Torah Portion DEVARIM – Devarim (Deuteronomy) 1:1-3:22 Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27
Shabbat shalom, dearly beloveds.
I was doing my exercise routine at the pool the other day when it hit me. So many people are tattooed. And not lightly tattooed but heavily tattooed! This is happening all over the USA, and the trend, unfortunately, has also been affecting Israel and other nations.
You may ask, why do I say “unfortunately”? What is wrong with tattoos after all? Isn’t it a form of “body art,” a way that people decorate themselves to feel good about themselves? Or just to imprint personal beliefs and memories on their bodies? Besides, many Christians and some Messianic and Jewish people tattoo themselves with meaningful spiritual symbols, the cross, a scripture, the name of Jesus, or even the name Yeshua. Isn’t this the “holy side” of the tattoo trend?
After all, they mean well; they want to display their faith. Some even tattoo the SHEMA, that biblical declaration to hear and obey Yah’s commandments. And that is exactly the key to unraveling the tattoo mystery! Let us look at YHVH’s commandments to Israel about tattoos. How does the Almighty see this trend?
Here are the key Scriptures in the Tree of Life Version (TLV) regarding tattoos and markings on the body:
“You are not to make gashes on your flesh for the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am Adonai.” Leviticus 19:28 TLV
This is the clearest verse in the Bible addressing tattoos. The context is a prohibition against pagan mourning practices and religious customs of the surrounding nations.
“Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Ruach ha-Kodesh, who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 TLV
“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy, acceptable to God—which is your spiritual service.” Romans 12:1 TLV
A verse sometimes mentioned in tattoo discussions:
“On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:16 TLV
Most commentators understand this as a symbolic apocalyptic vision and not as evidence that Yeshua had a literal tattoo.
Torah Context
In the Torah, the command is specifically:
- No gashes in the flesh for the dead.
- No tattoo marks upon the body.
The Hebrew of Leviticus 19:28 reads:
וּכְתֹבֶת קַעֲקַע לֹא תִתְּנוּ בָּכֶם
U’khtovet qa’aqa lo titnu bachem.
“You shall not place a tattoo inscription upon yourselves.”
Among traditional Jewish interpretations, this command is generally understood as a continuing prohibition. Among Messianic believers, views vary, but many choose not to receive tattoos out of obedience to the Torah and as a testimony that their bodies belong to Adonai.
It is also helpful to examine the surrounding context of Leviticus 19, where Adonai repeatedly says, “I am YHVH,” emphasizing Israel’s call to be distinct from the practices of the nations.
Tattooing is one of the oldest forms of body marking in human history, dating back thousands of years and appearing in many different cultures around the world.
Ancient Origins
Ötzi the Iceman (c. 3300 BC)
The oldest known tattooed human is Ötzi the Iceman, whose body contains more than 60 tattoos. These were simple lines and crosses and may have been used for therapeutic or medicinal purposes rather than decoration.
Ancient Egypt
Tattooed mummies from ancient Egypt, especially women, date back to around 2000–1300 BC. Some scholars believe the tattoos may have been connected to fertility, protection during pregnancy, or religious devotion.
The Ancient Near East and Biblical World
In the lands surrounding Israel, tattooing and cutting the body were often associated with:
- Mourning rituals for the dead
- Pagan religious devotion
- Marks of ownership by a deity or temple
- Magical protection
This background helps explain why Leviticus 19:28 forbids both cutting the flesh for the dead and placing tattoo marks on the body. The command distinguished Israel from surrounding pagan practices.
Greece and Rome
Among the Greeks and Romans:
- Tattoos were often used to mark slaves.
- Criminals and prisoners could be tattooed.
- Soldiers sometimes bore identifying marks.
Because tattoos could signify ownership or punishment, they often carried a negative social stigma.
Polynesia and the Pacific
The English word “tattoo” comes from the Polynesian word tatau.
In Polynesian cultures:
- Tattoos marked identity, ancestry, rank, and achievements.
- They were sacred rites of passage.
- Complex designs told a person’s story and family lineage.
The Māori ta moko tradition of New Zealand is one of the best-known examples.
Asia
In Japan, tattoos have a long history:
- Some early tattoos may have been spiritual or protective.
- Later, tattoos were sometimes used to mark criminals.
- Eventually elaborate artistic tattoos developed, known as irezumi.
Early Christianity
Many early Christians avoided tattoos because
- They associated them with pagan worship.
- The body was viewed as belonging to God.
- Leviticus 19:28 influenced Jewish and Christian thought.
However, some Christian groups in the Middle East occasionally tattooed crosses on their wrists as a sign of faith and identity.
Modern Tattoo Culture
Today tattoos are used for many reasons:
- Personal expression
- Memorials
- Artistic appreciation
- Military or group identity
- Religious symbolism
- Cultural heritage
Modern tattoos are generally not connected to the pagan mourning rituals addressed in Leviticus, which is one reason many Christians view them differently from the practices prohibited in the Torah.
Biblical Perspective
From a Torah perspective, the key issue is not merely body art but separation from pagan practices. In Leviticus 19, Adonai repeatedly calls Israel to be holy and distinct from the nations. Whether one understands the tattoo prohibition as universally binding or as specifically addressing pagan rituals, the historical context shows that tattooing in the biblical world was often connected to idolatry, mourning for the dead, or religious devotion to other gods.
This historical background is important when studying Leviticus 19:28 and understanding why the command was given to Israel.
While the Bible speaks very little about tattoos specifically, it contains several passages about markings, piercings, cutting the body, jewelry, and signs of ownership.
Prohibitions Against Pagan Cutting
“You are children of Adonai your God. You are not to cut yourselves or make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.” Deuteronomy 14:1 (TLV)
Like Leviticus 19:28, this prohibition is connected to mourning rituals for the dead practiced by pagan nations.
The prophets of Baal:
“So they cried aloud and cut themselves with swords and spears according to their custom until blood gushed over them.” 1 Kings 18:28 (TLV)
This shows self-cutting as part of pagan worship.
Pierced Ears
Exodus 21:5–6 (TLV)
A Hebrew servant who chose to remain permanently with his master:
“…his master is to pierce his ear with an awl, and he will serve him forever.”
This is a positive example of a body piercing used as a covenant sign of voluntary lifelong service.
Some Messianic teachers see this as a picture of loving servanthood rather than bondage.
Jewelry and Nose Rings
Genesis 24:22 (TLV)
When Abraham’s servant found Rebekah:
“The man took a gold nose ring weighing a half-shekel and two bracelets for her wrists…”
“Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.” Genesis 24:47 (TLV)
Nose rings were accepted adornments among the patriarchs.
Adonai describing Jerusalem:
“I put a ring in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.” Ezekiel 16:12 TLV
Here Adonai Himself uses jewelry imagery positively.
Marks of Ownership by God
Interestingly, Scripture also speaks of God placing marks on people.
“Go through the midst of the city… and put a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations done within it.” Ezekiel 9:4 TLV
The Hebrew word is תָּו (Tav), the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
“Do not harm the earth… until we have put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” Revelation 7:3 TLV
“Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him were 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads.” Revelation 14:1 TLV
These are divine marks of protection and ownership, not human tattoos.
The Mark of the Beast
“He causes everyone… to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead.” Revelation 13:16–17 (TLV)
This is the counterfeit of God’s mark and seal.
Summary
The Scriptures mention several kinds of bodily markings:
| Type | Scripture | Evalution |
|---|---|---|
| Tattoos/inscriptions | Leviticus 19:28 | Forbidden |
| Cutting for the dead | Deuteronomy 14:1 | Forbidden |
| Pagan self-cutting | 1 Kings 18:28 | Forbidden |
| Ear piercing of servant | Exodus 21:5–6 | Permitted |
| Nose rings and earrings | Genesis 24:22; Ezekiel 16:12 | Permitted |
| God’s protective mark | Ezekiel 9:4 | Positive |
| Seal of God | Revelation 7:3; 14:1 | Positive |
| Mark of the Beast | Revelation 13:16–17 | Evil/counterfeit |
I am conservative in my view of body markings, being fully aware that my body is the Temple of the Ruach haKodesh. Since you and I do not belong to ourselves, we need to be careful to keep our bodies separated to Yeshua and under His Lordship. Before you decide to make any cuttings in your body, make sure that He is in it. If not, you may find that your good intentions of displaying your faith by bodily markings and tattoos are displeasing the One you are seeking to display. “Kadosh” means separated, not for common use. Knowing that tattoos are a pagan worship custom is enough for me to stay away from them. After all, the roots are what dictate the fruit. If the root is pagan, what would the fruit be?
Instead, just like the Holy One who called you, be holy in all your conduct. For it is written,
‘Kedoshim you shall be, for I am Kadosh.’ 1 Peter 1:15, 16 TLV
Meaning of “Holy” (קָדוֹשׁ—Kadosh)
The Hebrew word “Kadosh” means:
- Set apart
- Consecrated
- Distinct
- Dedicated to God
Holiness is not merely avoiding sin; it is being set apart unto Adonai and reflecting His character.
A key companion verse is:
“…I have set you apart from the peoples so that you would be Mine.” Leviticus 20:26 TLV
Biblically, holiness is rooted in belonging to YHVH and living differently because of that relationship. As Peter emphasizes, this holiness is to be reflected “in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15)
And my motto is “When in doubt, don’t.”
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