Deuteronomy 24:4
Arabic 2018 (الترجمة الكاثوليكيّة (اليسوعيّة))
فلا يَحِلُّ لِزَوجِها الأَوَّلِ الَّذي طَلَّقَها أَن يَعودَ ويأخُذَها لِتَكونَ لَه ٱمرَأَةً، بَعدَما تَدَنَّسَت: فإِنَّ ذٰلك قَبيحةٌ لَدى الرَّبّ. فلا تَجلُبْ خَطيئَةً على الأَرضِ الَّتي يُعْطيكَ الرَّبُّ إِلٰهُكَ إِيَّاها ميراثًا.
What Does This Mean?
This verse says that if a man divorces his wife and she marries someone else, the original husband cannot take her back as his wife again. This is considered wrong and displeasing to God. Moses is speaking here to the Israelites, reminding them to follow God's laws to keep their land holy.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a favorite toy that you give away, and then later your friend gets that toy. This verse tells us that even if you really miss your toy, you can't take it back because your friend now has it. It's like that with marriage: once a husband and wife separate, he can't take her back if she marries someone else.
Historical Background
Moses wrote this as part of the Deuteronomy book around 1200-1000 BCE. He was addressing the Israelites who were about to enter the Promised Land. The cultural context was one of strict social and religious norms, emphasizing purity and obedience to God's commandments.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this verse reminds us of the importance of respecting commitments and the sanctity of marriage. For instance, if a couple divorces and one party tries to reconcile while the other is married to someone else, it would be considered inappropriate and could cause significant relational and moral complications.
Topics
marriagedivorcelawsholinessobediencefaithfulness
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it considered an abomination to remarry a former spouse?
It is considered an abomination because it disrupts the sanctity of marriage and could lead to complex moral and social issues, indicating that once a marriage is dissolved, it should remain so.
How does this verse apply to situations today?
Today, this verse encourages people to respect the permanence of marriage and understand the gravity of divorce and remarriage, emphasizing the importance of fidelity and respect for one’s commitments.
Are there exceptions to this rule?
The Bible does not provide explicit exceptions to this rule, but it is important to understand the spirit of the law, which is to protect the sanctity of marriage and prevent moral and social disorder.
How can this verse help in understanding God's perspective on marriage?
This verse shows that God values the integrity and sanctity of marriage, indicating that marriage is a serious commitment and that its dissolution and subsequent remarriage should not be taken lightly.