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.

KJV (with Strong's)

The woman {H802} shall not wear that which pertaineth {H3627} unto a man {H1397}, neither shall a man {H1397} put {H3847} on a woman's {H802} garment {H8071}: for all that do {H6213} so {H428} are abomination {H8441} unto the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"A woman is not to wear men's clothing, and a man is not to put on women's clothing, for whoever does these things is detestable to ADONAI your God.

Berean Standard Bible

A woman must not wear men’s clothing, and a man must not wear women’s clothing, for whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD your God.

American Standard Version

A woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment; for whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto Jehovah thy God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 22:5 prohibits cross-dressing, declaring it an "abomination" to the LORD. This command is part of a broader collection of laws given to ancient Israel, designed to establish a holy and distinct nation set apart from the pagan practices of surrounding cultures. It underscores God's created order, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clear gender distinctions as a reflection of divine design and a safeguard against idolatry, cultic immorality, and societal confusion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 22:5 is situated within a diverse collection of civil, social, and moral laws that follow the Ten Commandments and precede the final blessings and curses of the covenant. This chapter specifically addresses a range of regulations concerning property rights, animal welfare, sexual purity, and social order, including laws about finding lost items, protecting birds' nests, building safe homes, and maintaining integrity in personal conduct. The placement of this prohibition against cross-dressing alongside laws promoting order and distinction (e.g., not mixing different kinds of seed or animal, [Deuteronomy 22:9-11](/deuteronomy/22-9 "Deuteronomy 22:9-11 - Laws on Mixing")) suggests a broader concern for maintaining clear boundaries and avoiding confusion in God's created order. It serves as a reminder that Israel's holiness was to permeate all aspects of daily life, not just religious rituals.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Deuteronomy serves as Moses' final address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before their entry into the Promised Land. These laws were intended to prepare them for life as a settled nation in Canaan, a land saturated with pagan religious practices. Many Canaanite fertility cults, such as those dedicated to Baal and Asherah, involved rituals that intentionally blurred gender distinctions, including cultic prostitution, transvestism, and other forms of sexual immorality, often as a means of invoking divine favor or fertility. Such practices were deeply ingrained in the religious and social fabric of the surrounding nations. The prohibition in [Deuteronomy 22:5](/deuteronomy/22-5 "Deuteronomy 22:5 - Prohibition Against Cross-Dressing") therefore served as a powerful boundary marker, distinguishing Israel's worship of the one true God from the detestable practices of their neighbors, which are frequently condemned as "abominations" throughout the Pentateuch (e.g., [Deuteronomy 18:9-12](/deuteronomy/18-9 "Deuteronomy 18:9-12 - Detestable Practices")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Order and Distinction**, reflecting God's original creation of humanity as distinct male and female, as established in [Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Creation of Male and Female"). The law emphasizes the importance of maintaining these God-ordained distinctions in society. Secondly, it highlights the **Rejection of Pagan Practices**, serving as a clear demarcation against the idolatrous and immoral cultic activities prevalent in Canaanite religion, which often involved the blurring of gender roles. Thirdly, the law promotes **Societal Clarity and Morality**, aiming to prevent confusion in social identity that could lead to sexual perversion or undermine the integrity of family and community structures. Finally, the strong term "abomination" (Hebrew: *to'evah*) underscores the theme of **Holiness and Purity**, signifying something utterly detestable to the LORD due to its defiling nature, particularly in matters of worship and sexual ethics, as seen in other prohibitions like [Leviticus 18:22](/leviticus/18-22 "Leviticus 18:22 - Prohibition Against Homosexuality").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"pertaineth unto a man" (Hebrew, _keli gever'_):** This phrase, *keli gever*, is broader than just "clothing." *Keli* can refer to "vessel," "implement," "weapon," "article," or "equipment," while *gever* denotes a "strong man" or "warrior." Thus, *keli gever* encompasses not only distinctly male attire but also any accouterments, tools, or weapons that are strongly associated with a man's identity, role, or profession in that culture. The prohibition therefore extends beyond mere fashion to the adoption of a male persona or identity through one's external presentation.
* **"woman's garment" (Hebrew, _simlat isha'_):** *Simlah* refers to an outer garment or cloak, and *ishah* means "woman." This phrase specifically denotes attire that is distinctly feminine in ancient Israelite culture. The pairing with *keli gever* creates a comprehensive prohibition against either gender adopting the apparel or associated articles of the opposite sex. The emphasis is on the distinctiveness of the clothing as culturally recognized for one gender over the other.
* **"abomination" (Hebrew, _to'evah'_):** This is a powerful and frequently used term in the Old Testament, denoting something utterly detestable, abhorrent, or repugnant to God. It is often applied to practices that are an affront to God's holiness, covenant, or created order, particularly idolatry, sexual perversion (e.g., [Leviticus 18:22](/leviticus/18-22 "Leviticus 18:22 - Abomination of Homosexuality")), and certain cultic rituals. Its use here elevates the prohibition beyond a mere social impropriety to a grave moral and theological offense, indicating that such actions fundamentally violate God's design and character.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man":** This clause directly prohibits women from adopting items, including clothing, tools, or accouterments, that are culturally recognized as belonging to or defining a man's identity. This would have been understood in the context of ancient Israelite society, where gender roles and associated attire were distinct and often signified one's social function and identity.
* **"neither shall a man put on a woman's garment":** This parallel clause extends the prohibition to men, forbidding them from wearing clothing distinctly recognized as feminine. The reciprocal nature of the command emphasizes the principle of maintaining clear gender distinctions for both sexes, reinforcing the idea that this is a universal standard for the covenant community.
* **"for all that do so [are] abomination unto the LORD thy God":** This concluding statement provides the divine rationale and gravity of the prohibition. The act of intentionally blurring gender distinctions through attire or associated items is declared *to'evah*, an "abomination," signifying God's deep moral repugnance. This strong theological condemnation underscores that such practices are not merely cultural preferences but a violation of God's revealed will and created order, potentially leading to or being associated with idolatrous and immoral practices.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 22:5 employs several literary devices to convey its message with clarity and force. The primary device is **Prohibition**, explicitly stating what is forbidden ("shall not wear," "neither shall... put on"). This direct command leaves no room for ambiguity regarding the expected conduct. The verse also utilizes **Antithesis** by presenting a clear contrast between "woman" and "man," and "that which pertaineth unto a man" and "a woman's garment." This creates a balanced, reciprocal structure that emphasizes the universal application of the principle to both genders. Furthermore, the use of the term "abomination" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or strong theological condemnation, elevating the seriousness of the offense beyond a simple social faux pas to a profound violation of divine order and holiness. This term acts as a powerful deterrent, signaling God's utter detestation for practices that undermine His design.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The prohibition in Deuteronomy 22:5, while specific to ancient Israelite cultural context, resonates with foundational biblical truths about God's created order and His call to holiness. It underscores the divine intention for distinct male and female identities, established at creation ([Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - God Creates Male and Female")). The law served as a visible expression of Israel's covenant distinctiveness from the pagan nations, whose cultic practices often involved the blurring of gender roles and sexual immorality. This emphasis on external order reflected an internal commitment to God's design for human flourishing and purity, preventing confusion and upholding the sanctity of identity. Ultimately, it points to God's desire for His people to live in alignment with His good and ordered creation, reflecting His character in their daily lives.

* [Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - God Creates Male and Female")
* [Leviticus 18:22](/leviticus/18-22 "Leviticus 18:22 - Prohibition Against Homosexuality")
* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God is a God of Order")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 22:5 challenges believers today to consider the enduring principles behind ancient laws. While cultural expressions of gender and clothing have evolved dramatically, the underlying call to honor God's created order and maintain clarity in identity remains relevant. This verse encourages us to avoid intentional actions that obscure distinct male and female identities, particularly when such actions could lead to confusion, impropriety, or undermine God's design for sexuality and relationships. It calls us to live with integrity, reflecting God's wisdom in our outward presentation and inner character, and to be a people set apart from cultural trends that contradict biblical truth. Our choices in attire and self-presentation should promote modesty, respect for God-given distinctions, and a clear witness to the world about the beauty and order of God's creation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's original creation of male and female in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") inform our understanding of gender distinctions today?**
* **In what ways might contemporary culture challenge or blur the distinctions between male and female, and how should believers respond?**
* **Beyond literal clothing, what does it mean to "maintain clarity" in our identity and roles as men and women in Christ?**
* **How can we live distinctly from worldly values while still engaging with and loving our neighbors?**

### FAQ
**Does Deuteronomy 22:5 prohibit all forms of gender-neutral clothing or modern fashion trends?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 22:5 prohibits wearing "that which pertaineth unto a man" by a woman, and "a woman's garment" by a man. The key is the cultural distinction of the garment at the time. In ancient Israel, male and female attire were distinctly different, often in cut, fabric, and ornamentation, and these differences were tied to social roles and religious practices. The concern was not about every minor variation in clothing but about intentionally blurring clear, culturally understood gender distinctions, often in connection with pagan cultic practices or sexual immorality. Modern clothing styles are far more varied and often include items that are functionally gender-neutral (e.g., t-shirts, jeans). The principle for believers today is to seek modesty, clarity, and to avoid intentionally adopting attire or behaviors that aim to defy or confuse God's created order of male and female, especially if it leads to impropriety or promotes ungodly ideologies. The spirit of the law points to honoring God's design rather than rigidly applying ancient cultural specifics to every modern fashion choice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 22:5 is a specific Old Testament law, its underlying principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. This law, like others concerning order and distinction, points to God's character as a God of order, not confusion ([1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God is a God of Order")). In Christ, the emphasis shifts from outward legal observance to an inward transformation of the heart by the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not abolish the Law but fulfilled it, revealing its ultimate purpose and meaning ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). The New Testament calls believers to live as a new creation in Christ, where identity is primarily found in Him, transcending superficial distinctions while still respecting God's created design ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile, Slave or Free, Male or Female in Christ")). The call to holiness and distinctiveness for Israel now applies to the Church, which is called to be set apart for God's glory, reflecting His righteousness and order in a world often marked by confusion and rebellion against divine design ([1 Peter 2:9-10](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9-10 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")). Thus, the spirit of Deuteronomy 22:5 encourages believers to live in a manner that honors God's wisdom in creation, promotes clarity and purity, and bears witness to the transformative power of the Gospel, which restores humanity to its intended design in Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 11:4

Every man praying or prophesying, having [his] head covered, dishonoureth his head.

1 Corinthians 11:15

But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for [her] hair is given her for a covering.

Deuteronomy 18:12

For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.