Now therefore let’s make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives and those who are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God. Let it be done according to the law.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 3. Covenant. The marrying with strange women seemed to have annulled the covenant of God.—Of them. The children were to follow the mothers, as in other unlawful connections. Their being suffered to remain behind, might have had dangerous consequences. Calmet.—The custom of divorcing was then in force, ( Tirinus.) and the Jews looked upon all as null, which was done contrary to the law; (V. Bede. E. Calmet. Grot.) though here the law was only prohibitory. Cajet. Tirinus.—As all was directed by the will of God, the dictates of humanity would not be disregarded ( Calmet.) on this trying occasion. Bible.—The children migth be placed in houses for education. Cajet. Tirinus.