What Does The Bible Say About Tattoos?

What does the Bible say about tattoos? Is it ok for Christians to get a tattoo? Pastors Josh and Katie Walters explain what the Bible says about tattoos.

[@get_established]

God surely does not judge your outward appearance but your inner appearance and your walk with him... Your relationship with Christ Jesus is what matters and living your life accordingly to God's word.

[@nehemiahobongono8496]

Why is the word tattoo used directly in Leviticus? But not in the scripture you used in Revelations? Do you think that may have been a stretch to say the Lord has a name *tattooed* on His thigh? I’m not necessarily against or for tattoos I’m quite in the middle about it, like I want one but I’m also determined to know the truth about them according to the word of God

[@eleazarduenez777]

I highly doubt it’s a tattoo rather just there so John could’ve recognized oh that’s Jesus king of kings in the vision

[@crosbyllc5426]

Yeah He clearly contradicted himself about the part taking a scripture out of context or the true meaning... I'm not for or against tattoos, but if the Holy Spirit convicts you not to get one and you do, then it's a sin of disobedience... Because God deals with us individually... Some things that God convicts me of may not be a conviction to others and vice versa... And then there are things clearly written in scripture that we know we shouldn't be doing...

[@DrGreg007]

The word tattoo comes from Polynesian word "Tattau" and it means tap. They used to use a tapping technique for tattooing

[@con_boy]

Even tattooists think certain things curse you. Like if you ask for your partners name they will usually refuse as it's "bad luck"

[@joelperez5471]

I'm still a little confused. Wouldn't having your grandparent's names tatted be a sin? I'm genuinely curious.

[@saucetommy8369]

Their grandparents aren’t idols just family members, idols would be false gods or something that you put at more value than god himself

[@Meeshtarkeeko]

That’s what I was thinking. It says it directly in Leviticus

[@benzpajat]

It’s not a sin

[@jenny-DD]

Yes that's correct- they are sinning too But remember look at the demeanor- it's just to have fun - it's to believe your saved - not caring what the law actually says nor means

[@samuelshlomo1057]

Here is the scripture where it is found in the Torah. NKJ 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 (Lev. 19:28 NKJ) 1. Cuttings - ‎ In Hebrew שֶׂ֣רֶט (Lev. 19:28) pronounced Sa’ret. Meaning incision or scratch drawing of blood. Make gashes in oneself (a pagan mourning ritual) inflict a wound on oneself (KBL), injure oneself grievously, badly 2. Tattoo- In Hebrew ‎ קַֽעֲקַ֔ע (Lev. 19:28) pronounced ka’ahka. Meaning incision drawing blood, and imprintment.This word only occurs once in the whole of the Tanach (Old Testament), 3. Marks In Hebrew כּתֹ֫בֶת (Lev. 19:28) pronounced k’tovet. Meaning writing, inscription (mark or sign) When we read the Scriptures we switch our biased thoughts off. We enter reading the scriptures in neutral mode. We do not force our biased opinions and prejudice on the Scriptures. To change an error in our thinking is the hardest thing to do. But to live our life in a lie destroys you and negatively impacts and destroys other innocent people who interact with you. So choose life in Him and follow His way, not your way. If we cannot do the smallest things for Elohim (God) and our Mashiach (Messiah) how can you do the largest things for Him! The largest things are made up of the smallest things. So if you fail at the smallest things you will never be able to do the large things for Him. If you fail the First Commandment - which you shall Love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might/willpower you will never be able to keep the rest; and your understanding of His words become corrupted with arrogance and prideful understanding and not His. We must never place our will, our understanding, and our interpretation of the scriptures above YaHVaH Elohim (God) and our Mashiach( Messiah). Shalom Samuel

[@Wesside182]

Isn't that kind of judging the laws were changed by certain things if a person has tattoes and wasn't saved like me and is saved now isn't God's cup overflow with forgiveness read chapter 23 of Psalms

[@ranganaiernestvembo-zz1or]

God made us perfect and He said it was good

[@shumailasharoon7029]

Thanks for sharing this

[@hman9581]

The idol could be yourself...

[@raimiranda126]

True and in the last days men will be lovers of pleasure MORE than lovers of GOD

[@jamesdodson9417]

But are they not things of this world which we are to separate ourselves from being like and if the pagans were doing this why was the example still carried out to this day . Our bodies are fine the way they are as God created, is this signifying what he created wasn’t good enough. I guess this is where and why we have free will to make choices and create emotional decisions to fit our agendas to justify in our own eyes what is correct even is the Bible says different

[@kate3020]

That is your interpretation. But in all sense it is written well and clear that you shouldn't put any mark on your bodies. It is the dwelling place of the holy spirit. It is the house of the Lord.. if you encrypt any markings on your body, that's not going to make God glad about it. Obedience that is what we should do not when it is convenient for most people. In the end you can justify anything

[@justanorton2418]

If there is not a commandment for doing it, why would you want too? Why even tempt to walk through muddy water? If it’s not clear just abstain, but don’t judge others.

[@divanbester6864]

I agree, it does not feel right, even if I want a tattoo, it just does not feel right. It feels wrong.

[@jasonstrange3481]

Ok but there’s not a commandment for owning a car…. There’s not commandments for a lot of things so I don’t get your point

[@lalhmelthra817]

Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, Lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. Proverbs 30:5‭-‬6 KJV

[@PeterBornAgain]

*Leviticus 19:28* *You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.*

[@crystalafuadellah-gu941]

Thank you so much

[@Infuris1]

I have a “what doesn’t kill me now will make me wait for what will later” tattoo on my back that my ex got for me on my nineteenth birthday. I’d like to get it removed for reasons but I’m not able to at the moment.

[@jojohn103]

This man said...Lord says you shall not tattoo on your body for dead.. and seconds later he says he tattooed his grandparent's name? Wtf... Lord Said dont tatoo for whats dead.. which means you can tatoo something what's alive, or symbols but one should not place it above god

[@rebekahrcr4853]

Thank you I'm so glad that someone is level headed here. They are contradicting themselves

[@WRKDOUT]

Yes🙌🏽 thank you for this

[@EllisAnnabelleWalker]

I got a tattooed on my fingers saying love less at age 16 at age 32 it really doesn’t represent me and my inner self anymore. Would I be judged in the Christian community upon my appearance

[@SeacoastChurch]

You would not be judged in our community!

[@moneymikeg24]

You could update it to love, lessons, life or something like that. Cover it up with something more true to you now idk

[@roberth.5363]

​@@SeacoastChurchSorry but Christians are the most judgemental people I know. Holier than thou attitudes.

[@Diana-xm1dm]

Exodus 20:4 New King James Version 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image-any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth Marantha

[@nicolajane6264]

I had a spiritual tatoltoo that means of inner strength that God gives me.

[@augustinerynthathiang4838]

If tattoo is a sin What about ears GOD didn't make any holes on it but we spoils it by making holes and permanent marking

[@splashlang5817]

It says no carvings or cuttings, but not small holes. You can take out the earrings, and they will disappear on their own.

[@user-vw2dn4hr4x]

what if you have a tattoo representing god or depicting his will

[@CreatingWithTheCreator]

i really want a reminder one on my wrist or finger that says Gods greater than the highs and lows so i can always look down and remember it but i also dont want to do anything to harm my body like that

[@katricemcbean6475]

Same here

[@kokichikomaeda7274]

I’m just trying to represent my family and morals (by God) for me… because I need a visual reminder of what matters… I just need to know if it’s a sun because this is somewhat important

[@wedigermen2776]

Thank you I got the answer thank you Jesus

[@soshanglajajo1255]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

[@danebeexher4399]

What about a deceased loved one

[@RedbirdCountry]

Everybody wants to judge that scripture as for tattoos. What about surgeries , your marking and cutting the skin when you have surgeries.

[@wedigermen2776]

Thank you Jesus you answer my question

[@Dribbz07]

Trust in jesus❤❤

[@bm1998.]

God revealed to me himself that it’s wrong to get a tattoo. Also just read properly. It clearly states on his word….. 1.Do not make any cuts for the dead 2.OR tattoo yourselves. It doesn’t say it’s only as long as it not an idol🤦🏾‍♂️

[@svynx8043]

yes correct. but those were meant for levites in the old testament. when god is speaking there he is giving strict rules to the levites not us

[@PBerning]

My husband is a Bible scholar who works in the original languages. Here is the information on Leviticus 19: Leviticus 19:28 (NASB) says, "28 You shall not make any cuts in your [a] body for the [b] dead, nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the Lord." Footnotes: a) Leviticus 19:28 Lit flesh b) Leviticus 19:28 Lit soul The Septuagint is the OT in Greek, which Jesus and all the New Testament writers quoted. In the Septuagint, the word for "cuts" has the definitions of "incisions, gashes". The alternate word that the NASB notes for "dead" is soul. This is because in both Biblical Hebrew and Greek, the word used here actually describes Adam coming to life in Genesis 2, where it says Adam became a living soul. So even though the Old King James translated it as "dead," and some translations have followed this, it cannot properly be translated as "dead" for none of the words for dead in the original languages are used here. Therefore, it says specifically do NOT cut your flesh as part of your life. Other alternate words for it are "breath, life, spirit, soul, hear" The words "tattoo marks" come from two words. One meaning "that which is drawn" and the other meaning "punctured." This describes tattoos precisely from that time and in these times. They are images drawn and punctured INTO the skin. Tattoos: images drawn and punctured into the skin are forbidden. Cuts: Incision, gashes, into the skin/flesh are forbidden. The Bible says that the life is in the blood.

[@earlmartin2769]

I've got religious tattoos? I have a cross on my neck.. my ex wife's name on my arm which I use to remind me of poor decisions.. I've got different types of crosses as well.

[@jericolupanggo8199]

LEVITICUS 19:28

[@riyanaruka8058]

❤️

[@kullisearkullisear8043]

So I can put a somewhat cute mariachi skull man, as long as I don’t idolise it and know that Jesus is true it won’t be a problem.

[@balkee42]

I have a gross birthmark on my chest. I plan to tatoo over it. It causes me embarrassment

[@angelcalvillo8310]

That makes two of us

[@theamericanhandyman3213]

How hard is it don't do it then they changed it

[@dvegh97]

I am a Christian I have a almost completed sleeve three more sessions and I have a good size chest tattoo and I got my other arm tattoo I love getting tatted up I even audition to be In Ink magazine

[@UNDERWOODTRUTH]

No you shouldn't mark the skin

[@user-pz1of2mo2t]

🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾

[@ninadesilov1415]

Jesus will return with a tattoo on his thy cool Jesus broke his own commandment