Protasis, Apodosis, and Clause in Deuteronomy 24:1–4

By Ed Rangel
Series: Keeping the Faith 2025

Table of Contents

1. Introduction – A Warning to the Honest Bible Student
2. Key Terms: Clause, Protasis, Apodosis
3. Deuteronomy 24:1–4 – Structure Breakdown
4. Why Structure Matters
5. Scholarly Sources & Notes
6. Appendix: Color-Coded Breakdown of Deuteronomy 24:1–4 (Hebrew–English)

Introduction – A Warning to the Honest Bible Student

One of the greatest dangers facing Christians today is when people with a little academic vocabulary use it to defend teachings that directly contradict the plain structure of the Word of God. Most Christians—good, sincere, and humble—are at a disadvantage unless someone patiently explains the issue, step by step and in clear language. That’s what this study aims to do.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
—2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB95)

This is not about intellectual pride; it’s about clarity and faithfulness. When someone says,

“Moses said it’s okay to divorce,”

they are misreading the law. If you pay attention to the grammatical structure in Deuteronomy 24:1–4, you’ll see instead:

“Moses described what was already happening and then issued a restriction.”

That is a huge difference—between permission and limitation.
And when Jesus cites this passage in Matthew 19, He does not say Moses commanded divorce. He says Moses permitted it because of sin. That distinction makes all the difference. You do not have to be a scholar to see this—the key is asking good questions, reading slowly, and knowing the difference between a condition and a command. That is how you rightly divide the Word.

Key Terms: Clause, Protasis, Apodosis

These terms are used in Greek and Hebrew grammar to explain conditional logic in Scripture, especially in legal texts like Deuteronomy 24:1–4.
(See: Waltke & O’Connor, Biblical Hebrew Syntax; Gesenius’ Hebrew Grammar §159; Craigie, NICOT on Deuteronomy.)

Deuteronomy 24:1–4 – Structure Breakdown

This passage is one long sentence in the Hebrew text, with:

• A cascading chain of protases (verses 1–3); and
• One apodosis (verse 4), containing the single legal ruling.

Why Structure Matters

Understanding grammar is not about showing off; it’s about making sure we do not twist the Word of God without realizing it. The structure of Deuteronomy 24:1–4 is intentional: it guards us against error by showing that the law is describing a situation, not commanding an action, and the only direct command is the prohibition in verse 4.

1. The Danger of Reading What Isn’t There

“Moses said it was okay to divorce” is a dangerous oversimplification.

But if we slow down and pay attention to the grammar:

“Moses acknowledged divorce was happening, and then gave a restriction.”

That’s a massive difference. One implies approval; the other describes the regulation of sin.

“Because of your hardness of heart, Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way.”
—Matthew 19:8 (NASB95)

Jesus Himself understood the structure—and corrected the abuse.

2. Protecting the Sacredness of Marriage

Verse 4 is the only binding command in the passage:

“Then her former husband… must not take her again to be his wife.” (v. 4)

Everything else is setup—a hypothetical chain that Moses uses to highlight the seriousness of marital defilement. The restriction was meant to protect Israel from:

• Treating marriage like a revolving door
• Profaning the land God gave them
• Turning marriage into legal manipulation

3. Rightly Dividing the Word

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God… accurately handling the word of truth.”
—2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB95)

This is not a minor issue. This is about rightly dividing the Word of God so that we:

• Speak where God speaks
• Are silent where God is silent
• Do not bind what God does not bind
• Do not permit what God prohibits

Scholarly Sources & Notes

The structure and interpretation of Deuteronomy 24:1–4 have been thoroughly studied by scholars in Hebrew law, biblical syntax, and exegesis. These trusted references confirm the legal and grammatical flow of the passage:

1. Hebrew Syntax & Grammar

• Waltke, Bruce K., and M. O’Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Eisenbrauns, 1990. (Sections 39–41 on conditional clauses)
  Read/book
• Gesenius, Wilhelm. Gesenius’ Hebrew Grammar, 2nd English Ed. by A.E. Cowley. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1910. (§159–160 for conditional constructions)
  Read/PDF

2. Deuteronomy Legal Commentary

• Craigie, Peter C. The Book of Deuteronomy (NICOT). Eerdmans, 1976. (Publisher Link)
• Weinfeld, Moshe. Deuteronomy 1–11 (Anchor Bible). Doubleday, 1991.
• Driver, S. R. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Deuteronomy. T&T Clark, 1902. (Online Edition)

3. Theological Analysis

• Wenham, Gordon J. The Theology of the Pentateuch: A Reflection on Method. Westminster John Knox, 1992.
• Jesus' use of Deuteronomy 24 in Matthew 19:8 confirms a concessive reading (not a prescriptive one). See also:
  David Instone-Brewer, Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible (Eerdmans);
  Craig S. Keener, And Marries Another… (Hendrickson)

Online Articles

• "Deuteronomy 24:1–4: What Did Moses Command?" – Bible Project
• "What Does Deuteronomy 24 Actually Say About Divorce?" – Stand to Reason

Appendix: Color-Coded Breakdown of Deuteronomy 24:1–4 (Hebrew–English)

Note: This breakdown uses a literal rendering of the Hebrew with careful formatting to distinguish protasis (the chain of conditions) from the apodosis (legal command). Seeing this structure visually is key for proper interpretation.