Some of the laws of Moses seem odd to us. For instance, why were fabrics not to be mixed in a garment? (Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 22:11).
Bible critics are known to use some of the laws to suggest that the Bible is unjust. For instance, doesn’t an eye for an eye lead to a world of blindness?
In this series, we will examine some of the 613 Mitzvot (commandments) contained in the Torah (the law of Moses as revealed in the first five books of the Hebrew Bible). It is our aim to understand them better and to be able to answer critics. We will divide these by topic. Some will be odd or difficult to us. Others will not be.
1. Be Covered.
God wanted His priest to be careful to be modest. They were not to be naked before the people (Exodus 20:26; 28:42-43). James Burton Coffman quotes Robert P. Gordon saying, “Ritual nakedness, especially for priests, was a feature of some ancient pagan religions; it was to be quite otherwise in Israel (Coffman, Exodus, p. 401). Dennis Prager comments, “Ancient worship often involved cult prostitution and sexual displays. The Torah, in its ongoing battle against pagan practices, insists nakedness has no place in worship…” (Prager, Exodus, p. 277).
It was not the priest alone. God wanted His people covered. He covered Adam and Eve in “tunics of skin” (Genesis 3:21). Wilson’s Word Studies says, “a tunic, worn next to the skin… generally with sleeves, to the knees, but seldom to the ankles.” To uncover the thigh was to be naked (Isaiah 47:1-3).
2. Blue Thread.
The children of Israel were to make tassels with blue thread on the corners of their garments (Numbers 15:37-41). These were to be visible reminders to keep the commandments of the LORD (Numbers 15:39-40). Blue is the color of the sky above. Perhaps, blue was intended to remind them of heaven, and God above.
This blue thread would also set apart Israelites from others in dress. It would be easy to identify one as Israelite. Every day they wore an outward sign that identified them with Jehovah. They represented Him.
3. Do Not Cross-Dress.
The children of Israel were not to confuse their sex by how they dressed (Deuteronomy 22:5). There was to be a distinction in the dress of males and females. Why this commandment? Dennis Prager commented, “Many scholars believe this prohibition is related to ancient transvestite religious rituals” (Prager, Deuteronomy, p. 339; see also, Wayne Jackson, Does the Bible Forbid Women to Wear Pants?, christiancourier.com). Others have suggested that this may concern dress that accommodates homosexuality (Wayne Jackson, Does the Bible Forbid Women to Wear Pants?, christiancourier.com). However, the reason for the command is not stated.
Wayne Jackson made this observation, “We should recall, however, that in biblical times, clothing for males and females was different only in style and details, not in kind. Men did not wear trousers and women did not adorn themselves with skirts and blouses. While it undoubtedly is true that God wants some sexual distinction apparent in men’s and women’s garments, it is not legitimate to say that all women’s pants are wrong or, for that matter, that Scottish kilts are sinful for the men of that culture. A woman can be feminine in a modest pant-suit (cf. 1 Timothy 2:9-10) and men can still be masculine in a robe-like garment as in some Near Eastern countries today” (ibid).
4. Do Not Mix Fabrics.
Israelites were not to mix the fabrics in the garments that they wore (Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 22:11). Specifically mentioned is wool and linen (Deuteronomy 22:11). Why? We are not told. Moreover, God does not have to tell us why. James Burton Coffman commented, “We cannot be sure why some of these things were forbidden, but in all likelihood they were connected with pagan customs and superstitions in which God did not allow Israel to take part… one principle stands out, that is, things which God has separated should not be joined together” (Coffman, Leviticus, studylight.org).
However, there is an interesting theory that this has to do with holiness, separating the sacred from the profane. The High Priest wore a garment which was composed of thread (thought to be wool) and linen (Exodus 28:6-8; 39:3-4). It may be that God was distinguishing the sacred from the profane. He did so with the holy anointing oil; it was not to be duplicated for common use. (Exodus 30:31-38).
About Bryan Hodge
I am a minister and missionary to numerous countries around the world.
Bryan Hodge 
Law of Moses: Clothing
Some of the laws of Moses seem odd to us. For instance, why were fabrics not to be mixed in a garment? (Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 22:11).
Bible critics are known to use some of the laws to suggest that the Bible is unjust. For instance, doesn’t an eye for an eye lead to a world of blindness?
In this series, we will examine some of the 613 Mitzvot (commandments) contained in the Torah (the law of Moses as revealed in the first five books of the Hebrew Bible). It is our aim to understand them better and to be able to answer critics. We will divide these by topic. Some will be odd or difficult to us. Others will not be.
1. Be Covered.
God wanted His priest to be careful to be modest. They were not to be naked before the people (Exodus 20:26; 28:42-43). James Burton Coffman quotes Robert P. Gordon saying, “Ritual nakedness, especially for priests, was a feature of some ancient pagan religions; it was to be quite otherwise in Israel (Coffman, Exodus, p. 401). Dennis Prager comments, “Ancient worship often involved cult prostitution and sexual displays. The Torah, in its ongoing battle against pagan practices, insists nakedness has no place in worship…” (Prager, Exodus, p. 277).
It was not the priest alone. God wanted His people covered. He covered Adam and Eve in “tunics of skin” (Genesis 3:21). Wilson’s Word Studies says, “a tunic, worn next to the skin… generally with sleeves, to the knees, but seldom to the ankles.” To uncover the thigh was to be naked (Isaiah 47:1-3).
2. Blue Thread.
The children of Israel were to make tassels with blue thread on the corners of their garments (Numbers 15:37-41). These were to be visible reminders to keep the commandments of the LORD (Numbers 15:39-40). Blue is the color of the sky above. Perhaps, blue was intended to remind them of heaven, and God above.
This blue thread would also set apart Israelites from others in dress. It would be easy to identify one as Israelite. Every day they wore an outward sign that identified them with Jehovah. They represented Him.
3. Do Not Cross-Dress.
The children of Israel were not to confuse their sex by how they dressed (Deuteronomy 22:5). There was to be a distinction in the dress of males and females. Why this commandment? Dennis Prager commented, “Many scholars believe this prohibition is related to ancient transvestite religious rituals” (Prager, Deuteronomy, p. 339; see also, Wayne Jackson, Does the Bible Forbid Women to Wear Pants?, christiancourier.com). Others have suggested that this may concern dress that accommodates homosexuality (Wayne Jackson, Does the Bible Forbid Women to Wear Pants?, christiancourier.com). However, the reason for the command is not stated.
Wayne Jackson made this observation, “We should recall, however, that in biblical times, clothing for males and females was different only in style and details, not in kind. Men did not wear trousers and women did not adorn themselves with skirts and blouses. While it undoubtedly is true that God wants some sexual distinction apparent in men’s and women’s garments, it is not legitimate to say that all women’s pants are wrong or, for that matter, that Scottish kilts are sinful for the men of that culture. A woman can be feminine in a modest pant-suit (cf. 1 Timothy 2:9-10) and men can still be masculine in a robe-like garment as in some Near Eastern countries today” (ibid).
4. Do Not Mix Fabrics.
Israelites were not to mix the fabrics in the garments that they wore (Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 22:11). Specifically mentioned is wool and linen (Deuteronomy 22:11). Why? We are not told. Moreover, God does not have to tell us why. James Burton Coffman commented, “We cannot be sure why some of these things were forbidden, but in all likelihood they were connected with pagan customs and superstitions in which God did not allow Israel to take part… one principle stands out, that is, things which God has separated should not be joined together” (Coffman, Leviticus, studylight.org).
However, there is an interesting theory that this has to do with holiness, separating the sacred from the profane. The High Priest wore a garment which was composed of thread (thought to be wool) and linen (Exodus 28:6-8; 39:3-4). It may be that God was distinguishing the sacred from the profane. He did so with the holy anointing oil; it was not to be duplicated for common use. (Exodus 30:31-38).
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About Bryan Hodge
I am a minister and missionary to numerous countries around the world.