Deuteronomy 22:5

(2) APPROPRIATE CLOTHING FOR THE SEX (Deuteronomy 22:5)

5 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.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 22:5

362.

Why such a strong prohibition against wearing clothes of the opposite sex?

363.

Is God saying here we should be able to visibly tell whether a person is male or female? i.e. Should me appear to be the sex we are by the way we dress? Any modern day application for this?

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 22:5

5 The woman shall not wear that which pertains to a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment; for all that do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.

COMMENT 22:5

We are not told why God made this distinction in clothingor even that the distinction was between the two types of clothing. But (especially when Deuteronomy 22:9-12 are compared) it appears quite obvious that God wanted Israel to recognize a distinction, a difference, and a separation. He wanted his people to know whether they were seeing a male or female.

But it is likely that the reason for prohibition goes beyond this. Transvestism (the practice of dressing in clothing of the opposite sex) has historically almost always been practiced by those who exemplified the characteristics of the opposite sex, and often these were homosexuals.[39] To wear the clothing of the opposite sex would immediately label you in the community, and God would have the Israelites avoid such a stigma, A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. (Proverbs 22:1). A good name is better than precious oil. (Ecclesiastes 7:1).

[39] Transvestism, with its accompanying evils (such as sodomy) is still a relatively common practice among several aboriginal tribes. Several American Indian groups formerly gave these men places of honor among their tribes!

By donning improper apparel, a woman might be known as an amazon or virago; a man might be thought effeminate. The distinction between the sexes is natural and established by God in their creation, and any neglect or violation of that distinction, even in externals, not only leads to impurity, but involves the infractions of the laws of God. (Lange).