What Does the Bible Say About Tattoos? – [2021 Information Guide]
Many religious historians argue Leviticus 19:28 is more pointedly directed at issues facing the ancient Hebrews than any broad generalization about body art. “Marking” or “coloring” one’s body was most likely a practice used by other groups in the regions. Given the tribal, warlike nature of many peoples in this time period, these dogmatic distinctions would be used to ensure differentiation between tribes.
When taking this historical view, another inconstancy arises in the form of translations. The term “tattoo” didn’t enter the lexicon until the 18th century. Tattoo is a bastardization of the Polynesian word tatau, brought to England by the correspondence of Captain James Cook and the ink on the bodies of his sailors. While this may seem like semantics, it points out the incongruence of, not only the language used in different printed versions of the Bible, but also the recent discovery of the practice of tattooing in the West.
Old Testament vs. New Testament
This historical framework is also useful when examining the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Without going into a theology lesson, the Old Testament was the book of the Jewish people and was the source of the ceremonial law that informed all the actions and procedures dictated to them from God. The New Testament is the story of Jesus, essentially creating a fresh start for Christians that wipes away much of the dogmatic practices of the past.
As Christian writer Matt Fradd states regarding Leviticus 19:28:
“…this verse is not binding upon Christians for the same reason that the verse “nor shall there come upon you a garment of cloth made of two kinds of stuff (Lev. 19:19)” is not binding upon Christians. Namely, it is a part of the ceremonial law that was binding upon the Jewish people but not binding upon Christians (except for when it coincides with the moral law). “
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