What does the Bible say about tattoos and piercings?

Dear Katy,

Thank you for your question. This is Dean. Here are a few verses in the Bible that refer to tattoos and body piercings. Please keep in mind that they are treated separately for different reasons.

26 'You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor practice divination or soothsaying. 27 'You shall not round off the side-growth of your heads, nor harm the edges of your beard. 28 'You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead, nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD. Lev 19:26-28

5 "But if the slave plainly says, 'I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,' 6 then his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently. Ex 21:5-6

In today’s modern society, body piercings and tattoos are a fashion statement. Only they are not clothing which covers the body but rather modifications of the body. They can be viewed as cosmetic modification to the body such as: implants, plastic surgery and more.

Some of the questions that you may ask yourself are: What’s my reason for getting a tattoo? Are you trying to be like society? Do I want this image when I get older? What will others think (will I be unfairly judged)? Does your cosmetics honor the Lord in word and deed? Did Jesus have a tattoo and would he want a tattoo or body piercing?

Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. 1 Cor 3:16-17

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1 Cor 6:19

Remember, the believer is to be a peacemaker (Mt 5:9). Will your cosmetically altered body offend others in a social setting and prevent you from glorifying the Lord, or will your body be a positive influence in bringing about peace in a situation where there was chaos and iniquity? In other words, will you glorify the Lord?

Okay. Let’s take a look at what God states. In reference to tattoos, Leviticus plainly states that you shall not have a tattoo. However, with that said, many scholars view this statement in context of the surrounding verses, which deal with sorcery, cults, mystery religions, idol worship, and acts of sacrifice to those false religions. Therefore, many believe that this statement about tattoos is another form of displaying allegiance to a particular cultic religion.

In reference to piercings, the Bible speaks of piercings the ears of slaves when agreeing to serve their owner permanently. So it is basically a display of ownership, like a wedding band on your finger.

Now, as we discussed above, both tattoos and piercings are forms of bodily decorations in today’s culture, and most times not usually tied into any type of cultic worship. As with any art form or fashion statement, what does the tattoo say or the piercings stand for? What is the reason for getting the tattoo/piercing?

Many believers today have tattoos or piercings before they came to know Jesus. Other believers today get tattoos as a fashion icon statement stating that they are a believer in Christ Jesus. This is a very powerful statement for the Lord.

On the flip side, many believe that we (as believers) should stay away from anything that is cultic or may be perceived as idol worship as stated in Leviticus. Therefore, one should abstain from tattoos, piercings, and modifying the body that the Lord has given to you.

This is a personal question that only you can answer? Now the final question: are these tattoos and piercings a pleasing aroma to the Lord and do these decorations that adorn your body glorify your Father in Heaven?

I hope that I have answered your question. Peace and Blessings to you in Christ Jesus. Dean.