What does Bible say about Tattoos & Body Piercing?

Tattoos and piercing might seem like the latest fad that people enjoy in order to look fashionable but the truth is that these practices have been in existence for centuries. People in olden times underwent this procedure as a rite of passage but steadily times changed and the whole art underwent a transformation.

Tattoos and piercing might be a popular among the youth now but according to God, one should not be decorating their body with such stuff. So, if you are a devout Catholic, you would be saddened to know what the bible says about tattoos.

What does the Bible say about a tattoo? 

According to the Gospels, getting yourself inked is against the command of the God. Since He is pure, holy and devoid of any sin, He wants his followers to be like Him. Getting yourself inked or piercing the body destroys its sanctity and is not something any true believer should be doing. The passages that strictly condemn any such body art in the Bible are a sin.

Leviticus 19:28 says, “You shall not make any gashes in your flesh for the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the LORD. 

The Lord had addressed the whole house of Israel while making this proclamation and as the text says, it is completely forbidden to make any gashes, signs or tattoos on one's body. Though nowhere in the Bible it is explained as to why a person must not get any tattoos done but the emphasis on completely restricting such practices is immense.

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The other interpretation of this Biblical view is that before Christianity took over, pagan ways were being followed. The practitioners of the old ways went through many rituals to please their Gods and honor their dead but for a new religion to take over the old had to go. This is why their ways were termed blasphemous and were completely discarded. Measures were taken to make sure that these practices do not start off again. Also in Exodus 20:5, it is stated that God is a jealous God and He does not like his followers to worship or follow any other figure.

"And it shall be if you do at all forget the LORD your God and walk after other gods serving them and worshiping them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish - yes, perish (Deuteronomy 8:19) "

There is a continuous emphasis on God that He isn't going to take worshiping other figures lightly and one would surely perish if they praise any other God.

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"Peter 3:3–4: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornments, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. "

It's not just tattoos but even over-adoration of yourself with ornaments, good jewelry or fine clothes is frowned upon in the Bible. The reason for this could also be to avoid vanity and to not focus much on how someone looks physically but rather on how one is as a person. As well-meant as the words are one cannot but help think how regressive it would be to restrict someone from making such basic choices for themselves.

What Does Bible Say About Piercing? 

The rule on piercing is a bit more relaxed and a person is allowed to get themselves pierced on the ear as part of God's gift to Israel consisted of piercings.

" I also clothed you with embroidered work, and I shod you with leather sandals. And I wrapped you in fine linen, and I covered you with silk. 11. And I adorned you with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon your hands and a chain on your neck. 12. And I put a ring on your nose, and earrings in your ears . . . (Ezekiel 16:10 ) "

What do you think about Body piercings and tattoos? Drop in the comments on the same in the box below. We would love to hear from you!

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