What does the Bible say about pants?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible does not prescribe modern pants for all people, but it calls God’s people to modesty, holiness, and a faithful distinction between the sexes. Deuteronomy 22:5 forbids adopting the clothing of the opposite sex, reflecting God’s good created order, though its application requires wisdom across changing cultures. Exodus 28:42-43, Leviticus 6:10, Leviticus 16:4, and Ezekiel 44:17-18 show that priests wore linen undergarments for modesty and reverence in worship. Daniel 3:21 mentions trousers as ordinary Babylonian clothing. Christians should therefore avoid legalism about particular garments while dressing modestly, appropriately, and in ways that honor God and neighbor, as 1 Timothy 2:9 teaches.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Deuteronomy 22:5
A woman shall not wear men's clothing, neither shall a man put on women's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh your God.
- Exodus 28:42-43
[42] You shall make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness; from the loins even to the thighs they shall reach: [43] They shall be on Aaron, and on his sons, when they go in to the tent of meeting, or when they come near to the altar to minister in the holy place; that they don't bear iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute forever to him and to his descendants after him.
- Leviticus 6:10
The priest shall put on his linen garment, and he shall put on his linen breeches upon his body; and he shall remove the ashes from where the fire has consumed the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.
- Leviticus 16:4
He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and he shall be dressed with the linen turban. They are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water, and put them on.
- Daniel 3:21
Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles, and their [other] garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
- Ezekiel 44:17-18
[17] It shall be that, when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come on them, while they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within. [18] They shall have linen tires on their heads, and shall have linen breeches on their loins; they shall not gird themselves with [anything that causes] sweat.
- Exodus 28:42
You shall make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness; from the loins even to the thighs they shall reach:
- 1 Timothy 2:9
In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;
- Matthew 3:4
Now John himself wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
- Exodus 39:28
and the turban of fine linen, and the linen headbands of fine linen, and the linen breeches of fine twined linen,
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about pants and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about pants