The Shocking Truth: Bible's Surprising Stance on Tattoos

Does the Bible really forbid tattoos? This Bible study on Leviticus 19:28 will help explain what this tricky verse really means in-context. As it turns out, we're actually missing some of the "backstory" on this Bible passage. In order to fully understand what it really means, we need to figure out what a tattoo was during Biblical times compared to modern tattoos. We'll also need to look at the context of the rest of this chapter for clues and see if anything else is going on that might affect the intended interpretation of the verse forbidding tattoos in Leviticus 19:28. Watch as we solve this mystery together!

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#biblestudy #bible

[breweryministries]

I've noticed this topic is very challenging so I'll add a few helpful verses and thoughts here.
I think it can be demonstrated that the laws of the Old Testament aren't as clearcut as they seem. For those who hold the view that we should be following all of these laws today as the people living during the Old Testament period did, here are some verses that hint that maybe that's not what God necessarily wants us to do today. Consider the laws that state we should stone people to death. There are many, but an example is Exodus 31:15 which says whoever works on the Sabbath shall be put to death. Then in Numbers 15:32-36, we see a man stoned to death for picking up sticks on the Sabbath. A person who holds the view that we need to follow all of the Old Testament laws strictly as written today would also have to adopt the laws about stoning people to death. This doesn't seem to be what God intends for a couple reasons; 1.) Jesus did not enforce this law. Instead, when a woman was caught in adultery, he said "Whoever is without sin cast the first stone." No one would throw a stone, so everyone left. A strict student of the law would have to say Jesus isn't obeying the law there, unless the point of the law was really to get at something much deeper. I would suggest this situation tells us that the laws require deeper thought and nuance before strictly applying them at face value. 2.) If we were to start strictly carrying out the Old Testament law today, how many of us haven't done at least a small chore on the Sabbath? Most, if not all of us, would be dead. I don't write this to say the laws are not important, but that we really need to study the context and see if maybe there's something deeper that God was trying to tell us rather than strictly applying a set of rules. The topic requires nuance and may not be as simple and black-and-white as it seems.

[lisamitchell]

Our bodies are to be treated as the Temple of God.

[shirleybrown]

It is amazing how desire influences justification. When YAH says don't do something we should in belief just not do it. Times change, people change, but the WORD of YAH never changes (period).

[ivandgr]

If you had a tattoo before you became a believer, well, you"ll have to live with it. But if you are a believer and didn't have one already, don't go and get one.

[michellemarini]

I've seen so many evil and dark tattoos glorifying death and darkness.
Definitely not glorifying God, surely not edifying or honoring the Creator!!!

[kennethjarvis]

The body is the LORD'S TIMPLE! KEEP THE BODY CLEAN !

[theresamortlock]

Found Christianity recently. I have lots of tattoos one arm has quite a dark theme the other light and pretty, wasn't intentional the dark and light a friend pointed it out, I looked and said wow you're right but thinking about it can you have one without the other? Anyway this has been a head battle ever since finding the Lord. Started to hate my tattoos wanted them gone, hiding them in church etc, prayed about it lots and a voice said 'it's OK the skin will crumple wither and die, I'm not interested in external decoration just keep your heart pure'. Don't think I would get another now mind lol and i probably wouldnt have felt the need if id come to the Lord earlier but thats how i feel now. Im so at peace i dont feel the need for anything else.But please don't think the Lord doesn't love you and that you won't be accepted because of 'external decorations' (as it was put) because you will be loved and accepted with open arms once you repent and find Jesus. Just come to him with your sins tattoos piercings whatever because he will forgive and lead you into making the right decisions from there on in

[au-]

Ive read through the Bible quite a few times in the last 40 years. Ive never came across anything in scripture that would compell me to get a tattoo. Neither has any other believer.
The Bible says to love not the world nor the things of the world. Christians with tattoos and pieces of metal in their faces are simply in lockstep with the ways of world. It doesnt mean they arent saved.

[larrydewein]

So you think Peter, James, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, etc. would have NO problem walking around with tattoos? I don't think so! Or you think that tattoos as worn by Pirates who robbed and killed (along with earrings!) or early foul mouthed and drunken sailors who sported them would be a good example to follow! I don't think so! But for those of you who have mind to do so, be my guest. Just not me!!

[breweryministries]

Boy, I sure hope nobody who isn't a Christian reads some of these comments... they might mistakenly think Jesus doesn't love them, and I can guarantee he would welcome them with open arms, tattoos and all. Keep in mind that people from all views read these comments. I'd hate to see anyone pushed further away from God based on comments they read here. Ok I've said my piece. For everyone else, I appreciate you all!

[djrst]

To have no tattoo is not a mistake, to have one can be a mistake.

[daltonjohnson]

Needles we used to cut our skin to make the ink soak. We are damaging ourselves just like spearing the ears.

[AperioNortheast]

If you have to go into great depth and take a lot of time to dispel something, it usually means you are wrong - as is this video. God made our bodies beautiful as they are. You dishonor Him with a tattoo as you are telling Him that a man made inking will make you more interesting or beautiful than HE can.

[Dnlsx]

I was taught not to EVER to get a tattoo. I told my children. And they told their children. We are clean!

[gary]

No self mutilation, that's an Abomination. These bodies God gave us are a sacred temple and should not be corrupted. If you don't agree take it up with Our Creator .
God Bless all your Brother's and Sister's in Christ out there.
✝️🙏🕊

[IHSisable]

you shall not get a tatoo to remember a dead thing - or to remind you of a sad time - god wants you to be happy, not remebering sad times every day you see yourself....there is a reason for forgetting some things

[lanastedman]

These are just 3 statements reported by medical professionals regarding risks associated with tattoos:
•As noted above, when you get a tattoo, the body's immune system immediately bolsters itself to fight off infection, but research has found that this happens not just at the “injured” tattoo site but throughout the entire body, and the response has shown to be cumulative.Apr 12, 2022
•Tiny ink particles can enter the bloodstream and lymphatic system, potentially even migrating to the liver. This in turn could potentially increase the risk of certain types of cancer. Getting a tattoo removed may not undo the damage.
•However, very low doses of the pigment-associated substances might be cleared by the intracellular acids of macrophages and could subsequently be transported to other organs. In animal studies, tattoo pigments have been found in the kidney, the liver, and the spleen.

[tonyarmstrong]

The Old testament and the New Testament never mentioned any believers having or getting tattooed. If you have them before becoming a believer is one thing, such as I do. Piercings and tattoos are NOT scriptural for believers.

[creativecatalyst]

Praise God I never got a tattoo nor body modifications...Beware the mutilators!!

[nunyabidness]

It's VERY bad to isolate a single verse out of the Bible. Also, when Jesus came, we were no longer bound by "the law". Not that it's an excuse to sin, but we're "not going to hell" because we got tattoos before we were saved. I kind of think of it as when Jesus said "it's not what goes in the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth". "it's not what's put on the body, or not, but what that body does for the glorification of God through Jesus Christ" -Me Your body is just a vessel. We will get a new, perfect one when Christ returns. It's what the vessel does, not the paint job it has. I used to be an atheist so unfortunately, i have tattoos, but does that mean I'm going to hell? Umm no. That sad the WHOLE POINT of Christ's sacrifice. It's a free gift that we certainly don't deserve, but I'm very grateful for, as I've lead a pretty sinful past life. Would i get anymore? Only if they were scripture and even then, I'd really have to pray for guidance on it. I believe in true repentance, which is not just confessing your sins, but also turning away from them for good, as best as humanly possible, because none of us humans are perfect, even though it seems some in the comments think they are. Lol