Does God really hate divorce? A comparative analysis of ancient texts of Mal 2:14–16

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Authors

Lumanze, Obedben Mmesomachukwu

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Old Testament Society of South Africa

Abstract

Historically, Malachi 2:16 has served as a veto against divorce, especially among African evangelicals. While marriage is ideally a lifelong commitment, this interpretation often overlooks the context of the passage. Many are unaware of its grammatical ambiguities and varying ancient translations. This study examines Malachi 2:14–16 to understand the prophet's views on marriage as a covenant. The findings reveal that the Hebrew word “šallaḥ”, commonly translated as "divorce," actually refers to the improper "putting away" of legally married wives without adhering to established guidelines. The study concludes that Malachi's argument refers back to the creation narrative, offering a framework for ethical thinking. While marriage is sacred and should be upheld, those facing divorce should not be seen as irredeemable sinners.

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Keywords

Malachi 2:14–16, Divorce, Marriage, Infidelity, SDG-05: Gender equality, SDG-10: Reduced inequalities

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG-05:Gender equality
SDG-10:Reduces inequalities

Citation

Lumanze, O.M. 2024, 'Does God really hate divorce? A comparative analysis of ancient texts of Mal 2:14–16', Old Testament Essays, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 1–27, doi: 10.17159/2312-3621/2024/v37n2a2.