You're standing in the tattoo parlor, or maybe you're just scrolling through Pinterest looking at dainty cartilage hoops, and that one nagging Sunday school memory hits you. Is this actually allowed? For decades, the "Leviticus argument" has been tossed around like a theological grenade. But honestly, if you look at the history, the culture, and the actual Greek and Hebrew, the answer to what the Bible says about piercings and tattoos is way more nuanced than a simple "yes" or "no."
It’s complicated.
Most people point to Leviticus 19:28. You know the one. It says not to make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor print any marks upon you. Case closed, right? Well, not exactly. If we’re going to be honest about the text, we have to look at why that was written in the first place. Ancient Near Eastern cultures had some pretty intense rituals involving self-mutilation and marking the skin to honor pagan gods or mourn the deceased. The prohibition wasn't necessarily about aesthetics; it was about identity. God was essentially telling the Israelites, "Don't look like everyone else who is trying to conjure the dead."
Context matters. A lot.
The Leviticus 19:28 Debate
Let's dig into the big one. Leviticus 19:28 reads, "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord." If you take that at face value without looking at the surrounding verses, you might think God is anti-ink. But look at what’s happening in the rest of that chapter. It also says not to eat meat with blood in it, not to trim the edges of your beard, and not to wear clothes made of two different types of fabric.
Most modern Christians aren't checking their shirt tags for a polyester-cotton blend before they head out the door.
Scholars like Dr. Michael Heiser have often pointed out that these laws were "holiness codes" meant to set Israel apart from the Canaanites. The "marks" mentioned—the qa’aqa in Hebrew—specifically referred to incision-based branding or tattooing associated with mourning rites. It was a cultic practice. Basically, the ban was a safeguard against falling into the spiritual habits of neighboring tribes who used tattoos as a form of "protective magic" or to mark themselves as property of a specific deity.
What About Piercings?
When it comes to what the Bible says about piercings and tattoos, the "piercing" side of things is actually surprisingly positive in several spots. You won't find a "thou shalt not get a nose ring" commandment. In fact, you'll find the opposite.
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In the book of Genesis, when Abraham’s servant finds Rebekah as a bride for Isaac, what’s the first thing he does? He gives her a gold nose ring and bracelets. Check Genesis 24:22. If piercings were a sign of rebellion or sin, it’s highly unlikely the "father of the faith" would have his servant handing them out as engagement gifts.
Then there’s Ezekiel 16. This is a heavy chapter where God uses a metaphor of a husband and wife to describe his relationship with Jerusalem. In verse 12, God says, "And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head." God is literally using the act of piercing ears and nose as a symbol of beauty and favor.
It's kind of wild when you think about it. The same book that people use to condemn body art features God using body art imagery to show how much he loves his people.
The Earring as a Sign of Devotion
There’s also the "Bondservant" law in Exodus 21. If a servant loved their master and wanted to stay with them forever—essentially becoming a lifelong member of the household—the master would take an awl and pierce the servant's ear against a doorpost. This piercing was a permanent, visible mark of voluntary devotion and belonging.
The New Testament and "The Body as a Temple"
Since the New Testament doesn't explicitly mention tattoos or piercings, most people jump to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit... therefore honor God with your bodies."
This is usually where the "don't graffiti the temple" argument comes from.
But if we’re being intellectually honest, Paul wasn't writing about ink. He was writing about sexual immorality. The "temple" argument is often used to shame people for everything from eating a cheeseburger to getting a sleeve of tattoos, but the heart of the passage is about who owns you. It’s about stewardship.
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Does a tattoo dishonor the "temple"? That’s a question of intent.
If someone gets a tattoo that is hateful, dark, or intentionally mocks their faith, you could argue they aren't honoring the temple. But if a tattoo is a beautiful piece of art, a memorial to a loved one, or a scripture verse that sparks conversations about Jesus? That feels like a different category entirely.
The "Mark" of Jesus
One of the most fascinating (and often ignored) verses in this whole discussion is Galatians 6:17. Paul writes, "From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus."
The Greek word used there is stigmata. In the Roman world, stigmata were literal brands or tattoos used on soldiers or slaves to show who they belonged to. While most commentators think Paul was referring to his physical scars from being beaten for the gospel, the choice of the word is striking. He’s saying, "I am marked for Christ."
Whether he meant literal ink or metaphorical scars, the concept of being "marked" by one's faith is deeply biblical.
Cultural Taboos vs. Biblical Truths
We have to acknowledge that for a long time, the "no tattoos" rule in Western churches wasn't really about the Bible. It was about social class and cultural rebellion. In the mid-20th century, tattoos were for sailors, bikers, and convicts. They were "low class."
But the Bible doesn't care about your social class.
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In many Middle Eastern Christian traditions, like the Coptic Christians in Egypt, tattooing a small cross on the inside of the wrist has been a tradition for centuries. It was a way to identify themselves as followers of Christ in a region where that could get you killed. For them, the tattoo isn't a rebellion; it's a badge of courage.
How to Make a Decision
If you're wrestling with this, it usually isn't because you're looking for a legalistic rule. You're looking for peace. The Bible focuses more on the why than the what.
- Motivation: Why are you doing it? Is it an act of rebellion against your parents? Is it an impulse buy? Or is it something meaningful that you’ve prayed about?
- Conscience: Romans 14 is a great place to look. It talks about "disputable matters." If you feel like getting a tattoo would violate your own conscience or cause a massive rift in your family, it might be worth waiting.
- Permanence: The Bible is big on wisdom. Proverbs tells us to count the cost before we build. A tattoo is a permanent decision for a temporary feeling if you aren't careful.
Actionable Steps for the Undecided
Instead of just staring at the Leviticus verse, try these practical steps to figure out where you stand.
First, check the motive. Take a month. If you still want the design after 30 days, it’s probably not an impulse. If you’re getting it to "get back" at someone, stop. That’s not the heart God wants for you.
Second, consider the design. Does the imagery align with your values? There is a massive difference between a tattoo that celebrates life, faith, or family and one that celebrates death or darkness. If you’re a person of faith, ask yourself if the art reflects the "temple" you’re trying to build.
Third, talk to your community. If you’re part of a church or a family where this is a major "stumbling block," consider the relationship. Sometimes the love of a person is more important than the art on your arm.
Honestly, the Bible doesn't give us a black-and-white "no" for modern tattoos and piercings. It gives us a call to holiness, a call to check our hearts, and a reminder that we belong to God. Whether you have ink or not, that's the part that actually matters.