Deuteronomy 22:11 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 22:11 mean?

Deuteronomy 22:11 instructs the Israelites not to wear clothing made from a mix of wool and linen. This law is one of several in the Old Testament that set boundaries for daily life, marking out distinct practices for Israel as a people.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The command is part of a larger section of laws that cover various aspects of community life. The rule about not mixing wool and linen in garments is often understood as a way to keep certain boundaries clear, reflecting a broader theme in the law of separating different kinds of things.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 22:11

• "wear" (לָבַשׁ, lavash): This word means to put on or clothe oneself. The command is about what people actually wear, not just what is produced or owned.
• "sorts" (שַׁעַטְנֵז, shaatnez): This rare word refers to a mixed fabric, specifically a mixture of wool and linen. Its use here highlights the specific prohibition against blending these two materials.
• "woollen" (צֶמֶר, tzemer): This is the ordinary word for wool, the fiber from sheep.
• "linen" (פִּשְׁתִּים, pishtim): This word refers to linen, a fabric made from flax.
• "together" (יַחְדָּו, yachdav): This word means "together" or "combined," emphasizing that the issue is the combination of materials in a single garment.

Why Deuteronomy 22:11 matters

• Deuteronomy 22:11 is sometimes misunderstood as a general statement about clothing, but it specifically addresses mixing wool and linen, not all fabric blends.
• This verse fits into a larger pattern of laws in Deuteronomy that set Israel apart from surrounding nations, often through everyday practices.
• The focus on separation in clothing mirrors other laws about keeping things distinct, such as not mixing seeds in a field or animals in plowing, highlighting a theme of order and boundaries in Israelite life.