Name: Charmaine Friday
Question: Concerning Deuteronomy 22:5, please explain if God says that women should not wear pants. Does this apply to the old testament period or to present day as well?
Answer: Thank you for the question Charmaine.
We are going to learn, God’s concern was He did not want His People cross-dressing. It is certainly okay for women to wear women’s pants.
Men And Woman Wore Robes In Ancient Times
Now before we dive in, we should understand both men and women wore robes in ancient times, that was the attire of the day. Joseph wore a robe (Genesis 37:3), the Priests wore robes (Exodus 28:4), the king’s daughters wore robes (2 Samuel 13:18), and those who overcome life and the Tribulation will stand before God’s Throne wearing “white robes,” (Revelation 7:9).
Clearly, God never had a problem with men and women wearing robes.
Why?
Simply stated, there are robes for women, and there are robes for men. There are pants for women, and there are pants for men.
So that means there is more to the story here.
God Is Against Cross-Dressing
Now let’s read Deuteronomy 22:5 together to further our understanding of this subject.
Deuteronomy 22:5
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.
God made three main points here.
- A woman should not wear a man’s clothes.
- A man should not wear a woman’s clothes.
- Those that do are an abomination to God.
To be clear, the word “abomination” means,
Something disgusting (morally), that is, (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol: – abominable (custom, thing), abomination.
Does anyone honestly think a woman wearing women’s pants has committed an abomination before God?
I certainly hope not.
God’s point was a man should not wear the garments of a woman, just as a woman should not wear the garments of a man. There are women’s pants, and there are men’s pants. There are women’s robes, and there are men’s robes.
God’s concern was cross-dressing. If a man put on women’s apparel and flaunted around like a woman, that would be considered an abomination to Him. Today, this is known as dressing in drag or transvestism.
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That is confusion and promotes homosexual acts which God is against. Our Father clearly explained in Leviticus 20:13, a homosexual act is an abomination to Him, just as those who cross-dress are.
God Is Against The Effeminate
To further the point, let us turn to the New Testament.
1 Corinthians 6:9
Also: Romans 1:26-27, 1 Timothy 1:10
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind.
Those who are “abusers” of themselves with mankind means, “sodomites” and “effeminate” means,
An effeminate man behaves or looks similar to a woman.
Cambridge Dictionary
God is talking about homosexuality.
God is talking about men who act, dress, and make themselves look like women. That is cross-dressing and what transvestites (transgenders) do, which God forbid in Deuteronomy 22:5. This also applies to women who attempt to imitate men.
These are all unrighteous acts, and Deuteronomy 25:16 explains, “all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God”.
A woman wearing women’s pants is not an abomination before God. Further, a woman wearing her husband’s shirt for chores or comfort is not an abomination to God.
Remember, the intent is to be “effeminate”. To the point of changing your personality to that of the opposite sex, even using clothing to do so. That is where the perversion and abomination come in, and that is what God was talking about in Deuteronomy 22:5.
Women Should Dress Godly
In all aspects, Christians are to conduct themselves in a Godly manner. We are supposed to be a reflection of Jesus Christ. God even explained how a woman should dress.
Turn your Bible with me to,
1 Timothy 2:9-10
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
This is a great example of how Godly women should present themselves. Women can certainly display their beauty, but in a modest way. No short skirts, no plastered on makeup to draw attention to herself. Rather, she should dress modestly in order to reflect a positive image, one that is centered around Jesus instead of promoting lust.
In case some go too far in the opposite direction, modesty does not mean dull, boring, and without character. There is nothing wrong with a woman appearing beautiful with nice clothing and makeup. The difference is when a woman veers from modesty and embraces a sexually provocative appearance to entice men. I think we all know the difference here.
As 1 Corinthians 14:40 explains,
Let all things be done decently and in order.
Summary
God’s Word always helps bring clarity to a subject when we think it through. Men should act like men, which includes masculine attire. Likewise, women should act like women, which includes feminine attire. After all, that is only natural, and in order with God’s Law.