Deuteronomy 22:5 kjv
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
Deuteronomy 22:5 nkjv
"A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman's garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 22:5 niv
A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.
Deuteronomy 22:5 esv
"A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 22:5 nlt
"A woman must not put on men's clothing, and a man must not wear women's clothing. Anyone who does this is detestable in the sight of the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 22 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:27 | So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. | God's distinct creation of male and female. |
| Lev 18:22 | You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. | Abomination: defying God's sexual order. |
| Lev 20:13 | If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination... | Abomination: grave sexual sin. |
| Deut 22:9-11 | You shall not sow your vineyard with two kinds of seed... You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. You shall not wear cloth of wool and linen mixed together. | Principle of distinctness/purity. |
| 1 Cor 11:14-15 | Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair, it is a dishonor for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? | Gender distinction reflected in appearance. |
| 1 Tim 2:9-10 | ...likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control... | Modesty and gender-appropriate appearance. |
| Rom 1:26-27 | For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions... For even their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. | Violation of natural order leading to perversion. |
| Mal 2:16 | “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel... | God hates violations of creation/covenant. |
| Lev 19:19 | You shall keep my statutes. You shall not let your cattle breed with a different kind. You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor shall you wear a garment of material mixed between two kinds. | Mixing distinct things is forbidden. |
| Num 15:38-39 | “Speak to the people of Israel and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations... It shall be to you a tassel that you may look at it and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them..." | Clothing as a sign of obedience and identity. |
| Gen 5:2 | Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. | Confirms God's original creation. |
| 1 Cor 12:4-6 | Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. | God orders creation with diverse elements. |
| Phil 4:8 | Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable... think about these things. | Upholding virtues consistent with divine order. |
| Titus 2:3-5 | Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. | Distinct roles for men and women. |
| Prov 6:16-19 | There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him... | Lists various things God hates. |
| Deut 7:25-26 | The carved images of their gods you shall burn with fire... you shall not bring an abominable thing into your house and become devoted to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is devoted to destruction. | Abomination tied to idolatry and destruction. |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Unity in Christ transcends social/ethnic status, not biological gender. |
| 1 Pet 3:3-4 | Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. | Emphasizes inner disposition over external. |
| Rom 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind... | Resisting conformity to ungodly practices. |
| Heb 12:14 | Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. | Call to holiness and distinctiveness. |
| Zech 13:4 | “On that day every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies... no longer wear a hairy cloak in order to deceive." | Warnings against deceptive clothing. |
Deuteronomy 22 verses
Deuteronomy 22 5 Meaning
Deuteronomy 22:5 forbids individuals from wearing clothing specifically designated for the opposite sex. This prohibition maintains clear distinctions between male and female as ordained by God, ensuring the integrity of created order and preventing practices considered an "abomination" (Hebrew: to'evah) in God's eyes. It underscores the importance of maintaining proper gender identification and roles within the Israelite community, serving as a safeguard against sexual confusion, perversion, and pagan cultic rituals common in the surrounding nations.
Deuteronomy 22 5 Context
Deuteronomy 22 is part of a larger section (chapters 12-26) detailing the practical implications of God's covenant with Israel for daily life in the Promised Land. These laws aim to establish and maintain a holy society distinct from surrounding pagan nations. Following laws on returning lost property, this verse 5 initiates a series of miscellaneous commandments concerning moral and social order, purity, and the distinction between things (like mixing different kinds of seed, animals, or fabric). The overall thrust of these laws is to reinforce the unique identity of Israel as a set-apart people consecrated to the Lord. Historically, the prohibition would have served to counteract cultic practices of neighboring Canaanites, where blurring of gender lines (including ritual transvestism) was sometimes associated with fertility rites and idolatry, seen as an affront to divine order.
Deuteronomy 22 5 Word analysis
- A woman: ‘ishshah (אִשָּׁה). Emphasizes the biological and sociological designation of a female human being.
- shall not wear: lo’ yihyeh (לֹא יִהְיֶה). A direct and absolute prohibition. It implies an ongoing state of non-conformity rather than a single instance.
- a man's garment: kli gever (כְּלִי גֶּבֶר). Literally "equipment/article of a man." Kli is broad and can mean utensil, vessel, instrument, weapon, or anything that belongs to a man or is characteristic of him. It suggests more than just clothes, encompassing male attire, tools, or anything that symbolically denotes a male identity or role. This highlights the intention to cross gender identity, not simply wearing practical items.
- nor shall a man: ‘ish (אִישׁ). Distinguishing the male.
- put on: yilbash (יִלְבַּשׁ). To wear or be clothed with.
- a woman's cloak: simlat ishsah (שִׂמְלַת אִשָּׁה). A general outer garment, but here specifically described as a woman's. The specificity denotes clothes clearly recognized as characteristic of a woman's attire.
- for whoever does these things: ki to’evat Yahweh Eloheka (כִּי תוֹעֲבַת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ). Introduces the grave consequence and underlying reason. The Hebrew is emphatic.
- is an abomination: to’evah (תּוֹעֵבָה). This is a strong theological term, used 113 times in the Old Testament, denoting something inherently detestable or morally repulsive to God. It frequently describes pagan idolatry, ritual impurity, sexual perversions (Lev 18:22, 20:13), unjust weights, or deception. It signifies something that goes against God's nature, character, or established divine order, provoking His displeasure and often judgment. It's far stronger than simply "disliked" or "improper"; it indicates a violation of foundational principles of holiness.
- to the LORD your God: Yahweh Eloheka (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ). Emphasizes that this commandment originates directly from Israel's covenant God, reinforcing its divine authority and significance within their unique relationship with Him.
- "A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak": This phrase mandates a visible and unambiguous distinction between sexes in attire. It reflects the understanding that external appearance contributes to the identity and roles assigned by God within His created order. The core is maintaining distinct gender markers to avoid moral confusion, ritualistic transgression, or a societal blurring of boundaries that God established. It's not about arbitrary fashion trends, but a deeper spiritual and social principle rooted in the divine ordering of male and female.
- "for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God": This clarifies the severe spiritual nature of the transgression. It connects cross-dressing not merely to social impropriety, but to actions offensive to God Himself, potentially linked to pagan rites that distorted natural gender roles or encouraged sexual promiscuity. The "abomination" clause warns that such actions are not minor offenses but fundamentally challenge divine law and the purity required of His covenant people.
Deuteronomy 22 5 Bonus section
The command in Deut 22:5 falls under a broader biblical theme of "distinction" or "separateness." Throughout the Pentateuch, God instructs Israel to keep different categories distinct—e.g., clean and unclean animals, wool and linen (Dt 22:11), different kinds of seed (Dt 22:9). This principle extends to social and gender roles, underscoring that God's order is one of clear boundaries and defined categories, not chaos or mixing that blurs natural or moral lines. While direct applications to modern fashion are debated, the underlying principle of recognizing and respecting God-given gender distinctions remains pertinent to maintaining a godly identity and resisting behaviors that dishonor divine creation. This is primarily a moral and spiritual prohibition rooted in the inherent order established by God, which affects the identity of His people and their worship.
Deuteronomy 22 5 Commentary
Deuteronomy 22:5 is not merely a sumptuary law about clothing choices; it is a profound theological statement concerning the divine order of creation. God, as the Creator, purposefully made humanity as distinct male and female (Gen 1:27). This verse enforces the preservation of those clear gender distinctions in ancient Israel, counteracting cultural pressures and pagan religious practices where gender blurring or ritualistic transvestism might occur. The term "abomination" (to'evah) signals that such blurring violates a fundamental aspect of God's character and design for humanity, potentially leading to or endorsing sexual perversion or idolatrous cults. It reinforces Israel's call to be a holy nation, separate and distinct from the surrounding nations whose practices challenged God's divine order. The underlying principle extends beyond mere fashion to uphold God's blueprint for identity, roles, and moral purity within His covenant community.