ἀποστάσιον

From the study of Matthew 5:31

Range of meaning

In Greek legal papyri from Egypt, a deed of relinquishment: a document by which someone gave up their rights to something, such as property they had sold. In Jewish Greek it became the word for a bill of divorce. It translates the Hebrew sefer kerituth, 'document of cutting off' (Deuteronomy 24:1, 3; Isaiah 50:1; Jeremiah 3:8).

Against the English

'Certificate of divorce' (BSB, NIV, ESV, NASB) and 'writing of divorcement' (KJV) give the right function. 'Certificate' can suggest a document issued by a court or the state. In fact the husband had it written and handed it over himself. The Greek word's own picture is renunciation, the husband 'standing away' from his claim.

How it drifted

Modern divorce is a court process with a judge's decree. Readers naturally picture that. In first-century Judaism divorce was a private act by the husband. The written document was what made it valid, and its key line released the woman.

Used elsewhere in the period

Deuteronomy 24:1 in the Septuagint: biblion apostasiou. Matthew 19:7 and Mark 10:4 use the full phrase. Moulton–Milligan note the papyrus use for deeds of cession. An Aramaic bill of divorce found at Wadi Murabbaʿat (Mur 19, late 1st or early 2nd century AD) contains the release formula: the woman is free to go and become the wife of any Jewish man she wishes. The Mishnah (m. Gittin 9:3) gives the essential words as 'Behold, you are permitted to any man.' Josephus (Antiquities 4.253) explains the document's purpose: it makes her free to marry another husband.

From the study of Matthew 19:7

Range of meaning

From aphistēmi, 'to stand away, withdraw, give up'. In Greek legal papyri a 'document of apostasion' was a deed of cession, a formal giving up of rights to property. In Jewish Greek it became the standard term for a divorce deed. It translates Hebrew sefer kerîtut, literally 'scroll of cutting off'.

Against the English

'Divorce' or 'divorcement' gives the function correctly. What drops out is the picture: the husband formally gives up his claim, and the woman's tie to his household is cut.

How it drifted

English readers may link it with 'apostasy'. The two words share a root, but apostasion here is a legal term with no idea of religious falling away.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Deut 24:1, 3; Isa 50:1; Jer 3:8 (God's 'certificate of divorce' to Israel). The papyri use it for deeds of relinquishment (Moulton & Milligan). Josephus (Antiquities 4.253) explains that the written deed lets the woman lawfully 'consort with another'. The Mishnah (Gittin 9:3) gives the key clause: 'Behold, you are permitted to any man.' Mur 19 says in Aramaic that she is free 'to go and become the wife of any Jewish man you wish'.