A study in Israelite case law (Deuteronomy 24:1-4)

Divorce and remarriage is regarded by many Evangelical Christians as the ultimate solution to an intolerable marriage. Most of those who seek a biblical basis for their actions interpret Deut. 24:1-4 as providing grounds for divorce and the right of remarriage for adultery or sexual sin. Is there adequate textual evidence for this interpretion? Does Moses affirm the right of divorce and remarriage without consequence? Should the form of literature serve as a factor in the interpretation of this important passage? Not long after the Fall, God\u27s standard of one man with one woman was violated (Gen. 4:19). By the time of Moses, Israelite men were divorcing their wives as was the custom among heathen nations. Observing something that displeased him, a husband could simply declare before witnesses, I divorce my wife, or declare, You are no longer my wife.” The rejected wife would have no recourse but to leave home. She was entitled to none of her husband\u27s property. For this reason, the wedding present or dowery (1 Kings 9:16) provided an important resource should a woman be divorced by her husband. Increased laxity regarding divorce and remarriage among the Hebrews necessitated legislation to deal with this matter. Deut. 24:1-4, the crucial text under consideration, is the only Pentateuchal law directly relating to this issue. It serves as the background for Jesus discussion on divorce with the Pharisees (cf. Matt. 19:1-12, Mk. 10:1-10)