What Does the Bible Say About Tattoos?
Are you thinking about getting a tattoo but you don’t want to be labeled a sinner? What does the bible actually say about tattoos?
Tattoos are becoming more and more popular with about 1 in 5 U.S. adults having at least one on their body. But it doesn’t mean that the controversy surrounding them has completely gone away. Many people who are against tattoos say that their dislike for them has to do with their religious beliefs. It makes sense for someone who is religious to act wisely before they ink and consider what the Bible has to say about tattoos before making that permanent decision. The Bible actually only explicitly mentions body modifications once and nothing about present day tattoos. Here is a further look into what the Bible says about tattoos.
Does the Bible say anything at all about tattoos?
First of all, the Bible is all about interpretation so you can take things literally word for word or you can find your own meaning which makes sense for you. If you take the Bible word for word, in Leviticus 19:28, its exact translation is: ”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.” Some modern-day versions of the Bible do have the word tattoo written in the translation and then it reads: “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.” That makes the argument against tattoos seem much stronger but since the word tattoo did not come into the English language until the 18th century, the literal translation of the Bible does not write tattoo at any point. That here is the only explicit mention of body modifications written in the Bible.
What does Leviticus 19:28 mean?
If after reading Leviticus 19:28 you still think that getting a tattoo is going against the Bible, think about it, modern day tattoo practices did not exist at the time of its writing. It would be impossible for the Bible to address anything about the modern-day concept of tattoos because it has evolved so much since the original body marking practices. There is not a single quote in the Bible stating that it is wrong to inject ink under the skin to create permanent images, designs, or writings otherwise known as: modern day tattoos. Some experts believe that Leviticus 19:28 was actually written in response to the very extreme body modifications that were used for sacrifices. The background on this is that Canaanites would mark their bodies using methods like branding, slashing, cutting, and otherwise mutilating their skin to especially honor their gods or mourn for their deaths. If you take that into consideration it would make sense that God was actually forbidding the worship of other gods and scarification, and not the tattoo practices as we know them today.
Is getting a tattoo a sin?
Some Christians believe that since the only possible mention of tattoos was written in the Old Testament the law no longer applies to Christians. There is no mention of body modifications or tattoos written in the New Testament at all. Since there is not an explicit command against the modern-day concept of tattoos, it would mean that it is not a sin to get one.
How do I get a Christian tattoo?
If you are Christian and you’ve made the decision to get a tattoo you might be wondering how to go about getting a tattoo that accurately represent your morals and beliefs. There may not be a clear passage that forbids tattoos if you are Christian, but it is still a good idea to keep the Bible in mind whenever you choose a tattoo as well as its placement on your body. It is clear that in the Bible, the body is in high regards because it is God’s handiwork. You should take this into consideration when choosing the piece of ink you will wear on your body for the rest of your life. You should also ask yourself why you are getting the tattoo. If it’s an act against your parents then that is clearly going against the word of the Bible, but if it is more of an artistic self-expressive reason, then that is more acceptable. Some Christians choose to get their favorite bible verse or religious symbol tattooed on their body to represent their belief. On the other hand, getting a tattoo of something that is symbolically going against your religion is obviously a big red flag. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says: “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” and 1 Corinthians 10:31 states: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Showing love and respect for God through your tattoo actually does exactly what these verses command. It is not necessary to get a religious tattoo at all but it is an opportunity for those who enjoy expressing their faith in this way. It is all about how you personally interpret God’s word, because no two people view it the exact same way.
What are the common Christian inspired tattoos?
Christian tattoos come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you want to express your love for God with a full back piece or by getting an easily hidden symbol on your ankle, we have some ideas for you. Many Christians love to get their favorite bible verse tattooed on them because it helps remembering your values and the importance of God’s word. There are also plenty of symbols that represent Christ such as a cross, doves, the Jesus fish, an angel, praying hands, or even a picture of Jesus himself. All of these visuals can be done as big or as small as you’d like. Simple outlines can be just as meaningful as a huge embellished piece. If you’d like to get a larger Christian tattoo, an idea could be to get your favorite Bible story like the last supper or when Jesus dies on the cross. You could also incorporate your interests alongside your religion. The ideas for your Christian tattoo are endless!
What are the most important things to have in mind when tattooing as a Christian?
At the end of the day the decision to get a tattoo should be your decision and only yours. If you find that it is not desirable to you or goes against your beliefs then by all means do not get one! There is no need to make a rash decision about a tattoo and it is okay to change your mind along the way. If you are still unsure then it is always a great idea to discuss it with other people who share similar values. Also, maybe more importantly, talk to God. The most important thing is that you are at peace with your choice on whether to get a tattoo or not.
