Deuteronomy 24:5

ΒΆ When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: [but] he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.

When a man {H376} hath taken {H3947} a new {H2319} wife {H802}, he shall not go out {H3318} to war {H6635}, neither shall he be charged {H5674} with any business {H1697}: but he shall be free {H5355} at home {H1004} one {H259} year {H8141}, and shall cheer up {H8055} his wife {H802} which he hath taken {H3947}.

"If a man has recently married his wife, he is not to be subject to military service; he is to be free of external obligations and left at home for one year to make his new wife happy.

If a man is newly married, he must not be sent to war or be pressed into any duty. For one year he is free to stay at home and bring joy to the wife he has married.

When a man taketh a new wife, he shall not go out in the host, neither shall he be charged with any business: he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer his wife whom he hath taken.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 24:5 is part of a broader collection of social and ethical laws given to ancient Israel through Moses as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy itself serves as Moses' final discourse, reiterating and expanding upon the covenant laws. This specific verse falls within a section addressing various aspects of civil and domestic life, emphasizing justice, compassion, and the preservation of the social fabric.

Key Themes

  • Prioritizing Marital Foundation: This law uniquely exempts a newly married man from military service and other public duties for a full year. This demonstrates God’s profound emphasis on the establishment and strengthening of the family unit as the bedrock of society. It underscores the importance of a secure and joyful beginning for a new marriage, free from external pressures.
  • Marital Joy and Emotional Well-being: The command to "cheer up his wife" highlights the emotional and relational aspect of marriage. It's not just about physical presence but active engagement in cultivating joy and intimacy during the crucial first year. This period was designed for bonding and mutual delight, setting a positive trajectory for the union.
  • Divine Compassion and Wisdom: God's law here reveals a compassionate understanding of human nature and the complexities of starting a new life together. By providing this exemption, the Lord ensures that the new couple has dedicated time to build their relationship, settle into their new roles, and potentially begin their family without the immediate threat of separation or the burdens of war. This echoes other exemptions from military service, such as those who had built a new house or planted a vineyard, found in Deuteronomy 20:7 for a newly betrothed man.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "cheer up his wife" translates from the Hebrew word samach (Χ©ΦΈΧ‚ΧžΦ·Χ—), which means to be joyful, to rejoice, or to make glad. It implies an active effort to bring delight and happiness to his new spouse. This isn't merely about passive presence but about fostering a joyful and celebratory atmosphere within the new home, encouraging deep connection and mutual satisfaction.

Practical Application

While the specific military exemption is tied to ancient Israelite law, the underlying principles of Deuteronomy 24:5 remain profoundly relevant for modern relationships and society:

  • Invest in the Foundation: The verse reminds us of the critical importance of intentionally investing in the early stages of a marriage. Couples should prioritize time, communication, and shared experiences to build a strong, lasting foundation.
  • Prioritize Relationships: It challenges us to consider how much we prioritize family and personal relationships over career demands or external pressures. God's law here suggests that some societal duties can and should yield to the sacred space of a new marriage.
  • Cultivate Joy: The command to "cheer up his wife" is a timeless call for spouses to actively pursue each other's happiness and well-being. Marriage is meant to be a source of joy and mutual encouragement, a truth echoed in passages like Proverbs 5:18 which speaks of rejoicing with the wife of your youth.

This verse ultimately speaks to God's care for the individual, the family, and the strength of the community, recognizing that healthy families are the building blocks of a healthy nation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 20:7

    And what man [is there] that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.

  • Proverbs 5:18

    Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

  • Genesis 2:24

    Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

  • Titus 2:4

    That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

  • Titus 2:5

    [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

  • Mark 10:6

    But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

  • Mark 10:9

    What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
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