Bible Verses About Tattoos

Tattoos are often a topic of debate among Christians, but the Bible gives us principles that help us think carefully about how we present our bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit. In this post, we’ll look at Bible verses about tattoos, considering not only Old Testament references but also the broader call to glorify God in all we do.

Bible Verses about Tattoos

While there are only a few verses that directly mention tattoos, there are other verses that are sometimes included in discussions about body markings and spiritual symbolism. Here’s an expanded list:

Leviticus 19:28 – “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.”

Deuteronomy 14:1 – “You are children of the Lord your God. Do not cut yourselves or shave the front of your heads for the dead.”

Isaiah 44:5 – “This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and will take the name Israel.”

Galatians 6:17 – “From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”

Revelation 19:16 – “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Exodus 28:36-38 – “Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the Lord. Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate whatever they do. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually, so that they will be acceptable to the Lord.”

Jeremiah 31:33 – “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Ezekiel 9:4 – “The Lord said to him, ‘Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.’”

1 Kings 18:28 – “So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed.”

These additional verses cover a broader range of body markings and symbols in biblical contexts, offering various perspectives on the practice.

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