What was the significance of the commands against mixing different things in Deuteronomy 22:9–11?

Answer

Deuteronomy 22:9–11 states, “Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled. Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together. Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.” These commands may seem peculiar to us and lead many individuals to question why God would establish such laws.

These instructions are part of a larger passage in Deuteronomy 22:9—23:18 that contains various directives related to the seventh commandment of avoiding adultery. The overarching theme is to maintain the separation of distinct elements. The fundamental focus of these specific commands is spiritual.

Each of the three commands pertains to two different types: 1) two kinds of seed, 2) two kinds of animals, and 3) two kinds of yarn. The directive was not to mix different seeds when planting, avoid plowing with different animals together, and refrain from intertwining different types of yarn.

There might be practical reasons behind these commands to preserve the distinction between these elements. Initially, the prohibition against mixing two types of seed resonates with Jesus’ parable about the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30). In the parable, an adversary sows weeds (likely darnel, a wheat-like weed) to spoil the harvest. The only way to safeguard the wheat was to wait until the harvest and separate it from the weeds. A farmer would not intentionally blend these two seed varieties.

Prohibiting the yoking of an ox and a donkey is more challenging to comprehend. Some interpreters view “yoking” as a reference to crossbreeding the two animals, as emphasized in Leviticus 19:19. This command could also serve as a measure to prevent animal cruelty: an ox is significantly stronger than a donkey, and yoking them together would cause unnecessary hardship.Quickly depleting a donkey’s strength. It is also important to note that the ox is a clean animal, while the donkey is unclean.

The prohibition against wearing clothing mixed of wool and linen is also challenging to understand. Some suggest that the focus is on dressing in clothing distinct from the pagan cultures that surrounded the Israelites.

Both spiritual and practical considerations were involved in these commands, as is often the case in the Mosaic Law. Even when the practical reasons are not fully clear, it is possible to find a spiritual purpose. God desires purity in His people, and there is to be no “mixture” between good and evil. “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15).