Matthew 19:7

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Matthew 19:7 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away? ”

King James Version KJV

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

American Standard Version ASV

They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?

Bible in Basic English BBE

They say to him, Why then did Moses give orders that a husband might give her a statement in writing and be free from her?

Free Bible Version FBV

“Then why did Moses give the command that a man could divorce his wife by giving her a written certificate of divorce, and sending her away?” they asked.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

They said to him, Why did then Moses commaund to giue a bill of diuorcement, and to put her away?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

They say to him, 'Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce, and to put her away?'

World English Bible WEB

They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce and divorce her?”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

They say to him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

They say to him: Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorce, and to put away?

Translation for Translators T4T

The Pharisees then said to him, “If that is true, why did Moses command that a man who wanted to divorce his wife should give her a paper stating his reason for divorcing her, and then send her away?”

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 19:7

BAB

Word Study

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Matthew 19:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK λεγουσιν αυτω τι ουν μωσης ενετειλατο δουναι βιβλιον αποστασιου και απολυσαι αυτην

λεγουσιν legō G3004 to say Verb-PAI-3P

αυτω autos G846 it/s/he Pron-DSM

τι tis G5101 which? Interrog-ASN

ουν oun G3767 therefore/then Conj

μωσης Mōusēs, Mōsēs G3475 Moses Noun-NSM

ενετειλατο entellō G1781 to order Verb-ADI-3S

δουναι didōmi G1325 to give Verb-2AAN

βιβλιον biblion G975 scroll Noun-ASN

αποστασιου apostasion G647 divorce Noun-GSN

και kai G2532 and Conj

απολυσαι apoluō G630 to release: release Verb-AAN

αυτην autos G846 it/s/he Pron-ASF

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 19:7

λεγουσιν legō G3004 "to say" Verb-PAI-3P

This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.

Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.

αυτω autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-DSM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

τι tis G5101 "which?" Interrog-ASN

This interrogative pronoun is used to ask questions like who, which, or what, as seen in Matthew 3:7 and Mark 11:28. It seeks information about a person or thing. This term is essential in direct and indirect questions.

Definition: τίς, neut., τί, genitive, τίνος, interrog. pron., [in LXX for מָה ,מִי ;] in masc. and fem., who, which, what?; in neut., which, what?, used both in direct and in indirect questions. __I. I. As subst., __1. 1. masc., fem.: τίς; who, what?, Mat.3:7 26:68; Mrk.11:28, Luk.9:9, al. mult.; with genitive partit., Act.7:52, Heb.1:5, al; before ἐκ (= genitive partit.), Mat.6:27, Luk.14:28, Jhn.8:46; = ποῖος, Mrk.4:41 6:2, Luk.19:3, Act.17:19, al.; = πότερος (M, Pr., 77), Mat.21:31 27:17, Luk.22:27, al.; = ὅς or ὅστις (rare in cl.; cf. Bl., §50, 5; M, Pr., 93), Act.13:25. __2. Neut.: τί; what?, Mat.5:47 11:7, Mrk.10:3, al.; χάριν τίνος, 1Jn.3:12; διὰ τί, Mat.9:11, al.; εἰς τί, Mat.14:31, al.; elliptically, ἵνα τί (sc. γένηται), why, Mat.9:5, al.; τί οὖν, Rom.3:9 6:1, 15 1Co.14:15, al.; τί γάρ, Rom.3:3, Phi 1:18; τί ἐμοὶ (ὑμῖν) καὶ σοί, see: ἔγω. __II. As adj.: who? what? which?, Mat.5:46, Luk.14:31, Jhn.2:18, al. __III. As adv.: = διὰ τι (τί ὅτι), why, Mat.6:28, Mrk.4:40, Luk.6:46, Jhn.18:23, al.; in rhet. questions, = a negation, Mat.27:4, Jhn.21:22, 23 1Co.5:12 7:16, al. in exclamations (like Heb. מָה), how (2Ki.6:20, Psa.3:2, al.), Luk.12:49. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 514 NT verses. KJV: every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why See also: 1 Corinthians 2:11; Colossians 1:27; 1 Peter 1:11.

ουν oun G3767 "therefore/then" Conj

This word means therefore or then, showing a consequence. It appears in Matthew 3:10 and Romans 5:9 to connect ideas and events.

Definition: οὖν, particle expressing consequence or simple sequence (never standing first in a sentence), wherefore, therefore, then: Mat.3:10, Luk.3:9, Jhn.8:38, Act.1:21, Rom.5:9, al.; in exhortations, Mat.3:8, Luk.11:35, Act.3:19, Rom.6:12, al.; in questions, Mat.13:28, Mrk.15:12, Jhn.8:[5], Rom.6:1, al.; continuing a narrative or resuming it after a digression, Mat.1:17, Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:22 2:18 (and very frequently in this Gospel), Act.26:22, al.; ἄρα οὖν (see: ἄρα); ἐπεὶ οὖν, Heb.2:14; οὖν with ptcp. (= ἐπεὶ οὖν), Act.2:30, Rom.5:1, al.; ἐὰν οὖν (where οὖν rather in sense belongs to the apodosis), Mat.5:23, Luk.4:7, Jhn.6:62, Rom.2:26, al.; ὡς οὖν, Jhn.4:1, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 515 NT verses. KJV: and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore See also: 1 Corinthians 3:5; Acts 23:15; 1 Peter 2:1.

μωσης Mōusēs, Mōsēs G3475 "Moses" Noun-NSM

Moses was the Hebrew lawgiver, who received the Ten Commandments from God. He is mentioned in Matthew 8:4 and 17:3-4. Moses is a key figure in the Bible.

Definition: Μωυσῆς (Μωϋσῆς, T; Μωσῆς, Rec.), -έως, dative - (as LXX: Exo.5:20, al.), and -εῖ, accusative -ῆν (ac LXX) and -έα (Luk.16:29 only) (Heb. מֹשֶׁה), Moses: Mat.8:4 17:3-4, al.; νόμος Μωυσέως, Luk.2:22 24:44, Jhn.7:23, Act.13:39 15:5 28:23, 1Co.9:9, Heb.10:28; by meton., of the books of Moses, Luk.16:29 24:27, Act.15:21, 2Co.3:15 (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 79 NT verses. KJV: Moses See also: 1 Corinthians 9:9; John 5:45; Hebrews 3:2.

ενετειλατο entellō G1781 "to order" Verb-ADI-3S

This verb means to order or command someone to do something, as seen in Matthew 19:7 and Acts 1:2. It involves giving instructions or directions. The Bible often uses this term to describe God's commands and instructions to his people.

Definition: ἐν-τέλλω [in LXX, as in NT (and mostly in Hdt.), always mid., chiefly for צָוָה pi. ;] -ομαι, to command, enjoin, instruct: before περί Heb.11:22; with inf., Mat.19:7; with dative of person(s), Act.1:2; οὕτως, Act.13:47; καθώς, Jhn.14:31 (ἐντολὴν ἔδωκεν, WH); before λέγων, Mat.17:9; with inf., Jhn.8:5; ἵνα, Mrk.13:34; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.28:20, Mrk.10:3, Jhn.15:14, 17; before περί, with genitive of person(s), Mat.4:6 and Luk.4:10 (LXX); διαθήκην ἐ. πρός, with accusative of person(s), Heb.9:20 (LXX) (cf. Sir.45:3).† SYN.: κελεύω, to command, of verbal orders in general; παραγγέλλω, to charge, esp. of the transmitted orders of a military commander; ἐντέλλω points rather to the contents of the command (see Thayer, see word κελεύω) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 17 NT verses. KJV: (give) charge, (give) command(-ments), injoin See also: Acts 1:2; Luke 4:10; Hebrews 9:20.

δουναι didōmi G1325 "to give" Verb-2AAN

To give, as seen in Matthew 4:9 and John 1:12, means to bestow or grant something to someone, often with a sense of generosity or sacrifice, like God giving his only son in John 3:16

Definition: δίδωμι, [in LXX chiefly for נָתַן (53 words in all) ;] to give—in various senses, accusative to context—bestow, grant, supply, deliver, commit, yield: absol., Act.20:35; with accusative of thing(s) and dative of person(s), Mat.4:9 5:31, Jhn.1:12, al. mult.; with dative of person(s), before ἐκ, Mat.25:8; id. with genitive part.. Rev.2:17; with accusative of person(s), Jhn.3:16, Rev.20:13, al.; δεξιάς, Gal.2:9; φίλημα, Luk.7:45; γνῶσιν, Luk.1:77; κρίσιν, Jhn.5:22; of seed yielding fruit, Mrk.4:7, 8; ἐργασίαν (Deiss., LAE, 117f.), Luk.12:58; with inf. fin., Mat.27:34, Mrk.5:43, Luk.8:55, Jhn.6:52, al.; with dative of person(s) and inf., Luk.1:74, al.; with accusative and inf., Act.2:27, Rev.3:9; with dupl. accusative, Mat.20:28, Mrk.10:45, Eph.1:22 4:11, 2Th.3:9, 1Ti.2:6, al.; ἑαυτὸν δ. εἰς (Polyb., al.), Act.19:31; with dative of person(s), before κατά (MM, Exp., xi), Rev.2:28 (LXX); δ. ἵνα, Rev.3:9; δέδωκα ἐνώπιόν σου θύραν ἀνεῳγμένην, Rev.3:8. SYN.: δωρέομαι. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 380 NT verses. KJV: adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield See also: 1 Corinthians 1:4; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:21.

βιβλιον biblion G975 "scroll" Noun-ASN

A scroll or written document, like a letter or book, as in Matthew 19:7 and Luke 4:17, where Jesus reads from a scroll.

Definition: βιβλίον, -ου, τό (diminutive of βίβλος, which see), [in LXX also in the alternat. form βυβ-, chiefly for סֶפֶר and the most frequently of the cognate forms ;] __1. a paper, letter, written document: β. ἀποστασίου, bill of divorce, Mat.19:7, Mrk.10:4. __2. a book, a roll: Luk.4:17, 20 Jhn.20:30 21:25, Gal.3:10, 2Ti.4:13, Heb.9:19 10:7, Rev.1:11 5:1-9 6:14 10:8 20:12 22:7-19; β. τ. ζωῆς, Rev.13:8 17:8 20:12 21:27.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 31 NT verses. KJV: bill, book, scroll, writing See also: 2 Timothy 4:13; Revelation 5:5; Hebrews 9:19.

αποστασιου apostasion G647 "divorce" Noun-GSN

Divorce is described as a separation or something that causes a split, as seen in Matthew 19:7 and Mark 10:4. This term is used to describe the act of ending a marriage or a formal separation.

Definition: ἀποστάσιον, -ου, τό (ἀφίστημι), [in LXX; Deu.24:1, 3, Jer.3:8, Isa.50:1 (כְּרִיתוּת) * ;] __1. in cl., only in phrase ἀποστασίου δίκη, an action against a freedman for forsaking his προστάτης (Dem.). __2. In LXX, βιβλίον ἀποστασίου, a bill of divorce: Mat.19:7, Mrk.10:4; in same sense ἀ. alone (MM, see word), Mat.5:31 (for other late exx., see MM, l.with; Kennedy, Sources, 121).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: (writing of) divorcement See also: Mark 10:4; Matthew 5:31; Matthew 19:7.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

απολυσαι apoluō G630 "to release: release" Verb-AAN

This word means to release or set free, like when Jesus healed a woman in Luke 13:12. It can also mean to forgive or let go, as in Luke 6:37. In some cases, it refers to divorce or separation, as in Matthew 5:31-32.

Definition: ἀπο-λύω [in LXX for שׁוּב, etc., frequently in 1-4 Mac ;] __1. to set free, release: Luk.13:12, Jhn.19:10, al.; a debtor, Mat.18:27; metaphorically, of forgiveness, Luk.6:37. __2. to let go, dismiss (Field, Notes, 9 f.): Mat.15:23, Luk.2:29 9:12, Act.19:41, al.; of divorce, τ. γυναῖκα: Mat.1:19 5:31-32 19:3, 8 19:10 Mrk.10:2, 4 10:11, Luk.16:18; with ref. to Gk. and Rom. (net Jewish) custom, τ. ἄνδρα: Mrk.10:12. Mid., to depart: Act.28:25 (MM, see word) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 63 NT verses. KJV: (let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty See also: Acts 3:13; Luke 23:22; Hebrews 13:23.

αυτην autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-ASF

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Study Notes — Matthew 19:7

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Context
Cross References
Matthew 19:7 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 19:7
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 19:7
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 19:7
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 19:7
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 19:7
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 19:7
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 19:7
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 19:7
Sermons on Matthew 19:7

Context — Teachings about Divorce

5and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’ ? 6So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

7“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away? ”

8Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery. ”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Deuteronomy 24:1–4	If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, then the husband who divorced her first may not remarry her after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination to the LORD. You must not bring sin upon the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
2	Matthew 5:31	It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’
3	Mark 10:4	They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.”
4	Malachi 2:16	“For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.
5	Matthew 1:19	Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.
6	Jeremiah 3:8	She saw that because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. Yet that unfaithful sister Judah had no fear and prostituted herself as well.
7	Isaiah 50:1	This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.

Matthew 19:7 Summary

In this verse, the Pharisees are trying to understand why Moses allowed divorce, even though God's original plan was for one man and one woman to be together forever, as seen in Genesis 2:24. Jesus' response in the next verse helps us understand that divorce was never part of God's plan, but it became necessary because of the hardness of people's hearts. This reminds us that marriage is a beautiful and sacred thing, and we should work to build strong, loving relationships, as seen in Ephesians 5:25-33. By looking at this verse and others, like Matthew 19:4-6, we can gain a deeper understanding of God's heart for marriage and relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Moses allow divorce in the first place?

Moses permitted divorce due to the hardness of people's hearts, as Jesus explains in Matthew 19:8, but this was not God's original intention for marriage, as seen in Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:4-6.

Is divorce ever acceptable according to the Bible?

According to Jesus in Matthew 19:9, divorce is only acceptable in cases of sexual immorality, and even then, it is not to be taken lightly, as marriage is a sacred covenant between two people and God, as seen in Ephesians 5:31.

What does this verse reveal about the Pharisees' understanding of marriage?

This verse shows that the Pharisees were trying to understand Jesus' teachings on marriage and divorce, but they were still focused on the legal aspects, as seen in Deuteronomy 24:1-4, rather than the spiritual and relational aspects, as emphasized by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6.

How does this verse relate to God's original design for marriage?

This verse highlights the tension between God's original design for marriage, as seen in Genesis 2:24, and the reality of sin and hardness of heart that leads to divorce, emphasizing the need for redemption and restoration in our relationships, as seen in Ephesians 5:25-33.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can work to strengthen my own marriage and build a stronger bond with my spouse, in light of God's design for marriage?
How can I balance the reality of sin and brokenness in my relationships with the hope of redemption and restoration that God offers?
What are some practical ways that I can show love and compassion to those who are experiencing divorce or marital struggles?
How can I use this verse as an opportunity to reflect on my own heart and consider areas where I may be contributing to hardness or bitterness in my relationships?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 19:7

They say unto him,.... That is the Pharisees, who object the law of Moses to him, hoping hereby to ensnare him, and expose him to the resentment of the people, should he reject that, as they supposed

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 19:7

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 19:7

See Poole on "".

Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 19:7

7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? Ver. 7. Why did Moses then command, &c.] Sophister-like they oppose Moses to God, scripture to scripture, as if God were against himself. This is still the guise of graceless heretics; as also to mingle and jumble together truths with falsehoods, that falsehoods may pass the more current. See it in these Pharisees. It was true that Moses commanded (for the honour of the woman, and disgrace of the man) that he should give her an abscessionale, a bill of divorcement. But it was not true that Moses commanded to put her away. He permitted such a thing indeed as a civil magistrate by divine dispensation (better an inconvenience than a mischief), but that makes little for its lawfulness. A permission or command to depart. ŒD

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 19:7

(7) They say unto him.—The question comes apparently from the advocates of the laxer school. They fell back from what would seem to them a vague abstract principle upon the letter of the Law. Was Moses, the great lawgiver, sanctioning what God had forbidden? Would the Prophet of Nazareth commit Himself to anything so bold as that?

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 19:7

Verse 7. Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement?] It is not an unusual case for the impure and unholy to seek for a justification of their conduct from the law of God itself, and to wrest Scripture to their own destruction. I knew a gentleman, so called, who professed deep reverence for the sacred writings, and, strange as it may appear, was outwardly irreproachable in every respect but one; that was, he kept more women than his wife. This man frequently read the Bible, and was particularly conversant with those places that spoke of or seemed to legalize the polygamy of the patriarchs! A writing of divorcement] See the form of it in Clarke's note on "Matthew 5:31".

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 19:7

7. a writing of divorcement] See ch. Matthew 5:31-32.

Barnes' Notes on Matthew 19:7

Why did Moses ... - To this they objected that Moses had allowed such divorces Deuteronomy 24:1; and if he had allowed them, they inferred that they could not be unlawful. See the notes at Matthew 5:31.

Sermons on Matthew 19:7

	Sermon	Description
	(Through the Bible) Jeremiah 3-5 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for people to turn away from worldly distractions and dedicate themselves fully to God and spiritual matters. He quotes from the bo
	Jesus Teaches About Divorce and Remarriage Matthew 19:1-9 by David Servant	David Servant delves into the topic of divorce and remarriage, exploring the differing views among religious teachers during Jesus' time and Jesus' teachings on the matter. He emph
	Day 75, Mark 10 by David Servant	David Servant addresses the contentious topic of divorce and remarriage, urging listeners to carefully consider all that Scripture teaches on the subject and to avoid interpretatio
	Sermon on the Mount: Jesus Speaks About Divorce by J. Glyn Owen	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the painful subject of divorce and the dissolution of marriage. He emphasizes the importance of honoring marriage as a divine institution and
	Marriage and Divorce - Part 2 by Don Courville	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the deception and decline of our society since 1963, when God was rejected and the Word of God was neglected. The speaker highlights four majo
	Marriage by Don McClure	In this sermon, the preacher begins by discussing the transformation that occurs in a person's life through the Beatitudes. He then moves on to describe the qualities of someone wh
	The Law of God and Your Word by Dick Woodward	In this lesson from the Mini Bible College, the teacher focuses on the importance of our words and how we should communicate our commitment to God and others. The teacher reference