Divorce In The Old Testament
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Divorce In The Old Testament in the Bible?
In ancient Israel, divorce functioned as a unilateral legal act initiated by the husband, who issued a bill of divorcement to sever the marital bond and restore the wife's status to that of a widow or single woman.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this legal framework clarifies the specific rights and protections afforded to women in ancient Israelite law, such as the requirement for a written document, which distinguishes biblical practice from arbitrary dismissal and informs the interpretation of prophetic metaphors regarding God's relationship with Israel.
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.