Tatoos a Sin?

I believe that in the Old Testament that getting a tattoo was an association to a pagan cult and because of that, the tattoos were glorifying false gods and not the one true God. When looking at scripture, we need to look into the history of what was happening and why.

Did those who say it's wrong happen to read the verse before it? It says:

27 You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard.

Any of those anti tattoo folks have issues with shaving?

There are a few things to think about with OT laws. Some are for health reasons, some are ceremonial and sacrificial, some were moral and some where to separate te Jews from the Gentiles.

I look at it like this. If it is a law stated in the New Covenant, then it is in effect. If God calls something an abomination or abhorrent, it still is as God does not change.

I don't see this law as either of those. I believe it to have been a prohibition against what the pagans did as part of their worship. This would help to keep Israel separate as well, which is a very important aspect of redemptive history. Since keeping believers that separate is no longer an issue and tattoos have a completely non religious aspect today they never had before, I do not see this law as being in effect.

Now what you tattoo on yourself is another matter...

Some quote from the O.T. but I am not sure that verse really has to do with today .. what are your convictions? What is the Lord leading you to do?

There are two parts to that verse. The cutting was like people cut today, or during the Middle Ages but for religious purposes and possibly mourning or penance. The word "tattoo" was vague, but seemed to be an inscription, probably related to deities.
'You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo * marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.Isa 44:5; Re 13:17; 14:1

It would be worth looking up what the Egyptian culture did with tattoos, because that's they culture people lived in before Moses and God gave those instructions.

One thing that I think is so interesting and funny is that many believers think tattoos are wrong yet they have pierced ears or someone in their family does.

What is definitely wrong is the disdain some believers hold against those with tattoos.

tattoo does not make someone less in the eye of the Lord.
It's only the outside appearance.

Now with that being said, would I get one? probably not, cause i think it's ugly (sorry).
If i want to have a cool drawing, i would love to hang it on my wall.


The sad part of this is the fact that people have time to worry about this minor things, while there are more urgent matters that should be addressed.

Whenever you read the bible, remember to read the paragraph before and try to understand the culture at that time. and understand the real reason behind all that rules.

tturt said:

One thing that I think is so interesting and funny is that many believers think tattoos are wrong yet they have pierced ears or someone in their family does.

What is definitely wrong is the disdain some believers hold against those with tattoos.

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I wanted to do a little "quote for truth" because of the last thing said here. I many times in the past didn't want to attend any church services because of the dirty looks I was given. Thankfully I now go to a church that is very open-minded when it comes to things like tattoos, piercings, and oddly colored hair . I don't hold it against someone if they don't have tattoos, and I also don't think it to be very Christ-like (which is what we are all striving for, right?) to judge others because they do have them.

Just thought I'd throw this in...

Revelation 19:16 (English Standard Version)

16On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

I heard Mark Driscoll preach on this passage and he mentioned that Jesus has a tattoo on His thigh. And the text does say it's written on His thigh. While I am sure it's not the kind of tatoo we know, I am also sure it's not merely ballpoint pen here. Something to ponder.

I have a tatoo of a beautiful cross on my arm.

Tatto in the OT is idolatrous practices- dedication to idols.God did'nt allow the Hebrews to follow the same.Deut. 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind which Jesus said the same Matt22:37-40 also Deut 10:12-22 We love God we glorify Him in our body and in our spirit, 1 Cor 6:19-20 Eph 2:19-22..we are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit God bless you

dead2self said:

Just thought I'd throw this in...

Revelation 19:16 (English Standard Version)

16On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

I heard Mark Driscoll preach on this passage and he mentioned that Jesus has a tattoo on His thigh. And the text does say it's written on His thigh. While I am sure it's not the kind of tatoo we know, I am also sure it's not merely ballpoint pen here. Something to ponder.

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Very true and to be honest I would love to see it! I bet it looks amazing if it is on Christs holy body or form or whatever lol.

But I do think it has to do with what you are permanently tattooing on your body.

And the text does say it's written on His thigh.

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Weird! It's not "inscribed," though... just written.
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]
Transliterated Word[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]Phonetic Spelling[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]Grapho[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]graf'-o[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]Parts of Speech[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]TDNT[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]Verb[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]1:742,128[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]Definition[/FONT]

1. [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]
   [*] to write, with reference to the form of the letters
   
   1. to delineate (or form) letters on a tablet, parchment, paper, or other material
   
   [*] to write, with reference to the contents of the writing
   
   1. to express in written characters
   2. to commit to writing (things not to be forgotten), write down, record
   3. used of those things which stand written in the sacred books (of the OT)
   4. to write to one, i.e. by writing (in a written epistle) to give information, directions
   
   [*] to fill with writing[/FONT]

hi all.
When this "usage of word" dilemma come up, I always go and check the closest source of bible (which is the greek language).

Here is according to textus receptus (pardon my poor attempt in roman transliteration):

Rev 19: 16
και εχει επι το ιματιον και επι τον μηρον αυτου το ονομα αυτου ονομα γεγραμμενον βασιλευς βασιλεων και κυριος κυριων

kai ecei epi to imation kai epi ton merhn autou to onoma autou onoma gegrammenon Basileuv basilewn kai kuriov kuriwn.

and he has on the clothes and on the thigh of Him name having been inscribed. King of kings and master of masters.

Gegrammenon root is grafou. It does mean "to write".
but the gegrammenon itself (as the case being used in this verse) is more accurately presented in english as "Inscribed." or perhaps "engrave."

Any thoughts?

favoredbyGod said:

This past Sunday at church in Sunday school, we were having the discussion about tattoos being a sin.

In the old testament in Leviticus 19:28 it says " Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourself. I am the Lord."

- this scripture was the basis for our sunday school discussion. Some said that was in the "old law" since it was in the Old Testament before Jesus had come and others said that it is wrong and it is still a sin.

I was just curious as to your viewpoint on this topic.

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I personbally see nothing wrong with them although as far as I'm concerned i will never get one. heck it took me three years to dye my hair which is only temporary for a short time! I'd never end up deciding to get one and even if I did I would be dead before I chose the design!

If however you are wanting an answer then the best answer I can give is that you need to work this out for yourself. If you have any doubts about it then the bible instructs us that you should treat it as being wrong. Others have done a decent enough job of explaining part of my beliefs as to why I'm not against tattoos so I won't explain anymore. The main arguments you'll hear against it will be the passage in the NT where Jesus says he has not come to abolish the law and that not one letter of the law will pass away before he comes again. If you want a more comprehensive view of the against tattoos then send a pm to a guy called ironmanmatt as I know he thinks it is wrong. I exchanged a dozen private messages with him discussing the issue. I still disagree with him however.

favoredbyGod said:

Some said that was in the "old law" since it was in the Old Testament before Jesus had come and others said that it is wrong and it is still a sin.

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Well, it is in the Old Testament, and yes Jesus has come. So, each side has something correct, so far

Even if it is ok, still we need to do what God wants. So, in any case, pray and do what God has us doing.

There are people who can justify anything. So, it is important not to make something up and justify it. I guess any of us can do this.

So, I would be careful not to put something permanent on your body now while you are less mature. Be careful what commitments you make now, since our God and Father is going to do much more and better than what we can hope for now.

I would think a person can put a message on a shirt, and then later can wear another shirt with another message, perhaps. And in case one insists on a tattoo, I suppose you could use a stick-on which can be easily removed when it could be appropriate to remove it, or after you grow more and discover you don't want it.

And I would not want something on me, which my spouse would not care for.

And God is interested in how I am in my heart, not only with some gesture I might make by putting stuff on my body. The image of Jesus is what He is working on in us

"rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:4)

favoredbyGod said:

This past Sunday at church in Sunday school, we were having the discussion about tattoos being a sin.

In the old testament in Leviticus 19:28 it says " Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourself. I am the Lord."

- this scripture was the basis for our sunday school discussion. Some said that was in the "old law" since it was in the Old Testament before Jesus had come and others said that it is wrong and it is still a sin.

I was just curious as to your viewpoint on this topic.

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Tattoos scream look at me and my temporary feelings!!!

They Glorify the Self. No different than wearing clothing that Glorifies the self. Like drugs and potentially alcohol.

Sin? In one way the bible is silent on them within the NT.

But Not for me that is for sure. And not for minors whose parents are against it.

Peace and Blessings.