What does the Bible say about tattooing your body?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible does not give a simple universal command forbidding all tattooing, but it calls God’s people to honor him with their bodies, motives, and choices. Leviticus 19:28 prohibited marking the body in connection with pagan mourning practices, and Deuteronomy 14:1 likewise guarded Israel from pagan rites. Christians should therefore avoid tattoos linked to idolatry, rebellion, immorality, or self-harm. Because believers belong to Christ and their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 urges thoughtful stewardship. In matters not expressly forbidden, Christians should seek God’s glory, exercise wise conscience, and remember that the Lord sees the heart, as 1 Samuel 16:7 teaches.