Deuteronomy 24:2

And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's [wife].

And when she is departed out {H3318} of his house {H1004}, she may go {H1980} and be another {H312} man's {H376} wife.

She leaves his house, goes and becomes another man's wife;

If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife,

And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife.

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 24:2

Deuteronomy 24:2 is part of a crucial passage (Deuteronomy 24:1-4) in the Mosaic Law that addresses the issue of divorce and remarriage in ancient Israel. This specific verse describes a scenario where a woman, having been divorced by her first husband, subsequently marries another man. It sets the stage for the prohibition introduced in the following verses regarding her return to her first husband.

Context and Historical Significance

This verse does not institute divorce but regulates an existing practice common in the ancient Near East. In a society where men typically initiated divorce, the law provided a "bill of divorcement" (mentioned in Deuteronomy 24:1), which served to legally free the woman from her first marriage, allowing her to remarry without being accused of adultery. The purpose was to bring some order and protection for the woman, particularly in the context of subsequent marriages. The broader passage culminates in the prohibition of the first husband taking her back if she has been with another man, indicating the seriousness with which God viewed the disruption of marital bonds and the establishment of new ones.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Regulation, Not Institution: The law acknowledges the reality of divorce due to "hardness of heart," as Jesus later explained in Matthew 19:8, rather than promoting it as God's ideal.
  • Protection for the Divorced Woman: While seemingly harsh, the legal provision for a divorced woman to remarry (to "be another man's wife") offered her a path to social and economic stability, preventing her from becoming destitute or perpetually bound to her first husband.
  • Marital Integrity: The passage implicitly underscores the gravity of marital covenants. The fact that a woman cannot return to her first husband after being with another (as stated in Deuteronomy 24:4) emphasizes that marriage creates a profound and lasting bond, even when broken.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "be another man's [wife]" uses the Hebrew word בַּעַל (ba'al), which can mean "owner," "master," or "husband." Here, it clearly denotes the establishment of a new, legitimate marital relationship, emphasizing the woman becoming the legal and rightful spouse of the second man. This new relationship is what then creates the irreversible barrier for returning to the first husband according to the law in verse 4.

Practical Application and Reflection

Deuteronomy 24:2, when read in its full context, provides insight into God's approach to the complex issue of divorce in a fallen world. While God's original design for marriage is a lifelong union (Genesis 2:24), this law shows His concern for justice and order even when human sinfulness leads to the breaking of covenants. It reminds us that our actions have consequences, and that even within the allowance of law, there are boundaries and implications for the sanctity of marriage and family relationships. Understanding this passage helps us appreciate the depth of God's wisdom in navigating human brokenness while still upholding the high ideal of covenant faithfulness.

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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 5:32 (2 votes)

    But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

  • Leviticus 21:14 (2 votes)

    A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, [or] an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.

  • Numbers 30:9 (2 votes)

    But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her.

  • Mark 10:11 (2 votes)

    And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

  • Ezekiel 44:22 (2 votes)

    Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away: but they shall take maidens of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that had a priest before.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:15 (2 votes)

    But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such [cases]: but God hath called us to peace.

  • Leviticus 21:7 (2 votes)

    They shall not take a wife [that is] a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he [is] holy unto his God.