Topical Bible: Divorce: Not Allowed to Those Who Falsely Accused Their Wives

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In the biblical context, marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God, and the dissolution of this union through divorce is addressed with gravity and specificity in the Scriptures. One particular situation where divorce is explicitly prohibited involves a husband who falsely accuses his wife of infidelity.

The primary scriptural reference for this scenario is found in Deuteronomy 22:13-19. According to the Mosaic Law, if a man marries a woman and subsequently accuses her of not being a virgin at the time of their marriage, a process is set in motion to verify the claim. The woman's parents are to provide evidence of her virginity, typically through the presentation of a cloth with bloodstains from the wedding night. If the evidence supports the woman's innocence, the elders of the city are to take action against the accuser.

Deuteronomy 22:18-19 states: "Then the elders of that city shall take the man and punish him. They shall also fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give them to the young woman’s father, because this man has given a virgin of Israel a bad name. She shall remain his wife; he must not divorce her as long as he lives."

This passage underscores several key principles:

1. Protection of the Innocent: The law provides a safeguard for the woman against false accusations, ensuring her honor and reputation are preserved. The accuser is held accountable for his actions, reflecting the seriousness with which God views the sanctity of marriage and the integrity of individuals within the community.

2. Consequences for False Accusation: The man who falsely accuses his wife is subject to both corporal punishment and a financial penalty. The fine serves as compensation to the woman's family for the damage to her reputation and as a deterrent against making baseless accusations.

3. Prohibition of Divorce: The man is explicitly forbidden from divorcing his wife for the duration of his life. This stipulation serves as a further consequence of his false accusation, binding him to the marriage covenant he sought to dissolve under false pretenses. It emphasizes the permanence of marriage and the responsibility of the husband to uphold his vows, even in the face of personal failure.

4. Community Involvement: The involvement of the city elders highlights the communal aspect of marriage and justice in ancient Israel. The community plays a role in upholding moral standards and ensuring that justice is served, reflecting the collective responsibility to maintain the integrity of God's laws.

This biblical directive illustrates the high value placed on truth, justice, and the sanctity of marriage. It serves as a reminder of the serious nature of marital commitments and the divine expectation for honesty and fidelity within the marriage covenant.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 22:18,19
And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... Divorce, why permitted the Jews, [1089]349; rebuked by Christ ... Fate, inconsistency
of those who speak of it, [1273]384. ... of The Son, [1276]328; hath not His Being ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... ordination of Caecilianus by Felix of Aptunga, accused as a ... That if when asked he
should not reply this ... 9. Concerning those who bring letters of the confessors ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... And that this should be allowed not only in the city, but ... marry, even if she had
been able to divorce him. ... That I am not speaking falsely of them in this matter ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm