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Is it really a sin for women to wear pants?
We must understand that there is no grey area, this is either a sin or it is not a sin. We are going to weigh the argument against women wearing pants, and see how it compares with the Bible.
The basis for this argument rests on this one single verse. In Deu 22:5. The Bible says " 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." There is something called hermeneutics, which are rules of interpretation. These rules are designed to help insure that we don't twist the meaning of a verse to fit our own ideals. One of the rules is harmony of the scriptures. This is one of the problems with basing a doctrine off of one verse. How can we be sure we really understand what was meant. Another hermeneutic is historical context. Since we cant use the bible to interpret this verse we are forced to rely on history to find out what was going on at the time that verse was written. This is the reason why it is bad to base a doctrine on one verse. This is how doctrines like baptism for the dead are borne.
The argument to day is made that pants were made for men and not women. So women who wear pants are an abomination to the Lord. They back up their stands with statements like how do you tell which bathroom is for the men and women. Others have even claimed that it was against the law for women to wear pants until world war 2. I have even heard the phrase "I see who wears the pants in this family" as justification for this stand.
Scriptural evidence
Notice that the Bible does not specifically say what pertains to man or a woman. So lets find out what this verse means. The word pertain is used to show ownership or belonging to. Noah Webster says "To belong; to be the property, right or duty of." This is supported by the Bible in the following verses
Lev 7:20-21 " But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean thing, as the uncleanness of man, or any unclean beast, or any abominable unclean thing, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which pertain unto the LORD, even that soul shall be cut off from his people."
1Sa 25:22 "So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall."
Rom 15:17 "I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God."
1Co 6:3 "Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?"
2Pe 1:3 "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:"
So the question is. Are pants the exclusive property of men?
Breeches are the only word in the Bible that describe pants. Here are the only references
Exo 28:42 "And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:"
Exo 39:28 "And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,"
Lev 6:10 "And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh, and take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar"
Lev 16:4 "He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on."
Eze 44:18 "They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat."
We do not see any reference to people who were not priests wearing breeches. So breeches pertain to the priesthood, not to men or women. Look closely at how the bible describes them. they were on his flesh to cover his nakedness, the covered his loins. Yes we just described underwear.
Historical evidence
Lets take a look at what people wore back at the time this verse was written. The ancient Greeks wore tunics[1]. What made a man’s tunic different from a woman’s tunic was the length. The 6th century B.C. Egyptians wore loincloth and kilts. Again the women’s clothing was longer then the men’s. Exo 28:42-43. "And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute forever unto him and his seed after him." Breeches were priestly garb and were not part of the daily clothing and were used for service inside the temple. As such trousers were worn under the clothing and would not be visible. Wearing breeches was considered barbaric by most cultures until the middle of the 1st century, which allowed people to ride horseback comfortably. When the Jews fled from Egypt they would have left with the clothing of Egyptians.
Deu_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." addresses several issues that were rampant at the time. The Egyptians, Assyrians, and other nations practiced cross-dressing as part of their worship to their gods. Transvestitism was rampantly practiced by the world at that time . 1Ti_2:9 "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array." Also it would not have been modest for women to wear the shorter clothing of men. Historically men's and women's clothing was very similar (For the Jews and the rest of the world) the only differences being that women's clothing was traditionally longer and more decorative
Other things to consider
Lets see how Noah Webster defines these words
Bonnet: "A covering for the head, in common use before the introduction of hats. The word, as now used, signifies a cover for the head, worn by females, close at the sides, and projecting over the forehead."
Coat: "An upper garment, of whatever material it may be made. The word is, in modern times, generally applied to the garment worn by men next over the vest."
Shirt: "A loose garment of linen, cotton or other material, worn by men and boys next the body."
Skirt: "A woman's garment like a petticoat."
Vest: "In common speech, a man's under garment; a short garment covering the body, but without sleeves, worn under the coat; called also waistcoat."
Was God asking the Priests to commit an abomination?
Exo 28:40 "And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty."
Exo 29:9 "And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons."
Exo 39:28 "And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,"
Lev 8:13 "And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the LORD commanded Moses."
Isa 3:20 "The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,"
Eze 44:18 "They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat."
Or can you explain these men wearing skirts?
Deu 22:30 "A man shall not take his father's wife, nor discover his father's skirt."
Rth 3:9 "And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman."
1Sa 15:27 "And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent."
1Sa 24:11 "Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it."
So if the people holding to Deu_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." were to really take a stand on this doctrine. Our women would be walking around with out hats, pants, skirts, shirts, vests, or underwear. Personally I would like to see our ladies dressed more modestly then that. 1Ti 2:9 "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;" Cover the thigh, wear loose fit clothing, don't wear clothing or jewelry that draws the eyes where they don't belong. Why force our ladies to wear dresses and leave them as prey for voyeurs. consider the case of C'Debaca v. Commonwealth, 1999 Va. App. LEXIS 72 (Ct. of Appeals of Virginia 1999) Where a man used a spy camera to take pictures of women up their dresses. The court ruled that the woman wearing a dress in a public fair grounds had no expectation of privacy.
[1] http://library.thinkquest.org/26602/fashions.htm
[2] Changing gender and dress are very ancient behaviors. Early recorded incidents of cross-dressing include the 7th century BC Assyrian tablet showing King Assurbanipul getting into drag. Customs and rituals associated with cross-dressing are very much older. The priests of the ancient earth goddess Ishtar of Babylon dressed as women to appease the deity.
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