Most people think they know the Bible, but there are actually many rules they’re not aware of, and here are some of the strangest ones in Scripture.
Along the roadside
Deuteronomy 22:6-7 is rather specific about what you’re supposed to do if you come across a bird’s nest while you’re on a walk.
It doesn’t matter whether the nest is in a tree or on the ground. Apparently, you’re allowed to take the eggs or chicks, but not the mother bird, as the Bible quite clearly separates the adult from the baby.
Such a rule only applies to birds, though. It’s not something that you’re able to take as a rule for animal welfare more generally, so make sure you keep an eye on any nests that you might come across.
A strange pairing
Another strange rule in Deuteronomy comes in 22:10, where it says you shouldn’t plow an ox and a donkey together.
There’s no mention of why or any comparison with other animals. It seems that these two animals are simply not allowed to work together, despite the Bible not warning about mixing other animals in the same way.
Such a warning comes across as though it were something added in rather quickly because it appears so briefly in the Bible. However, it comes alongside other detailed instructions about fields and daily work, so it appears it’s a serious rule.
If it happened before
There’s yet another rule about oxen in Exodus 21:28-32, but this time, it’s about whether the animal kills someone.
You’re supposed to stone an ox that kills someone and avoid eating its meat. However, if that ox showed aggressive behavior before and you were warned about it, the responsibility falls on you.
The Bible says you may be sentenced to death, should such an incident happen. The only way of getting out is by paying a set ransom. What makes matters worse is the fact that the passage says the law applies to both adults and children, so it seems to be a rather fixed rule.Â
In the weave
There are quite a few mentions in the Bible about what you shouldn’t wear, and that includes the fabrics your clothes are made from.
Leviticus 19:19 warns against mixing materials generally, while Deuteronomy 22:11 specifically states that believers shouldn’t wear any garments made from wool and linen mixed together.
It appears that patterns and style are nowhere near as important as what the fabric is actually made from. There’s not even any room for interpretation, either, as the wording is quite specific on the kinds of fabric you mustn’t wear.
At the corners
That’s not all for clothes. Rather than instructing people on what clothes to avoid, Numbers 15:38-40 says that Israelites should add tassels to the corners of their clothes, and each tassel should include a blue cord. Yes, really.
Deuteronomy 22:12 repeats that idea, although you’ll find the specific details about colors in Numbers.
The Bible makes it clear that believers should treat these tassels as a regular part of their clothing, rather than some kind of special attire for an event. You’re supposed to have tassels fixed at the edges of your everyday outfit.
Not even the skins
A lot of people don’t realize how detailed the Nazirite vow about grapes in Numbers 6 actually is, and the rules include more than mere wine. Verses 6:3-4 include wine, strong drink, vinegar, grape juice, grapes, and raisins as things to be avoided.
In fact, there’s even a line that says you shouldn’t eat anything from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins.
The vow is part of a commitment for Israelites who want to devote themselves to God. They’re supposed to avoid all of the above, as well as refrain from cutting their hair or coming into contact with corpses.
Kept outside the assembly
You might be surprised to learn exactly who’s barred from entering the Assembly of the Lord.
Aside from some of the more obvious characters, Deuteronomy 23:1 also specifies that a man with crushed testicles or any kind of severed organ may also not enter the Assembly, and there’s very little explanation as to why.
While different translations phrase the injury slightly differently, the restriction itself is the same in practically all versions of the Bible. Other barred individuals include those who were born illegitimately or from forbidden relationships.
Close, but not that close
That’s not all for physical conditions. Leviticus 21:17-23 states that men suffering from blindness, lameness, physical deformities, eye defects, or damaged limbs are barred from going near the altar, although they’re still allowed to eat the holy food.
But they’re banned from approaching the altar or going near the curtain to present their offerings.
They’re not removed from the priestly family. Instead, they’re limited in terms of where they’re allowed to go and what they’re allowed to do within the church setting, despite the fact that these rules may seem rather unfair.
In the kitchen
Some biblical rules appear more than once, and that’s why they’re harder to ignore.
Exodus 23:19 states that you mustn’t cook a young goat in its mother’s milk, which is weird enough of a rule. But that rule appears again in Exodus 34:26 and also in Deuteronomy 14:21, for whatever reason.
After all, it’s not like the Bible tells you to avoid mixing meat and dairy. It seems that the issue instead comes from mixing one animal at one stage of its life with a very specific source of milk, although we can’t imagine why anyone would want to do that anyway.
On her head
A woman who doesn’t cover her head is in a lot of trouble according to 1 Corinthians 11:6. She should apparently have her hair cut off. Later, though, the same section says that a woman should cover her head if it feels disgraceful to cut off her locks, and it’s quite clear in its instruction.
There’s no softening of words or attempts to give more clarity about the rules. No, simply put, you have to cover your head as a woman or be prepared to lose the hair on your head, apparently.Â
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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