Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 19:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 19:19
"Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee."

As I was reading this chapter I tried to understand the reasoning behind these statues. I didn't understand not mingling linen and wool in a garment. This is what I decided to research. I found the mixing of linen and wool is called linsey-woolsey. I remember lots of books describing people wearing linsey-woolsey outfits. It combines the breeziness of linen and the warmth of wool. Sounds like a nice combination, if not scratchy. In Hebrew the cloth is known as Shatnez.

"According to modern biblical scholars (and Josephus), the rules against these mixtures are survivals of the clothing of the ancient Jewish temple and that these mixtures were considered to be holy and/or were forfeited to a sanctuary. It may also be observed that linen is a product of a riverine agricultural economy, such as that of the Nile Valley, while wool is a product of a desert, pastoral economy, such as that of the Hebrew tribes. Mixing the two together symbolically mixes Egypt and the Hebrews. It also violates a more general aversion to the mixing of categories found in the Leviticus holiness code."
(Wikipedia, Shatnez)

I also learned.

The Bible frequently mentions linen, often associating it with purity, righteousness, and even royalty. It was used in various contexts, including the construction of the Tabernacle and Temple, priestly garments, and even burial cloths. Additionally, there's a prohibition against mixing linen and wool in clothing. While the exact reason for this prohibition is debated, some interpretations suggest it was meant to differentiate the Israelites from other cultures, or that it had symbolic meaning related to purity and separation. Notably, the priests were permitted to wear linen and wool together in certain garments, such as the ephod. 

There is no law now against wearing clothing made of linen and wool. We've also bred cattle and seeds for better traits and production. It seems in the Old Testament they were trying to preserve purity the most. These were all outward symbols for them. Much was symbolic. It would make sense that clothing could represent things having no meaning or purpose today. I wouldn't look at linsey-woolsey pants as a symbol of Egypt and Hebrews mixing together. Nor would I see it in the temple clothing today.

Day 3782