Replies

... it seems to me that under Jewish law, once you were engaged you were consider married-just not consummated until the wedding night. If a person wanted to break the vow[s] before the consummation process, it required a certificate of divorce. Thus Joseph had to "put her away quietly". Joseph couldn't just call off the engagement. I don't have my reference books but if anyone can shed light on this I would appreciate any corrections or updates.

I checked several websites, both Catholic and Protestant, and the consensus was what you are saying here. The only way to break a betrothal would have been for Joseph to issue a bill of divorce, following standard Jewish law. So, having a case of cold feet would not have been good enough, but fornication/adultery would have been a sufficient reason. This explains the language in verse 19, i.e. they had not had the marriage ceremony yet.