“You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. Now that's pretty clear. It cannot be denied that the Bible is one of the most remarkable books that exists and unlike any text that is written. So, this matter is disputable, and should be treated as a Romans 14 issue. The Bible makes no specific reference to tattoos as we understand them in modern times. Message of the Tattoo – What is it about yourself that you want to communicate to the world? What Does the Bible Say About Eternal Life? Since the word tattoo does appear in this verse in some popular English translations, this argument seems straightforward. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes. The short answer is...nothing. Are tattoos forbidden by God? There is a right choice for each individual. 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.”. Here is a self-exam based on the ideas put forth in Romans 14. This still is forbidden by God. However, in the New Testament we are even called to a higher law. Our own view is that the Bible has nothing specific to say to Christians on the permissibility of tattoos. Now protect it. We don't accuse them of participating in the forbidden practices of pagans. Mary Fairchild is a full-time Christian minister, writer, and editor of two Christian anthologies, including "Stories of Cavalry. If it is in rebellion to parents, it is clearly not acceptable (Ephesians 6:1-3). However, while it’s true that tattoos were forbidden under Levitical law, we must remember that these laws were given to the Nation of Israel, not the Body of Christ. They have no such associations today, so these passages don’t apply to us. These questions will help you decide whether or not getting a tattoo is a sin for you: Ultimately, the decision to get a tattoo is between you and God. Tattoos are permanent and clearly forbidden. Take some time to honestly answer these questions and then pray and trust God to show you what to do. Would God Make Me Marry Someone I'm Not Attracted To? (3) Since the New Testament does not address the issue of tattooing specifically, one must be guided by principle. tattooing. I would argue that what god ruled for the children of Israel in those long ago days are not rules for Christians. What does the Bible say about tattoos? Marketability – Will employers want to hire you? With this said, while there may be no clear passage in the Bible addressing tattoos, this is hardly a license for unrestrained tattooing. 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. Modesty – Modesty means not being self-promoting. (NLT). “Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. At least nothing definitive. Still, the important question remains: Is getting a tattoo a form of pagan, worldly worship forbidden by God today, or is it okay now for Christians to get tattoos? Some Christians quote Old Testament Scriptures to say that body piercings and tattoos are forbidden and use such verses as Leviticus 19:28 “You shall not … Tattoos forbidden? I’ve received a lot of questions from people asking what the Bible says about tattoos. With a simple reading of this verse, it appears that tattoos are clearly forbidden in the Bible. ", The Bible says in Leviticus 19:28, "Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. Am I seeking to glorify God or draw attention to myself? Discuss them with mature Christian adults you trust. We are to have Gods laws written in our hearts. If you go online to try to answer the tattoo question, you’ll see both approaches and contradictory conclusions. 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. Not at all. Over 40 Bible Verses About Tattoos Bible Verses For Tattoos. Leviticus 19:28 literally translates, “And a cutting for the dead you will not make in your flesh; and writing marks you will not make on you; I am the Lord.” The word writing refers to inscribed or engraved symbols/words, and is used only here. He commands against it out of protection and love, because he knows it will lead his people away from the one true God. Medical concerns – There are real health risks with tattoos. It’s true that the practice was forbidden in the Old Testament Law. Can we receive the “Mark” by force? Article Images Copyright ©. If so, the question likely falls into a category that Bible scholars have dubbed "disputable matters" based on Romans 14. We must ask ourselves how much we can modify our bodies to suit our desires while not disfiguring the beauty of the human form as God made it. As you grapple with the spiritual questions involved with getting a tattoo, remember to carefully weigh the health risks involved with getting a tattoo. In the Ne… The focus here is prohibiting worldly idol worship and witchcraft. . That seems pretty clear, right? The word “ qa aqa ” means literally “to cut” but taken with the surrounding words indicates a cutting that left a mark imprinted in the skin. Some people object to using Old Testament scripture as a reference to tattoos since the New Testament doesnt speak of these things. Tattoos are powerful messages, automatically conveying what you value. It depends on who you ask. They aren't referring to modern tattoos. Tattoos are more popular than ever. For a minor to get a tattoo in violation of his or her parents’ wishes is biblically unsupportable. Both of these approaches, however, are misleading because, as we will see, the answer to the tattoo question is that the Bible has nothing clearly to say about the practice of injecting ink under the skin to form permanent pictures, patterns or messages—a.k.a. Elaine Pomeransky Edinburgh February 19, 2020. in response to Chabad.org Staff: It's forbidden to cut yourself or mark yourself in honour of the dead. Any forms of fortune telling, consulting with mediums, spirits are all forbidden. Instead of asking, “Is it okay for a Christian to get a tattoo,” a better question might be, “Is it okay for me to get a tattoo?” Let’s tackle the biblical side of your question first. Some Christians condemn all tattooing as immoral because God clearly forbids them in Leviticus 19:28. We are responsible to God for how we use our money. Other Christians say this passage no longer applies to us because it is Old Testament law, and not for Christians. 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. This appears to be what the prophet is condemning, not the modern custom of “esthetic” tattooing – regardless of how distasteful such a practice may be to many people. Yes, they are forbidden. The Bible makes no specific reference to tattoos as we understand them in modern times. You've planned for your future. 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. Motive for a Tattoo– Why get a tattoo? The Mayo Clinic warns, “don’t take tattooing lightly”. I am the LORD. The surrounding verses reveal that forbidding tattoos is but one of many things associated with pagan peoples that the God of Israel prohibits such as making daughters into prostitutes, and turning to mediums and necromancers. It is hard to believe that anyone with a “tramp stamp” (a tattoo on the lower back) is really seeking to direct people’s thoughts toward God. 8) James M. Freeman, Manners & Customs of the Bible, Whitaker House, !996, p. 301-302. 15 Shocking Things Forbidden In The Bible That We Do Anyway. In defense of tattoos, we now understand that the image of God is a spiritual one conveyed as “salt and light.”. What Does the Bible Say About Paying Taxes? The word translated tattoo in our English Bibles is the Hebrew word “qa aqa”, this word appears only one time in the Bible, here in this passage Leviticus. Will my parents and family approve, and/or will my future spouse want me to have this tattoo? Women also frequently had imprints of the fertility goddess, Bes, which seems to support this theory. God forbids his holy people to engage in idolatrous worship and sorcery which imitates those who are ungodly. Tattoo parlors are not medical clinics, although they are puncturing skin and exposing blood. I read in some sorts of the Bible that it is forbidden ; any types of modifications to the body. Tattoos born of rebellion are sinful. Or Thug Life across your abdomen. In Canaan, evidence indicates that instead of marking the body with ink, more extreme scarification measures, like branding, slashing or gashing the skin were used. This means seeking to honor and draw attention to him, not ourselves. Only Voluntary, Permanent Tattooing is Forbidden Some Christians condemn all tattooing as immoral because God clearly forbids them in Leviticus 19:28. But maybe not. 7 Points to Consider First. “The origins of tattooing came from ancient magical practices. Getting a tattoo for purposes of witness may be acceptable, but remember, this is not the primary or most effective way to evangelize. "'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. Money – Is this the wisest use of money? ” Leviticus 19:26 ESV But, is it forbidden if it's just for decoration and not honouring another god/idolatry? The following are guiding questions to help you think through your decision. Will my tattoo cause someone who is weak in the faith to stumble? 6 | Polyester, or any other fabric blends. Leviticus 19:28 reads, “You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the Lord.” Not even a little butterfly on your ankle. ... What does the Bible say about tattoos / getting a tattoo? In matters where the Bible is unclear, we are better off judging ourselves only and leaving the judgment of others to God. Is God okay with Christians having tattoos? Don’t make this decision hastily or rashly. The verse in the Bible that most Christians make reference to is Leviticus 19:28, which says,"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." Since the word tattoo does appear in this verse in some popular English translations, this … 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. In ancient times, these customs were associated with pagan rites and rituals. Leviticus 19:28 You must not make any cuts in your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. Use these guiding questions to think through your decision. The Serpent and Forbidden Fruit Tattoo by Toni Donaire is a neo-traditional tattoo design based on the Bible story of Adam and Eve life in the Edem. All rights reserved. You are not fulfilling the Great Commission simply because you have a tattoo of a Bible verse. There is that verse in Leviticus that speaks against putting marks on your body. And throughout history, the tattoo has ALWAYS been condemned by Bible Believing Christians. They’ve resulted in severe allergic reactions, infections, unsightly scars, and blood-borne diseases like Hepatitis B and C. Tattooing deliberately opens skin and exposes your blood to unknown bacteria. What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness? 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. S temple ( 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ), because he knows it will lead you to think your! Do n't have freedom in Christ and many believers struggle, wondering if getting tattoo! 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