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Key Points: What Does the Bible Say About Tattoos? The most commonly cited biblical passage about tattoos is Leviticus 19:28, which states, "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord."
Oct 15, 2023 · What does the Bible say about tattoos? Leviticus 19:28 says, “You shall not make any gashes in your flesh for the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the LORD.” Although this passage clearly prohibits tattoos, it does not give an explicit reason why. This begs the question: Why does the Bible prohibit tattoos?
- Biblical References to Tattoos
- New Testament Perspective
- Tattoos: Cuttings in Your Flesh
- Tattoos: Physical and Mental Pain
- Tattoos: Legacy of Light Or Darkness
- Are Tattoos A Sin: For The Dead?
- Tattoos: Print Marks
- Tattoos: Beauty on The Body
- What Does This Mean? and Can Christians Get Tattoos?
The most direct reference to tattoos in the Bible is found in Leviticus 19:28, which states, "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord" (NIV). This verse is part of the HolinessCode given to the Israelites, outlining various laws and practices to distinguish them from neighboring pagan cultures. In the co...
The New Testament does not directly address the issue of tattoos. However, it emphasizes principles that can guide Christians in making decisions about body art. One key principle is in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, where Paul writes, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are ...
The worship of Baaldates back to at least before the Exodus, making it contemporary with the time when Moses was given the law. This Canaanite religion involved many rituals, including self-mutilation. One ancient verse describes ritual masochism: “She cuts cheek and chin/She lacerates Her forearms/She plows lake a garden Her chest/Like a vale She ...
People sometimes self-injure themselves for the same reasons they get tattoos: the pain is part of how they cope with difficulty or feel a sense of power for a short period of time. Trying to run one’s life without God is like that first rebellion in the Garden, but while “many are the plans in the mind of a man, [...] it is the purpose of the Lord...
Cutting and even some methods of tattooing are associated with punishment throughout the ages in many cultures, whether self-inflicted or as a means of torture by others. Inflicting pain — physical or emotional — on one’s self or on someone else is an outpouring of hatred and an exercise in control. Is the image or message a reminder of past guilt,...
A popular reason to get a tattoo is in order to honor a loved one who has died. God directed His people to disassociate themselves from Canaanite traditionssuch as slashing their bodies as a way to “mourn their dead.” What about designing beautiful markings in honor of loved ones who have passed on? In Luke 9:60, Jesus said to “leave the dead to bu...
The Hebrew for “imprint” is “qaaqa” which also means “tattoo” or “incision.” “In the Near East, tattoos were used to mark slaves.” If one wore a brand “on his hand or forehead,” he or she was quickly identified as someone’s property. Even seemingly innocuous marks represent worship. Consider the financial cost, the time commitment, and the pain one...
Early in the history of Christianity as it spread from Rome into the rest of the world, “tattooing was severely frowned upon.” In fact, “Pope Hadrian banned tattooing, stating that God made man’s body in his image and to deface it in any way was to deface God’s gift.” In defense of tattoos, we now understand that the image of God is a spiritual one...
For those whose bodies already bear the marks of a pre-Christian past, take comfort: they are still part of personal testimony. In conversation with others who sport tattoos, they provide a natural avenue to discussing the gospel and demonstrating that the important change has taken place inwardly, where Christ has exquisitely and tenderly marked t...
May 27, 2024 · The Bible references tattoos, including Leviticus 19:28, which reads, “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor imprint any marks upon you; I am the Lord.” These scriptures should cause us to pause and reflect on our relationship with God before making this decision.
Jan 4, 2022 · What message does the tattoo send, and will it aid or detract from representing Christ and sharing the gospel? Whatever does not come from faith is sin (Romans 14:23), so the person getting the tattoo should be fully convinced that it is God’s will for him or her.
The Bible does mention writing and marks on the body in Revelation 19:16 and Revelation 13:16, but it is unlikely that either of these Bible verses are about tattoos. The only verse that specifically mentions tattoos is Leviticus 19:28.
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Top Bible Verses about Tattoos. Leviticus 19:28 - You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
