Does the Old Testament Condemn Tattoos?

We must be very careful about trying to use Old Testament passages as proof-texts for what we may or may not practice in the Christian age.

It is a fundamental aspect of Bible doctrine that the Mosaic system was abrogated by the death of Christ (Ephesians 2:14ff; Colossians 2:14ff). The law of Moses, therefore, is not the Christian's standard by which to measure conduct.

The following observations are in order:

First, this same chapter (Leviticus 19) also provides instruction for appropriate conduct in conjunction with offering animal sacrifices. It requires leaving certain portions of one's crops unharvested in the interest of the poor. The sowing of two types of seed in the same field is prohibited. The Hebrews were not to wear a garment with two different fabrics combined, such as wool and linen. When new fruit trees were planted, none of the fruit was to be eaten for the first three years. There are restrictions about how the man's hair was to be cut, and the manner in which his beard might not be trimmed. Keeping the Sabbath is enjoined and many other laws related to the Mosaic code.

Why should we focus on one of these injunctions to the exclusion of the others?

Next, the immediate context of Leviticus 19:27-28 suggests that Moses was attempting to inoculate Israel against the emulation of certain idolatrous practices.

For example, the prophet forbids "cutting the flesh" in the passage under consideration. But no one contends that medical surgery is being condemned. Rather, "cuttings" in the flesh "for the dead" are in view (cf. also 1 Kings 18:28). This was an idolatrous practice.

This is a known feature of ancient pagan religions. Archaeological evidence indicates that some of the Canaanites would tattoo themselves with the names or symbols of their favorite gods. This appears to be what the prophet is condemning, not the modern custom of decorative tattooing, regardless of how distasteful such a practice may be to many people.

Since the New Testament does not address the issue of tattooing specifically, we must be guided by principle. Any practice that is vulgar, gaudy, or a distraction to one's Christian influence should be avoided. We should think carefully about whether such bodily decorations glorify God or ourselves.

Christians must employ sound judgment in such matters and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling (1 Timothy 5:14).