The Bible addresses tattoos explicitly only once, in Leviticus 19:28, where God prohibits the Israelites from marking their bodies. Most scholars interpret this command as targeting ancient pagan mourning rituals rather than modern decorative body art. The majority of Christian theologians view this Old Testament restriction as non-binding today, citing New Testament passages like Ephesians 2:14 and Colossians 2:14 that describe Christ’s fulfillment of Mosaic Law. Contemporary believers generally approach tattoos as matters of personal conscience, focusing on heart worship over external markings. The sections below explore the original context and modern application.
Key Takeaways
- Leviticus 19:28 prohibits tattoos, but scholars believe this targeted ancient pagan mourning rituals, not modern decorative body art.
- The Hebrew word translated as “tattoo” appears only once in Scripture, making its precise meaning somewhat uncertain.
- Most Christian theologians view Levitical ceremonial laws as non-binding today under the New Covenant established through Christ.
- The prohibition was part of physical purity laws distinguishing Israelites from surrounding cultures in the ancient world.
- Many Christians today consider tattoos a matter of personal conscience when separated from idolatrous or pagan contexts.
What Does Leviticus 19:28 Say About Tattoos?
The biblical prohibition against tattoos appears in a single verse within the book of Leviticus, part of the Torah’s ancient legal code for the Israelites.
Leviticus 19:28 states, “You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD,” according to the NRSV translation.
You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.
The Hebrew word translated as “tattoo” appears nowhere else in Hebrew Scripture, making its precise meaning somewhat uncertain.
The verse combines two distinct prohibitions in one sentence: cutting the body and marking the skin.
This commandment follows immediately after restrictions on haircuts and beard trimming in Leviticus 19:27, situating it within a broader set of physical purity laws that governed the Israelites’ outward appearance and distinguished them from surrounding cultures.
The use of Hebrew and nearby languages like Aramaic influence shaped how such terms were recorded and later translated.
Does the Old Testament Tattoo Ban Apply to Christians Today?
For most Christian theologians, the prohibition in Leviticus 19:28 does not carry binding authority over believers today, because the New Covenant established through Christ’s death fundamentally altered the relationship between God’s people and the Mosaic Law.
Ephesians 2:14 and Colossians 2:14 describe how the old legal system was set aside, while Romans 10:4 identifies Jesus as the culmination of that law. The same ceremonial code that prohibited tattoos also banned mixed fabrics and specific hairstyles, regulations believers no longer observe.
Scholars note that Leviticus 19:28 targeted pagan mourning rituals linking the living to the dead, not modern decorative body art. Without that idolatrous context, contemporary Christians approach tattoos as matters of personal conscience rather than divine command, focusing instead on heart worship over external markings.
The Catholic canon includes deuterocanonical books, which illustrates how biblical canons have historically varied.
