transformed heart, enabling true purity and fidelity that transcends the limitations of the old law ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant")). The ultimate fulfillment lies in Christ's perfect restoration of covenant relationship, making us, His church, a pure and undefiled bride, forever united with Him ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church as Bride")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 3:1

¶ They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.

Leviticus 18:24

Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:

Leviticus 18:28

That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that [were] before you.

Joshua 22:17

[Is] the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,

Joshua 22:18

But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, [seeing] ye rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.