Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 24

Introduction

Deuteronomy 12-26, 28. A code of laws (Deuteronomy 1-26) followed by promises to the obedient and threats of punishment for the rest (Deuteronomy 28): see Introd., p. 231. The great Deuteronomic law of one sanctuary is taught or implied in Deuteronomy 12:1 to Deuteronomy 19:13 and hardly in any other part of Dt. This section may, therefore, represent essentially the original Deuteronomic code (see Introd.).

Verses 1-5

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 . The right of divorce on man’ s part (not woman’ s) is taken for granted here and elsewhere in the OT (see Deuteronomy 22:19; Deuteronomy 22:29, Leviticus 21:7; Leviticus 21:14; Leviticus 22:13 f., Numbers 30:9; cf. Matthew 19:9). Later Judaism ( Kethuboth, vii. 10) extended to woman the right of divorce under certain specified conditions.

Deuteronomy 24:1 . some unseemly thing: the Heb. as in Deuteronomy 23:14 ( cf. mg.), “ unclean thing,” LXX “ an ugly” (lit. “ unshapely” ) “ thing.” Unchastity is hardly meant, that is dealt with in Deuteronomy 22:13-30, but probably physical incapacity of some kind.

Deuteronomy 24:5. Cf. Deuteronomy 20:7.

Verses 6-16

XXIV. 6 f ., 10– 13, which stood perhaps originally together, belong to the many humanitarian laws of D ( Deuteronomy 15:12-18 *). Corn is still ground in the home in Palestine; this is done by the rotation of an upper on a lower round stone ( cf. the British quern used in Scotland in 1880 according to E. B. Tylor ( Academy, vol. xviii. (1880) p. 204).

Deuteronomy 24:7. Exodus 21:16 (JE). Here the law is narrower. In CH (§ 14) it is only the nobleman who may not be stolen ( Deuteronomy 15:12-18 *).

Deuteronomy 24:8 f. See Leviticus 13:14 f.* (P). JE is silent on the matter. Probably some lost code or torah is referred to in Deuteronomy 24:8.

Deuteronomy 24:10-13 . Exodus 22:26 f.* Modern Arabs often sleep in their day clothes ( Aba, etc.) as the present writer has himself in Palestine had to do on occasions, even when spending the night in an Arab sheikh’ s house.

Deuteronomy 24:12 . Cf. Deuteronomy 24:6.

Deuteronomy 24:14 f. Leviticus 19:13 (H). In CH (§ 268– 277) there is a scale of charges for the hire of animals (ox for threshing, etc.) or of things (ships, etc.).

Deuteronomy 24:16 . See Deuteronomy 21:1-9 *.

Verses 17-22

Deuteronomy 24:17-22 . Laws in the interest of the sojourner (see Deuteronomy 1:16 *), the orphan (EV, “ fatherless” because the motherless orphan would be seen to by the father), and the widow ( Deuteronomy 10:18 *), classes for which D shows great concern ( Deuteronomy 15:12-18 *), the Levite ( Deuteronomy 18:1-8 *) being often added ( Deuteronomy 26:12, etc.).

Deuteronomy 24:17 f. Exodus 22:21 f.* (JE).

Deuteronomy 24:19-22 . Leviticus 19:9 *, Leviticus 23:22, cf. Ruth 2. The language here is that of D.