What does the Bible say about tattoos and body piercing?

What does the Bible say about tattoos and body piercing?	Print Page
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Q. What does the Bible say about tattoos and body piercing?

(Submitted by: Sherry)

A. The Bible certainly does have something to say about both of these very popular styles. In Leviticus 19:28 Moses dictated what God asked him to write. This chapter is addressed to the whole house of Israel. Many of us believe that this whole house of Israel is much larger than the few individuals who are living in or around Jerusalem in the modern state of Israel. God promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that their seed would be uncountable like the stars in the sky or the sand on the seashore so they are not a small population ever. We believe that the modern nations of Israel are composed of the western industrialized nations of the world with the USA and the UK as the leaders. So if this chapter was written today it would be addressed to all of these people not just the practicing Jews.

God first of all is Holy, Clean and Pure and he says that his people are to be the same: holy, clean and pure. Most of the instructions in this chapter are not just for the priests either but for all of the children of Israel. They are practical commandments such as not to eat meat that has been around for three days since it is abominable. That makes sense for health reasons. (verse 6 and 7) And when a farmer reaps his land he should leave some for the poor at its edges. (verses 9 and 10) Well that makes sense for economic reasons. Then it discusses some moral commandments like not putting a stumbling block before a blind man to watch him fall (verse 14) or to not steal or bear false witness. (verses 11 and 12) Then in verse 27 it talks about how a man should wear his hair with further explanation in Ezekiel 44:20. I would suggest that you read the whole chapter to get the context and better yet the whole book.

Then comes the commandment about tattoos. In Leviticus 19:28 :

"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD. " (NKJV)

These things were done as a means to worship false gods that did not really exist. God says he is a Jealous God in Exodus 20:5. We are not to practice the way of the heathen when we worship Him.(Deuteronomy 8:19) The Hindus' do some of these things to this day. There was a big celebration event I witnessed on TV just recently showing all kinds of body mutilations. I found this disgusting.

As far as body piercing goes, this practice is mentioned in two places as ear piercing. It refers to the commandment regarding a slave or servant who does not want to leave his master. The master gives him a wife and they have children who belong to the master and the man wants to stay with his family so a pierced ear shows his loyalty and indemnity for as long as he lives. Otherwise the law would stipulate that he could be freed at the end of a seven year indenture if he wished with payment. If he went free he would have to leave his wife and children in servitude until they were redeemed and that could mean quite a long time. But if he chose to stay with his family and with his master, he must have his ear pierced to identify him as unredeemable.(Exodus 21:6 and Deuteronomy 15:17) There might be a symbolic meaning here too.

In a prophecy in Isaiah 3:18-24 it shows that there will be nose jewels that will be removed when this disaster comes which indicates to me that they were affixed in some way as they are today by body piercing. This does not however mean that God approves of them. It just means that is what they wore along with other ornamentation. And it is because of our stubborn refusal to obey these simple reasonable commands of God that He will be so upset and permit these disasters to happen to the people of Israel until we do respect them and obey them willingly. None of us can do this without the help of God and that is why the Father sent his Son into this world to die like a man to pay for the sins we commit by our foolish disobedience. We owe him our lives. It is our choice to make whether to accept his sacrifice or not.

Answer Given By: Charlotte Grantham

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