Faith & Reason Nexus

what the Bible actually says about tattoos and whether God is against them.

The key verse often cited is Leviticus 19:28, which will read in context starting from verse 26. It says: “Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it. Do not practice divination or seek omens. Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard. Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.”

Many argue this is definitive proof that God forbids tattoos. However, understanding the context is crucial. This verse was written thousands of years ago to a people in the ancient Near East, a vastly different culture from ours. The book of Leviticus, where this verse is found, focuses on the sacrificial system, which is no longer applicable today.

Leviticus 19 is about holiness. God wanted the Israelites to be distinct from the surrounding pagan nations, which engaged in practices like cutting themselves and getting tattoos as part of demonic rituals. Thus, tattoos then were associated with these unholy practices.

Given this historical context, the prohibition on tattoos in Leviticus 19:28 is not a timeless command like “Thou shalt not kill.” Instead, it was specific to that time and culture. Tattoos today do not carry the same connotations as they did back then.

In modern times, while God still calls His people to be holy and set apart, tattoos themselves are not inherently sinful. The key is ensuring that any tattoos we get do not dishonor God or symbolize sinful behavior. It’s also wise to consider that tattoos are permanent, so choose designs you won’t regret.

To sum up, Leviticus 19:28 does not apply to us today in the same way it did to the Israelites. Christians can get tattoos, but they should avoid designs that are ungodly or offensive.