Deuteronomy 24:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A man cannot remarry his first wife after she has been married to another.
The Context of Deuteronomy 24:4
A permanent bar on returning to a former spouse.
What Does Deuteronomy 24:4 Mean?
Once a woman remarries, even if that second marriage ends, her first husband may not take her back. This rule, called 'the Deuteronomic restriction,' prevents the pattern of putting away and reclaiming, treating the first divorce as final and irreversible.
The law associates this prohibition with both divine covenant law ('abomination before the LORD') and the holiness of the land itself, suggesting that such recirculation would corrupt the community's relationship with God's gift.
Deuteronomy 24:4 in the Original Language
טָמֵאָה (tame'ah), 'defiled'—here meaning changed in status through intervening union, not morally corrupted.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 24:4
What does Deuteronomy 24:4 mean?
A man cannot remarry his first wife after she has been married to another.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 24:4?
A permanent bar on returning to a former spouse.