Bible Dictionary
DIVORCE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Under the Mosaic law, a husband could divorce his wife through a formal certificate, while the legislation sought to restrain arbitrary dismissal and protect the woman. Jesus later addressed divorce in light of God’s original purpose for marriage.
Biblical Usage
The Old Testament commonly describes divorce as the sending away of a wife and calls the divorced woman one who has been thrust out. Deuteronomy 24 regulates the procedure and its consequences. The prophets also use marriage and divorce imagery for Yahweh’s relation to Israel, and the New Testament applies marriage imagery to Christ and the church.