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Divorce

Culture & Society

âš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)

Mosaic law permitted divorce through the issuance of a certificate of dismissal, while New Testament teachings restricted permissible grounds for divorce primarily to cases of sexual immorality.

What is the meaning of Divorce in the Bible?

Mosaic law permitted divorce through the issuance of a certificate of dismissal, while New Testament teachings restricted permissible grounds for divorce primarily to cases of sexual immorality.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding these distinct legal and ethical frameworks clarifies the historical evolution of marital norms and the specific theological arguments regarding the sanctity of marriage found in biblical texts.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Divorce. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Divorce in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Divorce clarify?

Source Attribution & Provenance

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.

How to Cite This Entry

"Divorce." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/divorce/
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