This expression, found in Deuteronomy 24:1, 3; Isaiah 50:1; Jeremiah 3:8 is the translation of the Hebrew ספר כּריתת, ṣēpher kerīthutȟ. The two words, literally rendered, signify a document or book of cutting off, i.e. a certificate of divorce given by a husband to a wife, so as to afford her the opportunity or privilege of marrying another man. The Hebrew term is rendered by the Septuagint βιβλίον ἀποστασίον, biblíon apostasíoň. This is also found in the New Testament (Mark 10:4). Matthew 5:31 has “writing of divorcement” in English Versions of the Bible, but Matthew 19:7 the KJV has “writing,” while the RV and the American Standard Revised Version have “bill.” The certificate of divorce is called גּט, gēṭ, plural גּטּין, giṭṭin, in the Talmud. There is an entire chapter devoted to the subjects in the Mishna. It is not positively known when the custom of writing bills of divorcement commenced, but there are references to such documents in the earliest Hebrew legislation. The fact that Joseph had in mind the putting away of his espoused wife, Mary, without the formality of a bill or at least of a public procedure proves that a decree was not regarded as absolutely necessary (Matthew 1:19). The following was the usual form of a decree:
“On the ____ day of the week ____ in the month ____ in the year ____ from the beginning of the world, according to the common computation in the province of I ____ the son of ____ by whatever name I may be known, of the town of ____ with entire consent of mind, and without any constraint, have divorced, dismissed and expelled thee daughter of ____ by whatever name thou art called, of the town who hast been my wife hitherto; But now I have dismissed thee the daughter of ____ by whatever name thou art called, of the town of ____ so as to be free at thy own disposal, to marry whomsoever thou pleasest, without hindrance from anyone, from this day for ever. Thou art therefore free for anyone (who would marry thee). Let this be thy bill of divorce from me, a writing of separation and expulsion, according to the law of Moses and Israel.
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Author: International Std. Bible Encyclopedia
Keywords: Mendel Epstein, Marriage, Divorce, Divorced, divorcee, Remarriage, Remarried, Bill of divorcement, Get, ghet, Certificate of divorce, Bill of divorce, Letter of divorce, Grounds for divorce, Reasons to divorce, Infidelity, Marital unfaithfulness, Marital infidelity, marry again, marrying again, Divorce remarry, divorce remarriage, Divorcement, Marriage contract, Remarry, Remarrying, Second marriage, agunah, chained woman, agunot, Putting away one's wife, sending away, sending away a wife
Bible reference(s): Deuteronomy 24:1-4, Isaiah 50:1, Jeremiah 3:8, Malachi 2:16, Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:3-9, Mark 10:2-4, Mark 10:11-12, Luke 16:18, 1 Corinthians 7:27-28
Source: James Orr (editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 5 volume set.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.