Does Qur'an Verse 4:34 Command Husbands to Strike their Wives?

"Strike" is a Possible Translation, but the Root of the Word (ḍād rā bā ض ر ب) has Multiple Meanings, such as "Travel" and "Set Forth"

So in Order to Determine which of These is the Actual Meaning, the Context of Verse 4:34 has to be Examined, as Well as its Relation to Other Relevant Verses in the Qur'an:

4:34, Qur'an
Men are maintainers of women because of what God has given in preference to one over the other and because they spend from their wealth.  So righteous [women] are obedient, guarding the unseen which God would have them guard.  But those [wives] from whom you fear contempt - (1) advise them; [then if they persist], (2) avoid them in bed; and [finally], (3) "strike them," or "set forth from them?"  But if they obey you [once more], do not seek a way against them.  Indeed, God is Most High and Most Great.

1.  So if a Husband Fears Contempt from his Wife, First, he Must Advise her, Whereby if he Fears Dissension, he is to Send an Arbitrator for Reconciliation

4:34, Qur'an
…Those [wives] from whom you fear contempt - [first] advise them… -

4:35, Qur'an
[Whereby] if you fear dissension between the two, send an arbitrator from his people and an arbitrator from her people.  If they both desire reconciliation, God will cause it between them.  Indeed, God is Knowing and Aware.

2.  But if Advising her Fails, Then he Must Avoid his Wife in Bed for a Waiting Period of Four Months

4:34, Qur'an
[So for] those [wives] from whom you fear contempt - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], avoid them in bed -

2:226 - 227, Qur'an
[Whereby] for those who swear [to not have sexual relations] with their wives, it is a waiting time of four months…

65:1, Qur'an
[For] when you divorce women, O prophet, divorce them for their waiting period and keep count of the waiting period, and fear God, your Lord. Do not turn them out of their houses, nor should they leave unless they are committing a clear immorality. And those are the limits [set by] God. And whoever transgresses the limits of God has certainly wronged himself. You do not know; perhaps God will bring about a [different] matter after that -

2:226 - 227, Qur'an
…[Whereby] if they [do] return [to normal relations] - then indeed, God is Forgiving and Merciful.  [But] if they decide on divorce - then indeed, God is Hearing and Knowing.

3.  But if Advising her and Avoiding her in Bed for Four Months Fail, Then the Husband Must Logically "Set Forth from her [in Divorce]," Not "Strike her"

For When you Divorce Women and they have Reached their Term, then Either Retain them According to Acceptable Terms or Release them, do Not Keep them Intending Harm

4:34, Qur'an
…[So for] those [wives] from whom you fear contempt - [first] advise them [whereby if you fear dissension, then send an arbitrator]; [but if they persist], avoid them in bed [for a waiting period of four months]; and [finally], set forth from them [in divorce].  But if they obey you [once more], do not seek a way against them.  Indeed, God is Most High and Most Great.

2:231, Qur'an
[And thus,] when you divorce women and they have reached their term, either retain them according to acceptable terms or release them according to acceptable terms, and do not keep them, intending harm, to transgress [against them].  And whoever does that has certainly wronged himself.  And do not take the verses of God in jest.  And remember the favor of God upon you and what has been sent down to you of the Book and wisdom by which He instructs you. And fear God and know that God is Knowing of all things.

Therefore, the meaning for wa-iḍ'ribūhunna (وَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ) in 4:34 is not "strike," but "set forth," which follows the meaning for the triliteral root ḍād rā bā (ض ر ب) found in 3:156, 4:94, 4:101, and 5:106