Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, New Living Translation “Suppose a man marries a woman but she does not please him. Having discovered something wrong with her, he writes a document of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house. English Standard Version “When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, and she departs out of his house, Berean Standard Bible If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. Berean Literal Bible When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it comes to pass that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found in her some uncleanness, and he writes to her a certificate of divorce and puts it into her hand and sends her out of his house, King James Bible 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. New King James Version “When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, New American Standard Bible “When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens, if she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, that he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her away from his house, NASB 1995 “When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out from his house, NASB 1977 “When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out from his house, Legacy Standard Bible “If a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out from his house, Amplified Bible “When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she loses his favor because he has found something indecent or unacceptable about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, Berean Annotated Bible If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce <Mat 5:31>, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. Christian Standard Bible “If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, he may write her a divorce certificate, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. Holman Christian Standard Bible If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds something improper about her, he may write her a divorce certificate, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. American Standard Version When a man taketh a wife, and marrieth her, then it shall be, if she find no favor in his eyes, because he hath found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. Contemporary English Version Suppose a woman was divorced by her first husband because he found something disgraceful about her. He wrote out divorce papers, gave them to her, and sent her away. English Revised Version When a man taketh a wife, and marrieth her, then it shall be, if she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. GOD'S WORD® Translation This is what you must do if a husband writes out a certificate of divorce, gives it to his wife, and makes her leave his house. (He divorced her because he found out something indecent about her and she no longer pleased him.) Good News Translation "Suppose a man marries a woman and later decides that he doesn't want her, because he finds something about her that he doesn't like. So he writes out divorce papers, gives them to her, and sends her away from his home. International Standard Version "If a man chooses to enter into marriage with a woman, but she finds herself displeasing to him because he has found something objectionable about her, he must draw up divorce papers, hand them to her, and then send her out of his house. NET Bible If a man marries a woman and she does not please him because he has found something offensive in her, then he may draw up a divorce document, give it to her, and evict her from his house. New Heart English Bible When a man takes a wife, and marries her, then it shall be, if she find no favor in his eyes, because he has found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a bill of divorce, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. Webster's Bible Translation When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it shall come to pass that she findeth no favor 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. World English Bible When a man takes a wife and marries her, then it shall be, if she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a certificate of divorce, put it in her hand, and send her out of his house. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“When a man takes a wife and has married her, and it has been, if she does not find grace in his eyes (for he has found nakedness in her of anything), then he has written a writing of divorce for her, and given [it] into her hand, and sent her out of his house; Berean Literal Bible When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it comes to pass that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found in her some uncleanness, and he writes to her a certificate of divorce and puts it into her hand and sends her out of his house, Young's Literal Translation When a man doth take a wife, and hath married her, and it hath been, if she doth not find grace in his eyes (for he hath found in her nakedness of anything), and he hath written for her a writing of divorce, and given it into her hand, and sent her out of his house, Smith's Literal Translation When a man shall take a wife and he married her, and it was if she shall find not favor in his eyes because he found in her a nakedness of the word: and he wrote for her a writing of cutting off, and gave in her hand, and sent her away from his house. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf a man take a wife, and have her, and she find not favour in his eyes, for some uncleanness: he shall write a bill of divorce, and shall give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. Catholic Public Domain Version “If a man takes a wife, and he has her, and she does not find favor before his eyes because of some vileness, then he shall write a bill of divorce, and he shall give it to her hand, and he shall dismiss her from his house. New American Bible When a man, after marrying a woman, is later displeased with her because he finds in her something indecent, and he writes out a bill of divorce and hands it to her, thus dismissing her from his house, New Revised Standard Version Suppose a man enters into marriage with a woman, but she does not please him because he finds something objectionable about her, and so he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house; she then leaves his house Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIF a man takes a wife, and lies with her, and if she finds no favor in his eyes, because he has found some evidence of open prostitution in her; then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it to her, and send her out of his house. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated "And if a man will take a wife and he will have sexual intercourse with her, if she has not found love before him because he has found in her a matter of disgrace, he shall write to her a writing of divorce and he shall give it to her and he shall send her away. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917When a man taketh a wife, and marrieth her, then it cometh to pass, if she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some unseemly thing in her, that he writeth her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house, Brenton Septuagint Translation And if any one should take a wife, and should dwell with her, then it shall come to pass if she should not have found favour before him, because he has found some unbecoming thing in her, that he shall write for her a bill of divorcement, and give it into her hands, and he shall send her away out of his house. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Law of Divorce1If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. 2If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife,… Cross References If a man marries a woman, Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Matthew 19:5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? Genesis 24:67 And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death. but she becomes displeasing to him Deuteronomy 21:15-17 If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him. Genesis 29:31 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. Esther 1:19 So if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree, and let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti shall never again enter the presence of King Xerxes, and that her royal position shall be given to a woman better than she. because he finds some indecency in her, Matthew 19:9 Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Matthew 5:32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Mark 10:11-12 So He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. / And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” he may write her a certificate of divorce, Jeremiah 3:8 She saw that because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. Yet that unfaithful sister Judah had no fear and prostituted herself as well. Isaiah 50:1 This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away. Matthew 19:7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” hand it to her, Matthew 5:31 It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ Mark 10:4 They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.” Luke 16:18 Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. and send her away from his house. Genesis 21:14 Early in the morning, Abraham got up, took bread and a skin of water, put them on Hagar’s shoulders, and sent her away with the boy. She left and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. Treasury of Scripture When a man has taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favor in his eyes, because he has found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorce, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. hath taken Deuteronomy 21:15 If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated: Deuteronomy 22:13 If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her, Exodus 21:10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish. uncleanness [heb] matter of nakedness Deuteronomy 24:3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; 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. Matthew 5:31,32 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: … divorcement [heb] cutting off Isaiah 50:1 Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away. send her Deuteronomy 22:19,29 And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days… 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. Jump to Previous Bill Divorce Eyes Hand House Married Marries Marrieth Uncleanness Unseemly Wife Write WritethJump to Next Bill Divorce Eyes Hand House Married Marries Marrieth Uncleanness Unseemly Wife Write WritethDeuteronomy 24 1. Of divorce5. A new married man goes not to war 6. Of pledges 7. Of kidnapping 8. Of leprosy 10. Of pledges 14. The hire is to be given 16. Of justice 19. Of charity If a man marries a woman In ancient Israel, marriage was a covenantal relationship, often arranged by families. It was a legal and social contract, reflecting the union between God and His people. The marriage covenant is foundational in Scripture, symbolizing the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32). but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her he may write her a certificate of divorce hand it to her and send her away from his house Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws to the Israelites. 2. Israelites The audience receiving the law, God's chosen people, preparing to enter the Promised Land. 3. Marriage The covenant relationship between a man and a woman, central to the social structure of Israel. 4. Divorce The legal dissolution of marriage, addressed here with specific conditions. 5. Certificate of Divorce A formal document required to legally end a marriage, providing protection and rights to the woman. Teaching Points Understanding the ContextRecognize that Deuteronomy 24:1 was given in a specific cultural and historical context where divorce was already practiced. The law aimed to regulate and protect, not endorse divorce. The Sanctity of Marriage Marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God. This passage underscores the seriousness of entering and maintaining this covenant. The Role of the Heart Jesus highlights that the allowance for divorce was due to the hardness of human hearts. Believers are called to cultivate hearts that align with God's original design for marriage. Legal Protections and Compassion The requirement of a certificate of divorce was a legal protection for women, ensuring their rights and dignity. This reflects God's concern for justice and compassion. Reflecting Christ in Marriage Christian marriages should strive to reflect the love, commitment, and sacrifice exemplified by Christ and the Church. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 24:1?2. How does Deuteronomy 24:1 address the issue of divorce among Israelites? 3. What does "certificate of divorce" signify in Deuteronomy 24:1? 4. How does Matthew 19:8 relate to Deuteronomy 24:1 on divorce? 5. How can we apply Deuteronomy 24:1 to modern Christian marriages? 6. What does Deuteronomy 24:1 teach about the sanctity of marriage? 7. How does Deuteronomy 24:1 align with the concept of marriage as a sacred covenant? 8. Why does Deuteronomy 24:1 permit divorce if marriage is intended to be lifelong? 9. What historical context influenced the divorce laws in Deuteronomy 24:1? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 24? 11. Where is the archaeological or historical evidence that these specific laws in Deuteronomy 24 were widely observed in ancient Israel? 12. How can God renew a covenant with Israel in Jeremiah 3:1–8 despite Deuteronomy 24:1–4 forbidding reunions after divorce? 13. In Deuteronomy 24:1–4, how can divorce be justified when other biblical passages seem to condemn it entirely? 14. Is this your official Certificate of Divorce? What Does Deuteronomy 24:1 Mean If a man marries a woman• Marriage begins as God-ordained covenant (Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:14). • The law addresses real, broken situations without cancelling the ideal (Matthew 19:4-6). • By starting with “if,” Moses signals a case law: guidance for judges and community, not encouragement to divorce. But she becomes displeasing to him • “Displeasing” exposes the husband’s attitude; Scripture later shows hardness of heart to be the root problem (Matthew 19:8). • The verse reminds Israel that feelings alone do not justify ending a covenant (Proverbs 19:2; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Because he finds some indecency in her • “Indecency” refers to serious moral shame, not trivial irritation (Leviticus 18; Deuteronomy 23:14). • Jesus narrows the application to sexual immorality (Matthew 5:32). • God permits, not commands, divorce when sin has assaulted the marriage bond (Jeremiah 3:8 shows God Himself using divorce imagery only after persistent unfaithfulness). He may write her a certificate of divorce • Written record protected the wife from false accusations and ensured legal closure (Isaiah 50:1). • The document curbed impulsive abandonment and required deliberation (Matthew 19:7). • By regulating, the law upheld justice while exposing sin’s cost (Romans 7:12). Hand it to her • Personal delivery acknowledged her dignity and rights—she was not mere property (Exodus 21:10-11). • The certificate freed her to remarry honorably (Deuteronomy 24:2), guarding her future (Ruth 4:5, 10). And send her away from his house • Physical separation confirmed the seriousness of divorce; no casual “time-out” (Mark 10:4). • Once sent away, he could not later reclaim her after another marriage (Deuteronomy 24:3-4), preventing exploitation. • The clause warns every husband: think before tearing asunder what God joined (Matthew 19:6). summary Deuteronomy 24:1 does not endorse easy divorce; it restricts it. God, valuing marriage as lifelong covenant, allowed a narrowly defined concession when a grave moral fault shattered trust. The required certificate protected the wronged spouse and slowed rash decisions, pointing Israel—and us—to honor marriage, confront sin, and seek the faithful love that God Himself unfailingly shows. XXIV.Deuteronomy 24:1-4. DIVORCE. Some uncleanness.--Evidently mere caprice and dislike are not intended here. There must be some real ground of complaint. (See Margin.) Let him write her a bill of divorcement.--"Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives," is the Divine comment upon this. It is a distinct concession to the weakness of Israel--not the ideal standard of the Law, but the highest which it was found practicable to enforce. (See Matthew 19:2 seq.) There are many other particular enactments in the Law of Moses of which the same thing may be said. The ideal standard of morality has never varied. There is no higher ideal than that of the Pentateuch. But the Law which was actually enforced, in many particulars fell short of that ideal. (2) If the latter husband hate her.--Rashi says here that "the Scripture intimates that the end of such a marriage will be that he will hate her." He makes a similar remark on the marriage with the captive in Deuteronomy 21. The result of the marriage will be a hated wife, and a firstborn son of her, who will be a glutton and a drunkard. (4) Her former husband . . . may not take her again . . . and thou shalt not cause the land to sin.--The comment upon this, supplied by Jeremiah 3:1, is singularly beautiful. "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." Ver 1. - Because he hath found some uncleanness in her; literally, a thing or matter of nakedness, i.e. some shameful thing, something disgraceful; LXX., ἄσχημον πρᾶγμα: Vulgate, "aliquam foeditatem." In the Targum of Onkelos, the expression is explained by עֲבֵירִת פִתֵגָם; "aliquid foeditatis" (London Polyglot); "iniquitas rei alicujus"(Buxtorf); "the transgression of a [Divine] word" (Levi). On this the school of Hillel among the rabbins put the interpretation that a man might divorce his wife for any unbecomingness (Mishna, 'Gittin,' 9:10), or indeed for any cause, as the Pharisees in our Lord's day taught (Matthew 19:3). The school of Shammai, on the other hand, taught that only for something disgraceful, such as adultery, could a wife be divorced (Lightfoot, 'Her. Hebrews et Talm.,' on Matthew 5:31, Opp., tom. 2:290). Adultery, however, cannot be supposed here because that was punishable with death. A bill of divorcement; literally, a writing of excision; the man and woman having by marriage become one flesh, the divorce of the woman was a cutting of her off from the one whole. Lightfoot has given (lee. et.) different forms of letters of divorce in use among the Jews (see also Maimonides, 'De Divortiis,' Deuteronomy 4. § 12).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Ifכִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction a man אִ֛ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person marries וּבְעָלָ֑הּ (ū·ḇə·‘ā·lāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 1166: To be master, to marry a woman, אִשָּׁ֖ה (’iš·šāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female but אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not she becomes displeasing לֹ֧א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no to him because כִּי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction he finds מָ֤צָא (mā·ṣā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present some דָּבָ֔ר (dā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause indecency עֶרְוַ֣ת (‘er·waṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 6172: Nakedness in her, בָהּ֙ (ḇāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's Hebrew he may write וְכָ֨תַב (wə·ḵā·ṯaḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3789: To grave, to write her לָ֜הּ (lāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's Hebrew a certificate סֵ֤פֶר (sê·p̄er) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book of divorce, כְּרִיתֻת֙ (kə·rî·ṯuṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3748: A cutting, divorce hand it to וְנָתַ֣ן (wə·nā·ṯan) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set her, בְּיָדָ֔הּ (bə·yā·ḏāh) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 3027: A hand and send her away וְשִׁלְּחָ֖הּ (wə·šil·lə·ḥāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out from his house. מִבֵּיתֽוֹ׃ (mib·bê·ṯōw) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1004: A house Links Deuteronomy 24:1 NIVDeuteronomy 24:1 NLT Deuteronomy 24:1 ESV Deuteronomy 24:1 NASB Deuteronomy 24:1 KJV Deuteronomy 24:1 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 24:1 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 24:1 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 24:1 French Bible Deuteronomy 24:1 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 24:1 When a man takes a wife (Deut. 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