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Tattoos have been around for millennia. People got them at least five thousand years ago. Today they’re common everywhere from Maori communities in New Zealand to office parks in Ohio. But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.”
Historically, scholars have often understood this as a warning against pagan practices of mourning. But language scholar John Huehnergard and ancient-Israel expert Harold Liebowitzargue that tattooing was understood differently in ancient times.
Huehnergard and Liebowitz note that the appearance of the ban on incisions—or tattoos—comes right after words clearly related to mourning, perhaps confirming the original theory. And yet, looking at what’s known about death rituals in ancient Mesopotamia, Syria, Israel, and Egypt, they find no references to marking the skin as a sign of mourning. They also note that there are other examples in Leviticus and Exodus where two halves of a verse address different issues. So that could be the case here, too.
What tattoos were apparently often used for in ancient Mesopotamia was marking enslaved people (and, in Egypt, as decorations for women of all social classes). Egyptian captives were branded with the name of a god, marking them as belongings of the priests or pharaoh. But devotees might also be branded with the name of the god they worshiped.
Huehnergard and Liebowitz suggest that, given the key role of the escape from Egyptian bondage in ancient Jewish law, the Torah originally banned tattooing because it was “the symbol of servitude.” Interestingly, though, they write that there’s one other apparent reference to tattooing in the Hebrew Bible. Isaiah 44:5 describes the children of Jacob committing themselves to God: “One shall say, ‘I am the LORD’s’… Another shall mark his arm ‘of the LORD.’” Here a tattoo appears to be allowable as a sign of submission, not to a human master but to God.
Ancient rabbinic debates produced a variety of different theories about the meaning of the prohibition on tattooing. Some authorities believed that tattoos were only disallowed if they had certain messages, such as the name of God, the phrase “I am the Lord,” or the name of a pagan deity. Talmudic law developed around 200 CE says that a tattoo is only disallowed if it is done “for the purpose of idolatry”—but not if it’s intended to mark a person’s enslaved status.
The meaning of the prohibition on tattooing may have shifted over time, of course. But in ancient times, it might never have been about mourning practices at all.
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Resources
JSTOR is a digital library for scholars, researchers, and students. JSTOR Daily readers can access the original research behind our articles for free on JSTOR.
By: John Huehnergard and Harold Liebowitz
Vetus Testamentum, Vol. 63, Fasc. 1 (2013), pp. 59-77
Brill
FAQs
But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.” Historically, scholars have often understood this as a warning against pagan practices of mourning.
Does the Bible say not to put tattoos on your body? ›
The Bible warns against tattoos in Leviticus 19:28 (Amplified) which says, “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord.” However, just because society approves of something does not make it right in the eyes of God.
What does the New Testament say about tattoos? ›
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. What are the common Christian inspired tattoos?
Who in the Bible had tattoos? ›
2 Chronicles 36:8 has led certain commentators throughout history to believe that Jehoiakim was actually tattooed. The famous 11th-century Jewish commentator Rashi (known for his pithy commentary on the Hebrew Bible), writes simply: “'Which was found on him': A tattooed writing.”
Are tattoos a sin in Christianity? ›
It depends on who you ask. There are some Christians who believe it is a sin. The verse in the Bible that most Christians make reference to is Leviticus 19:28, which says,"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." So, why is this verse in the Bible?
Are tattoos major sin? ›
Islamic View on Tattooing
According to the general Islamic perspective, tattooing is strictly prohibited, with the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) categorizing it as one of the major sins.
Is piercing a sin in the Bible? ›
Within the Christian community, there are debates around interpreting passages of the Bible to either allow or forbid body piercing. Some Christians who are against body piercing use the “Book of Leviticus” to support the view that body piercing is a sin, arguing that you “should never mark your body”.
In what religion are tattoos forbidden? ›
Tattoos have been used for thousands of years as important tools in ritual and tradition. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have been hostile to the use of tattoos, but many religions, in particular Buddhism and Hinduism, make extensive use of them. This article examines their use as tools for protection and devotion.
Can you not pray with a tattoo? ›
If a tattoo is located in a place that can be covered, it is recommended to keep it concealed during prayer as a sign of respect and modesty. This practice aligns with the broader Islamic principle of covering the body appropriately in acts of worship.
What does the Bible say about traditional tattoos? ›
The Biblical writers clearly condemned the practice of tattooing. Leviticus 19:28 prohibits cutting or marking the body. No reason is given in this verse, however, which probably means it was obvious to the ancient reader—but not to us.
While the Bible does not address tattooing for adornment purposes, it does say, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God,” 1 Corinthians 10:31. Tattoos are powerful permanent messages, and several of those messages don't line up with the Bible.
What does the Bible say about cremation? ›
But the Bible does not say a cremated body can't rise. In fact, the Vatican explicitly approved cremation in 1963 as a final disposition as long as the practice remains in line with the fundamental belief in the resurrection.
Does Jesus support tattoos? ›
A common answer you may have already heard (or possibly the first answer you'd get on Google) when asking what the Bible says about tattoos is a reference to Leviticus 19:28 from the Old Testament: “You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.”
Which disciple had tattoos? ›
Paul's body was marked (tattooed) against his will, He wrote in Galatians: “I bear in my body the marks of Jesus.” How did he get them?
Did early Christians get tattoos? ›
Almost at the same time, Christians who were not enslaved got tattoos of the early Christian signs such as fish or lambs in solidarity and to show that they identified with Jesus. There were no specific words in Latin or Greek for tattooing, so the words “stizo,” “signum” and “stigma” were used.
What does the Bible say about wearing black? ›
While the Bible does not directly address the choice of wearing black attire, several passages offer indirect insights into the principles of dress and appearance. By exploring these passages, we can glean a broader understanding of how such choices might align with or contrast against Biblical teachings.
Are tattoos a sin Catholic? ›
Paul makes it perfectly clear that the ceremonial law is no longer binding. I'll cut to the chase: There is nothing immoral about tattoos. Mother Church has never condemned them, and neither can I. It is one of those areas where a Catholic must follow his or her conscience.
