What does the Bible say about body piercings and tattoos?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible does not give a universal prohibition of tattoos or body piercings, but calls believers to honor God with their bodies, motives, and appearance. Leviticus 19:28 and Deuteronomy 14:1 forbid mourning and pagan religious practices among Israel, so they should not be treated as simple bans on every modern marking or piercing. Christians are temples of the Holy Spirit and belong to Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), therefore such choices should be made reverently, not for rebellion, vanity, immorality, or identification with idolatry. Romans 14:23 urges faith-informed conscience, while 1 Corinthians 10:31 gives the guiding aim: do all to God’s glory.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Leviticus 19:28 15 votes
“‘You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am Yahweh.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 8 votes
Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
- Deuteronomy 14:1 5 votes
You are the children of Yahweh your God. You shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 5 votes
Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19 4 votes
Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
- 1 Timothy 2:9 4 votes
In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing,
- Romans 14:23 3 votes
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn’t of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin.
- Psalms 139:14 3 votes
I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.
- 1 Corinthians 6:20 3 votes
for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
- Exodus 21:6 2 votes
then his master shall bring him to God, and shall bring him to the door or to the doorpost, and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him forever.
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