Definition: And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 21:14. It’s a pretty serious and important passage about how to treat someone you’ve chosen to be with – a wife or partner. Here's a simplified explanation: The Core Idea: This verse is saying that you should respect and love your partner, even if they leave you. It’s not about being angry or resentful; it’s about recognizing their worth and treating them with kindness. Let’s break it down word by word: “And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her…” – This means that you shouldn't be enjoying the relationship. You shouldn’t be feeling good or happy about being with this person. It’s about a lack of passion and pleasure. “…then thou shalt let her go whither she will.” – This is the action you need to take. You must allow them to leave, without any expectation of returning. It's a letting-go. “But thou shalt not sell her at all for money…” – This is crucial! Don’t trade or give up on this person for something else (money, possessions, etc.). It’s about not making a transaction that would diminish their value. “…nor make merchandise of her…” - This means don't turn them into something you can use or profit from. Don't treat them as a commodity to be bought and sold. “Because thou hast humbled her.” – This is the reason for not selling or making merchandise of her. It’s saying that you have shown kindness and respect by allowing her to go, which demonstrates humility. In simpler terms: Treat your partner with love and respect, don't exploit them or make them something they aren't worth, and allow them to leave freely. Why is this important? This verse is a reminder of the importance of treating others with dignity and kindness – it’s a foundational principle in the Bible about relationships. It’s about recognizing their inherent value as a person. --- Disclaimer: I'm an AI Chatbot and not a biblical scholar. This explanation is based on common interpretations of the verse within its historical context. Do you have any specific questions about this verse that you'd like me to answer? For example, are you curious about: Its connection to other stories in the Bible? The concept of "humility" as it relates to this verse?