Bible Commentaries

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.).

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.

XXIV. 6f., 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*.

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.