An Exegetical Brief: A Puzzling Verb Form

Abstract

John F. Brug explores the puzzling passive verb form μοιχευθῆναι in Matthew 5:32, which has significant implications for the biblical doctrine of divorce. He questions the traditional interpretation that a man who unjustly divorces his wife causes her to commit adultery if she remarries. Brug compares this with the rare Hebrew hutqattel form of טמא in Deuteronomy 24:4, which he interprets as a declaration of uncleanness forced upon the woman by her first husband’s divorce. He argues that the prohibition in Deuteronomy is directed at the first husband, not the woman. Brug suggests that the passive in Matthew may similarly reflect a declarative or stigmatizing force, rather than an actual act of adultery. He proposes translating the verse as “causes her to be regarded as an adulteress,” aligning it with the grammatical and moral nuance of Deuteronomy 24. —Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)