The short answer is…nothing. At least nothing definitive. The Bible makes no specific reference to tattoos as we understand them in modern times. Some Christians condemn all tattooing as immoral because God clearly forbids them in LeviticusBook of LeviticusThe Book of Leviticus is the third book of the Torah and of the Old Testament; scholars generally agree that it developed over a long period of time, reaching its present form during the Persian Period between 538-332 BCE.en.wikipedia.org19:28.

Why does the Bible forbid tattoos?

tattoos are sinful because it is about mutilation against the fifth commandment. Pope Pius XI condemned sterilization because it was a more general example sin the mutilation of our bodies.

What does the Bible say against tattoos?

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.

Is getting tattoos a sin against God?

Tattoos are sinful because they are bodily mutilations against the Fifth Commandment. God made man to be without sin and to be perfect in soul and body; tattoos are sins because they harm that perfection God intended. Our bodies belong to God, and tattoos are sins against God’s rights over our bodies.

Does the Bible say tattoos are sinful?

Tattoos are sinful because they are bodily mutilations against the Fifth Commandment. God made man to be without sin and to be perfect in soul and body; tattoos are sins because they harm that perfection God intended. Our bodies belong to God, and tattoos are sins against God’s rights over our bodies.

What is the message of a tattoo?

Message of the Tattoo – What is it about yourself that you want to communicate to the world? Tattoos are powerful messages, automatically conveying what you value. They are nearly permanent and will likely be with you for life. A growing experience with tattoos is what has officially been termed, “tattoo regret.” As you mature, you may, like increasing numbers of people, regret your tattoos because you have outgrown their messages and changed your values.

What does Leviticus 19:28 mean?

Leviticus 19:28 seems to imply this when it says, “you will not make cuttings in your flesh, for the dead, nor print marks on you.”. In light of this information from Egypt and Canaan, it would seem God was forbidding scarification, not tattooing as we know it.

How many people have tattoos?

Tattoos are more popular than ever. Currently one in five U.S. adults has at least one tattoo (21percent) which is up from the 16 percent and 14 percent who reported having a tattoo in 2003 and 2008, respectively, by the Harris Poll. Entertainers, professional athletes, and even a 2009 version of Barbie, have multiple, and very visible, tattoos. With such prevalence and rising interest, Christians rightfully ask what the Bible says about tattoos.

Why do women tattoo their bodies?

Evidence suggests that tattooing the body parts of women associated with fertility (breasts, thighs and abdomen) was believed to be a good luck charm to protect the birthing process. Women also frequently had imprints of the fertility goddess, Bes, which seems to support this theory.

Why do employers want to cover tattoos?

Many employers will restrict your tattoos, requiring you to cover them up because they are not socially acceptable from a business standpoint.

Does the Bible say that tattoos are immoral?

The Bible makes no specific reference to tattoos as we understand them in modern times. Some Christians condemn all tattooing as immoral because God clearly forbids them in Leviticus 19:28. Since the word tattoo does appear in this verse in some popular English translations, this argument seems straightforward.

When did tattoos come into existence?

Further, the word tattoo did not enter into the English language until the late 1700s. This is probably why the KJV, written in the early 1600s, is closer to the literal translation saying, “ye shall not… print marks upon you.”.

What Does the Bible Say About Tattoos?

Torah Scroll. What is said about tattoos in the Bible? Leviticus, the third book of the Hebrew Bible, prohibits them without giving an explicit reason. Why does the Bible prohibit tattoos? Photo: “Open Torah and Pointer” by Lawrie Cate is licensed under CC-by-SA-2.0.

Why did people tattoo their names on their foreheads?

Often the name of a slave’s owner would be tattooed or branded on his hand or forehead. If then the slave were to run away , he could be easily returned to his master. Thus, tattooing was seen as a sign of ownership.

What is the religion section of a bookstore?

The religion section of most bookstores includes an amazing array of Bibles. In our free eBook The Holy Bible: A Buyer’s Guide, prominent Biblical scholars Leonard Greenspoon and Harvey Minkoff expertly guide you through 21 different Bible translations (or versions) and address their content, text, style and religious orientation.

What is the prohibition on tattoos?

The prohibition on tattoos is related to the prohibition on desecrating the body. Two examples: 1. One cannot be buried in a Jewish cemetery if their body contains a tattoo; 2. A Jewish body is never embalmed nor cremated as these two acts also desecrate the body.

What does Isaiah 44:5 mean?

Isaiah 44:5 reads: This one will say, “I am the LORD’s,”. another will be called by the name of Jacob, yet another will write on the hand, “The LORD’s,”. and adopt the name of Israel. By writing God’s name on his hand, the Israelite in Isaiah 44:5 “was willingly proposing to become a servant of God.”.

How many articles are there in the Biblical Archaeology Society?

Dig into more than 9,000 articles in the Biblical Archaeology Society’s vast library plus much more with an All-Access pass.

Is tattooing a pagan practice?

Some have thought that because of the proximity of the taboo on tattoos to the prohibition of other pagan mourning practices in Leviticus, tattooing must have been a pagan mourning practice. However, we find no evidence of this in ancient texts from the Levant, Mesopotamia or Egypt. As far as we can tell, tattooing was not an ancient mourning practice in these cultures.

What Does This Mean? And Can Christians Get Tattoos?

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 the inner person.

What does the tattoo say about self-hatred?

Tattoos borne out of self-hatred are legacies of darkness rather than light. The Father wants His children to bear fruit, and a fruitful life is repentant. A fruitful heart looks to Him rather than reliving one’s sorrow, guilt, and shame over and over in the form of a visual reminder and a worldly identifier. “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Self-harm says “Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t enough. I am responsible for my own salvation.”

What is the meaning of tattoos?

Tattoos: Cuttings in Your Flesh. The worship of Baal has been dated to at least before the Exodus, making it contemporary with the time in which 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 …

Why was tattooing banned in Rome?

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.”.

Why do people get tattoos?

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 traditions such as slashing their bodies as a way to “mourn their dead.”.

Why do people have semicolons?

Many people wear a semicolon tattoo indicating they stand with survivors of suicide and people who suffer from mental health concerns. “No matter the type of brokenness — physical or mental — Christian identity is found not in a diagnosis, but instead in our position as redeemed children of God " ( Romans 8:16 –17).

What does Paul say about those who are asleep?

Paul wrote, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” ( 1 Thessalonians 4:13 ). Christians grieve for their dead, but they do not worship them.

Why are tattoos considered sin?

To say that tattoos are sinful because our bodies are God’s temple ignores the context of what 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 is written in.

How many people have a tattoo?

Currently 21% of people in the United States have at least one tattoo. And those between 18-29 are much more likely to have at least one tattoo, about 36% ( Tattoo Statistics ). Tattoos are certainly less taboo than in decades past and are more or less socially acceptable. However, among Christians there still remains a lot of debate.

What is Leviticus 19:19-32 about?

Specifically Leviticus 19:19-32 (where are verse is found) is dealing with common pagan practices of the Canaanites. Dr. Tom Constable addresses this section this way:

What is the problem with 1 Corinthians 6:19-20?

But the biggest problem with this argument is that it ignores the context of Paul’s words. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 is talking about sexual immorality. It has NOTHING to do with tattoos or anything of the sort. Paul is not asking the question, are tattoos sinful? Rather, he is warning Christians to flee from sexual immorality.

Why do we have to give up something?

Sometimes you have to give up something so that you can gain influence in someone’s life to help them see the change they need to make. That’s why Paul said, “I will become all things to all people so that I may win a few.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

How is holiness determined?

Our holiness is no longer determined by adherence to the Law, instead it’s determined by what Jesus has done for us. Those rules that used to determine our righteousness no longer hold weight against us. You can eat a bloody steak, get a haircut, and wear whatever clothes you want.

Is tattooing a sin in the Bible?

Many will simply point to Leviticus 19:28 and say that’s good enough for me. It’s in the Bible, therefore tattoos are a sin. As we have seen that completely ignores the context and fails to take into account what “cutting of the body” actually means.

Did Jesus Have A Tattoo?

In the New Testament, there is Revelation 19:16 that states that Jesus has something that resembles a tattoo, although not explicitly said:

Why do people get tattoos?

Additionally, some people often make tattoos to honor someone who died and carry the memory of them on their skin with ink.

How many testaments are there in the Bible?

The Holy Bible has two testaments, the Old and the New. The Old Testament refers mainly to the tales and rules associated with Moses and Judaism, while the new testament sheds light on Christianity and the uprising of Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to tattoo a pagan symbol?

For example, if you’re going to make a tattoo of a pagan symbol, you’re likely making a tattoo against Christianity, same if you are going to tattoo a sign that potentially hints at witchcraft or glorifying some other religion.

Why did the pagans practice rituals?

Perhaps, it was versed in a way that practicing such rituals would make people similar to that pride, and make them step away from the Law of Moses as it is, making their pagan believes more important than the religion.

Why do people cut their bodies after death?

According to the same site quoted above, this verse referred to the pagan culture practiced by the civilization in Canaan’s land, where people cut and inked their body after someone would die, to honor them and worship the memory of them. It was a way for those people to mourn their loved ones and express their grief for them.

Is tattooing your body a sin?

Christianity teaches us that stealing, disrespecting our loved ones and murdering is a sin, but tattooing your body doesn’t mean you’ve conducted any of the aforementioned sins.

What does the Bible say about tattoos?

As the popularity of tattoos continues to increase, many Christians wonder what the Bible has to say about tattoos. The short answer is nothing, at least nothing definitive. The Bible makes no specific reference to tattoos as we understand them in modern times. Some Christians condemn all tattooing as immoral because God clearly forbids them in Leviticus 19:28. Since the word tattoo does appear in this verse in some popular English translations, this argument seems straightforward. For example, the NIV reads, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.”

Why do Christians condemn tattoos?

Some Christians condemn all tattooing as immoral because God clearly forbids them in Leviticus 19:28. Since the word tattoo does appear in this verse in some popular English translations, this argument seems straightforward. For example, the NIV reads, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves.

Why do we appear before the judgment seat of Christ?

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:10

What does "flee from sexual immorality" mean?

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:18

Why did the Canaanites slash their bodies?

Archeology, backed by biblical texts, indicates the Canaanites would customarily slash their bodies for ritualistic purposes (1 Kings 18:28), especially to mourn their dead and honor their gods. Leviticus 19:28 seems to imply this when it says, “you will not make cuttings in your flesh, for the dead, nor print marks on you.”.

When was the KJV written?

This is probably why the KJV, written in the early 1600s, is closer to the literal translation saying, “ye shall not…print marks upon you.”. The background of this law was that Israel, after being rescued from slavery, was between Egypt and Canaan.

Can you cut yourself for the dead?

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord. ~ Leviticus 19:28

What does God forbid?

God forbids his holy people to engage in idolatrous, pagan worship and sorcery like those who do not follow Him. Look at the previous two verses. If getting a tattoo is a sin then so is eating non-kosher meats and getting haircuts.

Why does God forbid pagan worship?

God forbids his holy people to engage in idolatrous, pagan worship and sorcery which imitates the heathens. He does this out of protection, because he knows this will lead them away from the one true God. Observe the 2 verse before that verse: “You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it.

Is a tattoo permanent?

Remember, tattoos are permanent. If you regret your decision in the future the removal is possible but it is more expensive and more painful.

Is tattooing a controversial issue?

Since tattooing is a controversial issue, examine your motives before you make the decision . Here are questions (based partially on Romans 14).

Is tattooing a biblical matter?

Tattooing falls into the category of “disputable matters” where the Bible is not clear.

Do not interpret omens or tell fortunes?

You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes. (Leviticus 19:26-27) Certainly many Christians today eat non-kosher meats and get haircuts without participating in the forbidden worship of pagans. Back then these customs were associated with pagan rites and rituals. Today they are not.

Is the Bible about the unsaved?

This was a religious rite. Therefore, the Bible gives us the principle of not following the practices of those about us, i.e., the unsaved. However, Christians are not under the Law, but under grace; and it seems they can do what they want to do, including wearing tattoos and marking the body.