Tattoos have become a lot more socially acceptable in Western society over the past few decades. As such, it is quite common to meet Christians with tattoos. Indeed, many of my Christian students and some of my Christian friends have tattoos. However, just because Western culture has deemed something acceptable does not automatically mean that it is acceptable for Christians. Christians must go to the Bible to discern whether we should get tattoos.
The Bible does not forbid Christians from getting tattoos. Leviticus 19:28 is the only passage that mentions tattoos and it does not apply to Christians. As such, getting a tattoo is not a sin. Should Christians consider getting a tattoo, they should consider the type and the pitfalls.
Does Leviticus 19:28 Apply to Christians?
The only verse in the Bible that explicitly speaks toward getting tattoos is Leviticus 19:28:
“You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.”
LEVITICUS 19:28
This verse has been used by many to conclude that Christians should not get tattoos. After all, we have a clear command by the Lord. However, there are two issues that need to be addressed: what is meant by “tattoo” and does Leviticus 19:28 apply to Christians?
The Hebrew term for “tattoo” in Leviticus 19:28 is קַעֲקַע. The term קַעֲקַע is a hapax legomenon, meaning it is only used once in the Bible. This makes the term very difficult to translate. It is possible that it refers to a tattoo, but it is also possible that it refers to a decoration. Note what the Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (HALOT) says about קַעֲקַע:
“the exact meaning of קַעֲקַע is unknown; it could even be a simple decoration, in which case it would probably be used for warding off the spirits of the dead.”
HALOT, s.v. “קַעֲקַע”
Because of the difficulty of knowing exactly what קַעֲקַע means, that it might not refer to tattoos, we must be cautious about using Lev 19:28 to say that getting a tattoo is a sin.
Let us assume that קַעֲקַע does refer to tattoos. Should Christians obey Lev 19:28? Some pastors and scholars have suggested that the tattoos mentioned in Lev 19:28 are associated with idolatry and/or the occult. This is certainly what HALOT suggests as a possibility when it says, “it could even be a simple decoration, in which case it would probably be used for warding off the spirits of the dead” (HALOT, s.v. “קַעֲקַע,” emphasis added). Further, Leviticus 19:26–28 certainly references occult practices, such as eating/drinking blood, interpreting omens and telling fortunes, and cutting one’s body for the dead. Although there is nothing in the text that explicitly states tattoos are associated with idolatry or occult practices, one could presume that this is so from the surrounding verses.
Those who take the position that the prohibition against tattoos is associated with idolatry or the occult usually conclude that Christians may get tattoos as long as the tattoos are not associated with idolatry or the occult in any way. This is the cultural argument. The problem with this argument is that the explicit rationale in the text for not getting tattoos is not its association with idolatry or the occult, but because Yahweh is their God:
“I am Yahweh”
LEVITICUS 19:28
Is there another way to discern whether or not Leviticus 19:28 applies to Christians other than the cultural argument? Yes, there is! We need to first discern what place in salvation history Leviticus 19:28 refers. Leviticus 19:28 is part of the larger passage from Exodus 15:22–Leviticus 27:34 where Israel is at Mount Sinai making a covenant with Yahweh and receiving instructions on how to live as members of that covenant (the Sinai Covenant). If we narrow it down a little further, Leviticus 19:1–24:23 is about how the holiness of Yahweh is worked out in the lives of the people under the Sinai Covenant.
Second, we need to discern the modern Christian’s place in salvation history. For those who have repented of their sin and believe in Jesus, his atoning death and resurrection, we are not under the Sinai Covenant, but under the New Covenant (Luke 22:19–20; Heb 8:1–13). Because Christians are not under the Sinai Covenant (also called the Old Covenant), the Sinai Covenant laws and prohibitions do not apply to Christians. Only the laws, statutes, and prohibitions of the New Covenant apply to Christians. Thus, Leviticus 19:28 does not apply to Christians. For a more in depth treatment on applying the Bible, see my article “How to Apply the Bible to Your Life.”
Does the Bible Prohibit Christians from Getting Tattoos?
If Leviticus 19:28 does not apply to Christians, is there a passage or verse that does prohibit Christians from getting tattoos? No, there is no passage in the Bible that prohibits disciples of Jesus who are under the New Covenant, members of the church, and citizens of the Kingdom of God from getting a tattoo. Getting a tattoo is not a sin. Christians are allowed get tattoos if they desire.
Rationale for Not Getting a Tattoo
Although Christians may get tattoos, there is a rationale for not getting one that I would like to briefly touch upon to be considered by those contemplating getting their first tattoo or another tattoo. First, it may hinder your Christians witness or your Christian ministry. Tattoos have become increasingly accepted in the West, but that does not mean they are accepted everywhere in the world. There are many places and many peoples who associate tattoos with non-Christians, other religions, the occult, etc. Because you do not know where in the world the Lord may send you, your tattoo may hinder you from getting the ear of a non-Christian to tell about Jesus. This is especially true if the Lord calls you as a missionary or a pastor. Not only will many mission organizations not accept Christians with tattoos (or visible tattoos), but your tattoo may discredit your witness and you will be ineffective for Christ. Thus, I think it is best to not get a tattoo.
Second, you may not like your tattoo in a few years because your interests have changed, it has gone out of vogue, or because culture now deems it offensive (a real possibility in this vacillating culture of ours). Personally, I do not think it is worth the risk or the future hassle of removal/coverup to get a tattoo. Tattoos are somewhat permanent, so much care needs to be taken when getting one.
Rationale for Getting a Tattoo
To be fair, we must also consider a rationale for getting a tattoo, especially in light of it not being a sin for Christians. First, it must be noted that tattoos usually represent what you care about most or what is deeply meaningful to you.
Second, Paul says that everything we do should glorify God:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 CORINTHIANS 10:31, emphasis added
Because of the above two truths, if a Christian is to get a tattoo, he/she should get one that glorifies God and, thus, is Christian in nature. Further, the tattoo should be one that makes sense to onlookers if visible. Visible tattoos are seen by others and, thus, should make sense to the majority of onlookers.
Finally, tattoos can assist in the gospel witness to certain peoples. For example, if you socialize with heavily inked people, having a few tattoos yourself (or being heavily inked) may break down a few barriers by showing them that tattoos in and of themselves are not sinful. Granted, what the tattoo depicts or says may be sinful, and that should never be condoned. Of course, my limited experience with people who have tattoos has told me that they don’t really care if you’re inked or not.
Summary
The Bible does not forbid Christians from getting tattoos because it is not a sin. Leviticus 19:28 does not apply to Christians because the prohibition is for those under the Sinai Covenant, whereas Christians are under the New Covenant. However, tattoos may hinder a Christian’s gospel witness and may hinder a Christian from being accepted into a mission organization. If a Christian does get a tattoo, it should be one that glorifies God.