Matthew Chapter 19 verse 7 Holy Bible

ASV Matthew 19:7

They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put `her' away?
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BBE Matthew 19:7

They say to him, Why then did Moses give orders that a husband might give her a statement in writing and be free from her?
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DARBY Matthew 19:7

They say to him, Why then did Moses command to give a letter of divorce and to send [her] away?
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KJV Matthew 19:7

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
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WBT Matthew 19:7


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WEB Matthew 19:7

They asked him, "Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce, and divorce her?"
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YLT Matthew 19:7

They say to him, `Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce, and to put her away?'
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Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 7. - Why did Moses then command? If, as you assert, God ordained that marriage should be indissoluble, how comes it that Moses commanded (ἐνετείλατο) us to practise divorce, and prescribed rules as to its conduct? They are referring to Deuteronomy 24:1, 2. Jesus had escaped the trap which was laid for him, and foiled them by the very words of Scripture and the plain intention of the first institution. But they see their way to opposing the authority of the great lawgiver to the dictum and interpretation of this new Teacher. It cannot be supposed, they argue, that Moses would enjoin a practice condemned by the Word of God; therefore, if you abide by your exposition, you contradict Moses. A writing of divorcement. The man who desired to divorce his wife could not effect this separation by mere word of mouth or by violent ejectment; he must have a written document formally prepared and witnessed, necessitating certain delay and publicity. In regulating the method of divorce and giving rules which prevented it from being undertaken rashly and lightly, Moses could not justly be said to have commanded it. There were also two cases in which he absolutely forbade divorce (see Deuteronomy 22:13-19; Deuteronomy 22:28, 29).

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(7) They say unto him.--The question comes apparently from the advocates of the laxer school. They fell back from what would seem to them a vague abstract principle upon the letter of the Law. Was Moses, the great lawgiver, sanctioning what God had forbidden? Would the Prophet of Nazareth commit Himself to anything so bold as that?