Expert: Marilyn - 1/20/2006

Question
Discussion among friends regarding women dressing in slacks or jeans.  Some are of opinion Deut 22:5 means literally "mens clothing" and some others in our group feels that it means women should not dress like men to basically change their gender as transvites and  not
just wearing of slacks or jeans for comfort

I am aware of clothing due to cultures  and in most of the bible times men did not wear pants but  form of robes.

Any clarification and referral to bibical scripture would be helpful in our discussion  and understanding of our time  re wearing of certain clothing.

Thank you very much for your time in responding.  

Answer
Adding this article to this answer:
http://www.frame-poythress.org/poythress_articles/1998Gender2How.htm

This article was written by Vern S. Poythress http://www.frame-poythress.org/VHBiogWeb.html

Hello Evelyn;

The NIV reads:  "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."  

The Amplified Bible says:  "The woman shall not wear that which pertains to a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garments; for all that do so are an abomination to the Lord your God."

The NKJV and the old KJV agree with the Amplified.

My "Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary..." speaks of several words English would translate as to "put on clothes."  God "clothed" Adam & Eve with animals skins, for example.  The word can refer to ordinary putting on of clothes, but is also used in a figurative sense when the book of Job says, "My flesh is clothed in worms..."  The same word is used to describe God clothed in "honor and majesty" in the Psalms.  It's also used in abstract ways such as to be "clothed in shame."  Gideon is described as possessed by God's Spirit, "The Spirit of the Lord clothed Himself with Gideon," Judges 6:34.

The word used to denote "man" in the Deuteronomy 22:5 passage is the word "geber" and is a synonym for "is."  The word "is" or "geber" refers to man as the counterpart of woman, different because of his maleness.  "Is" is defined as "man, husband; mate; human being; human; somebody; each; every,” to my understanding, all meaning male, that is, male human beings or male somebodies etc.  

The noun is often used in marriage contexts to indicate “husband” or “mate”--the maleness of "is" is emphasized more than any other usage of the word.  Sometimes "is" is used to describe strong, influential, knowledgeable and powerful men.  It's also used when men are described as fathers.  

"Issah" is used to indicate "woman; wife; betrothed one; bride; each."  The noun indicates a female regardless of age or virginity and indicates femaleness as different from maleness.  Issah also refers to "mother."  It is used to insult opponents, describing them as issah, women.

In the KJV Deuteronomy 22:5 reads, "The issah (woman) shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a geber (man), neither shall a geber (man) put on a issah's (woman's) garment:  for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God."  

Given this evidence it is my opinion that what God finds detestable is the putting on of clothing belonging to the opposite sex in order to submerge one's gender and take on another; to become a transvestite.  This verse is not condemning men who dress as women as a lark in a play or women who wear pants for riding horses etc., persons who are doing these things are not submerging their true genders, they are still male and female.  It's the act of becoming a transvestite that God hates.

The New Testament says God finds the sin of homosexuality detestable; it stands to reason He's not changed His mind about transvestite behaviors.  One must be careful, however, not to fall into the trap of legalism or attempting to obey the Old Covenant.  Under the Old Covenant, for example, no more blends in fabric, but only pure cotton or pure rayon, etc..  No more shrimp or catfish.  And the commands for sacrifices, which after Solomon, must be done at the temple in Jerusalem, cannot be kept at all.  Jesus paid the price of the Old Covenant and fulfilled it—-it's over.

Fixating on strict adherence to law leads to legalism.  Also to blindness toward one's own failings and/or a huge load of guilt.  Legalism and love are not compatible, for Love bears all things, while legalism will bear nothing but perfection.  

Jesus' disciples gleaned on the Sabbath, an unacceptable practice under the Old Covenant.  Jesus answered the accusations of the Pharisees by pointing out how the greater purpose of the law, love, honoring parents etc., had been usurped in favor of meticulous, petty obedience of the letter of the law in their own lives.  Jesus taught Love, to love God and our neighbors, and by doing those we would fulfill the Law.  

Jesus came to fulfill the law and pay for its demands so that believers in Him might be free of the death it brings and be redeemed from the curse.  Be careful in your studies you do not fall prey to the allure of legalism.

May God bless you richly,

Marilyn