Abuse in the Old Covenant

                                                         Abuse in the Old Covenant

Was a woman under the mercy of her husband if she wanted a divorce in the Old Testament?

Not necessarily. The OC wife could file a divorce claim to the Jewish Court for review. One example is a lack of provision in Exo 21:10-11. If deemed neglectful or abusive, or if the husband drags out the legal proceedings, they can pressure him by targeting his social reputation or use other methods to make him approve the divorce.

Although scripture teaches marital principles, it wasn't intended to be a manifesto on marriage.


For example the following OC scenarios are probable and considered legitimate reasons for divorce, but not clearly listed in scripture:

Husband murders a slave/child. Tells wife to keep it a secret. Exo 21:20-21.

Giving money to Mother

Withholding sexual intimacy

Gambling. Taking multiple high rate loans to financially hurt the family. Ecc 5:5.

Harboring dangerous Gentile fugitives.

Husband constantly forcing wife to have sex during menstrual cycle. Lev 15:19-33.

Not giving her the proper Lev 12 purification sacrifice or giving a sacrifice of bad quality.

Pressuring her/kids into Baal worship/sorcery.

Pressuring her to eat unclean animals.

Child molestation

Physical abuse. Laying hands on a wife was treating them like a slave.Exo 21:26-27, Deut 21:14. If a battered slave can be set free, how much more a Jewish woman?

Verbal abuse. Destroying her reputation in a small, honor culture community. Deut 22:13-19.

Pressuring the wife to stay married when the husband contracted leprosy. Not an easy situation, but it's a possibility. Lev 13.

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