Deuteronomy 24:5 Meaning and Explanation
“When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A newly married man is exempt from military service for one year to establish his marriage.
The Context of Deuteronomy 24:5
Military and civic exemptions for new husbands.
What Does Deuteronomy 24:5 Mean?
The law grants newly married men a full year at home, exempting them from war and other public obligations. This provision protects the foundational work of building intimacy, trust, and household stability in the marriage's earliest and most critical phase.
The word 'cheer up' (שִׂמַּח) suggests rejoicing together, not mere cohabitation—the law values the emotional and relational dimension of marriage as worthy of the nation's accommodation.
Deuteronomy 24:5 in the Original Language
שִׂמַּח (simach), 'cheer up'—to gladden or make happy; implies active, joyful companionship.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 24:5
What does Deuteronomy 24:5 mean?
A newly married man is exempt from military service for one year to establish his marriage.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 24:5?
Military and civic exemptions for new husbands.