Deuteronomy 22:13
“If any man takes a wife, and goes in to her, hates her,”
What does Deuteronomy 22:13 mean?
When a marriage begins but one spouse quickly turns against the other with hatred, that's the situation this law addresses. In ancient Israel, a hasty marriage followed by rejection created real harm—especially for the woman, whose reputation and prospects would be damaged. The law that follows this verse sets up protections to prevent a man from simply discarding his wife on false pretenses or sudden cruelty. It's a reminder that commitment matters and that the vulnerable need safeguarding, even in cultures very different from ours.