Leviticus 19:28
Viewing the King James Version. Click to switch to 1611 King James Version of Leviticus 19:28.
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
- King James Bible "Authorized Version", Cambridge Edition
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Other Translations of Leviticus 19:28
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
'You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am Jehovah.
- American Standard Version (1901)
You may not make cuts in your flesh in respect for the dead, or have marks printed on your bodies: I am the Lord.
- Basic English Bible
And cuttings for a dead person shall ye not make in your flesh, nor put any tattoo writing upon you: I am Jehovah.
- Darby Bible
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
- Webster's Bible
'You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am Yahweh.
- World English Bible
`And a cutting for the soul ye do not put in your flesh; and a writing, a cross-mark, ye do not put on you; I [am] Jehovah.
- Youngs Literal Bible
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor imprint any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
View Wesley's Notes for Leviticus 19:28
19:28 Cuttings in your flesh - Which the Gentiles commonly did both in the worship of their idols, and in their solemn mournings, #Jer 16:6|.
Irma's comment on 2013-06-03 13:41:41:
I agree it's wrong for several reasons, one is that the law says not to do it. Another is that piercing and tattoos scare the body. Although we can't see this, our skin sends messages throughout the body and if it is scared the natural healing can not take place. We become block and then we get sick. God created our bodies and he should know what is good for us. Another thing is idolatry, cutting yourself or putting a tatoo of your dead loved ones on your body is exactly what he says not to do. The good news is that when you get born again your under grace and so you get a clean slate. Don't do it again.
Confused's comment on 2013-05-29 17:34:51:
What about earrings and piercings? Is that not cutting yourself?
Shirley Harris's comment on 2013-05-17 00:18:04:
With all the blood born sickness out here I see why Father God said not to do these things to ourselves.
Brian Johnson's comment on 2013-04-30 08:07:34:
Verses to consider.
Isaiah 49:15 and 16
(15) "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
(16) See, I [God] have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
Revelation 19:16
On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Brian Johnson's comment on 2013-04-30 07:57:43:
Leviticus 19 also forbids wearing two mixed materials on the body (cotton/poly blend); Sewing seeds of a different kind next to each other; eating things with blood (filet medium rare or rare); and shaving around your head. For those who want to condemn tattoos (which weren't even called tatoos in Bible times)I would ask Do you eat steak medium rare, do you wear poly? Do you plant corn next to beans? Be careful of the judgments you lay on others. Read Matthew 23 to see how Jesus felt about the Pharisees doing that.
Billy's comment on 2013-04-18 18:30:03:
I am a Christian and I have a lot of tattoos. I regret getting them as I now realise what the word says, however this may just be Old Testament rules. (I don't know. I'm not God). Nontheless, a lot of people judge others by a little ink which is rediculous. Pull the log out of your own eye first. I don't believe a little bit of ink is going to keep you from God, but if you feel convicted from it, you probably shouldn't get the tattoo. It can also cause a lot of trouble when you try to get a job. You never know when you might lose the one you have now. If you do get ink, be prepared to be judged. One thing tattoos will do for you- they will open your eyes up to self righteous proud people.......you will be surprised just who these people will turn out to be. My advice.......don't do it
Confused's comment on 2013-04-17 09:51:51:
This scripture is so confusing to me .. i recently just found it while going through a friends facebook and was instantly intrigued by what it meant. I myself have tattoos but had no idea that this scripture existed. I have been trying to have a closer relationship with GOD but this has rattled me .. this whole chapter confuses me
THANDANANI's comment on 2013-03-07 02:29:30:
First, glory be to God the father of Jesus Christ. These verses state clearly what must not be done, because ROMANS 9:20 confirms the Old Testament.
josh's comment on 2013-02-24 13:49:52:
I will start by saying I have no tattoos, but I'm not sure that it is wrong or that it’s ok. I do know that the Old Testament has a lot of truth today but not all. God also had them make sacrifices. The Old Testament was during a time when the Jews had to live under the LAW. When Jesus died on the cross it allowed people to be saved by Grace. We as Christians today are not called to live by the law. Not that most of the law can be applied to life today. So take what you want from it, but that’s how I look at a lot of Old Testament LAWS.
keysfish's comment on 2013-02-01 12:54:17:
Achem's razor applies here. The most obvious and plain interpretation is probably the more correct.
obed chindo's comment on 2013-01-15 05:07:06:
Well, it has changed my mind, because I loved tattoos then but the Lord is against it, so am I, I had this dream last Night and it seems to like the world is coming to an end, things were destroyed and some people or aliens where after me and God's people, and when they were coming to attack me, I woke up from sleep. In the Dream I saw men of God from my country, don't really know if they are false Prophets or not.
Luke's comment on 2013-01-15 01:14:40:
The justification people come up with here is glorious. The language is plain. Just because you like a practice the good book forbids doesn't mean you get to ignore it and still call yourself a good Christian and pray and work hard to stop with it.
Peter's comment on 2012-11-21 09:10:33:
I’m just wondering why all the discussion about what people believe this means. The bible was written for all to understand. Let it be as it is. Do not justify certain actions by convoluting the scripture to fit certain human beliefs.
Virgie Shortman's comment on 2012-10-10 23:04:15:
I think these verses mean different interpretation to everyone (meaning their belief, and way of living). But to me, I'm afraid it talks to me plain and clear. Don't abuse God's temple, don't neglect God's House of Prayer. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “God looks at the inside" but we as living Christians need to remember we are "ambassadors" for God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. If we believe in our hearts that God accepts us as we are when we became His child, we need to move forward from where and when we became God's child. We are still humans that make mistakes, but doing thing with an intent is different from true confession. God knows us, each and everyone, alone and he sees everything that other people don't see in and through us. Think about this: If we judge another person, we are tattooed with negative marking as well. Is this different from an actual tattoo? I don't think so, spiritual negativities are, I think more dangerous than seen sins. That's what I mean by, God see all in us and through us.
Melissa Askew's comment on 2012-05-24 18:21:32:
This passage is pertaining to mourning rituals. In ancient days people, mainly in pagan rituals, would cut their skin or produce bald spots on their heads, and also inscribe the names of the dead on their skin..This passage refers to these rituals, which God's chosen were not to do..
Bobbie's comment on 2012-05-23 14:02:35:
I believe the "do not" is tied to the practice of doing it for the dead....a form of mourning or Pagan ritual....it was a direction given in Levitical law.... That is not the same motive most people today have in getting a tatoo.
Zachariah Ryan's comment on 2012-05-22 23:15:39:
This verse can be interpreted in many different ways. The verse directly before it talks of not cutting your hair or beard. Many people still do this everyday, but want to try to twist the meaning to fit what they want to believe. "I don't like christians with tattoos, but want to cut my hair for work". This is how I take most other christians interpretation of these verses.
Jeff Barrett's comment on 2012-01-28 20:17:57:
Clearly the Lord is telling up DO NOT pierce or tattoo our bodies. Makes me wonder why I see SO many people doing just that.
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