Does the Bible say anything about tattoos?

Question

Or body peircings?

Ok, I see that the scriptures that say "don't do it" are from the Old Testament, but I have been told that the Old Testament was to be taken with a grain of salt. I am confused.

Also I have had my piercings for some time now - but I am interested in the idea of a tattoo of my children's names.

Answer 1

Many have given you the scriptures, but what I feel you are really asking is that if you will go to hell for doing it. The simple answer is no. Although in the Livitical law it is forbidden, it is not a sin that will send you to hell. The Bible makes it very clear that the only thing that will send you to hell is rejecting Jesus Christ as your saviour. If you ask him to forgive your sins, and beocme your Lord, he will forgive you, and, even if you have tattoo's or body piercings, he will still love you, and accept you.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Does the Bible say anything about tattoos?
Or body peircings?

Answer 3

Yes, the Old Testament says you aren't allowed to tattoo your body.

"'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." - Lev 19:28

However I don't think it should bother you, if you were to follow the Old Testament word for word then you'd basically have to sit at home all day.

For example
"And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you." - Lev 11:7

So you can't eat pork, sausages, ham, bacon etc.

"The LORD said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites: 'A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred or go to the sanctuary until the days of her purification are over. If she gives birth to a daughter, for two weeks the woman will be unclean, as during her period. Then she must wait sixty-six days to be purified from her bleeding."
Lev 12:1-5

And there are so many more

Answer 4

The scriptural reference has been provided by others. That piece of scripture is directed at Jews, and therefore doesn't apply to non-Jews. Non-Jews achieve salvation by following the seven Noahide laws described in the Old Testament.

You have to decide whether Christianity is a form of Judaism or not, and whether the death of Christ meant that Judaic law could be ignored by Christians. As you are probably aware, you can use the Bible to argue either point.

The point is to keep your body pure - to not make personal choices that alter the body you were given. As the tradition developed, it included prohibitions on ear piercings, etc. My Jewish aunties have screw-on type.

The "Grain of Salt" you are encouraged to carry with you while you read the original scriptures is to understand the difference between DIRECTIVE and PARABLE. Directive is stuff like "Thou shalt not," etc. whereas a parable is a story where the moral lesson is illustrated as the consequences of an individual's choices.

Answer 5

Not if your Jewish. But because tattoos and piercings do nothing but enhance ego, vanity and selfishness it is not thought of as a good thing.

I was speaking to an Imam once, and asked him about homosexuality, importance of modesty, adultary etc. It is a sin because it just is, but the reason for it is the important part. The idea is to live a clean, spiritual life and not to vainly pursue things that are useless. There is nothing inherantly evil about these things, but it shows unhealthy spiritual practices. Much better off finding God than getting a tattoo

Answer 6

The pagan-God-worshippers in that century peirced their bodys and marked their flesh. The egiptians who were known for their rebellion and many-god worshipping did this also. Reading what other people have told you, yes it is an old book, and yes leviticus has some wierd laws that most people don't respect since the new testament. But hey, if you want to get a million pokes a second by a needle full if ink that's your choice. I don't see how not getting one will hurt you any.

Answer 7

Leveticus 19:28 / 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 / 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Answer 8

yes, but it also says "o not eat any meat with the blood still it" Lev 19.26a (Medium rare, any one?) "do not cut the hair at the sides of or head, or clip off the edges of your beard." Lev 9.27 ( NO shaving, fellas) "Do not wear clothing woven of two kids of material" Lev 19.19c (Polyester/cotton)

I could go on and on, make the choice for yourself. Not because a Book, while divinely inspired was written by PEOPLE told you to. Do what *your* God / heart tells you too.
There are many religious tattoos out there, if that's what you want

Answer 9

It prohibits devotional marks to 'false' gods. Leviticus does not contain a prohibition against body art.


...Leviticus also prohibits the eating of shellfish. It's just an old book written by superstitious ancient men.

Answer 10

If my body is my temple, I can decorate it however I choose. I have 2 tattoos and plan on one more. I have 4 piercings. My husband is a Jew and lets just say he agrees with me ;)