Tattoos have been around for millennia. But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.”

What does it say about tattoos in the Bible?

The verse in the Bible that most Christians make reference to is Leviticus 19:28, which says,”You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.” So, why is this verse in the Bible?

Is it against the Bible to get piercings?

Most people on the side against body piercing use Leviticus as an argument that body piercing is a sin. There are stories in the Old Testament of nose piercings (Rebecca in Genesis 24) and even piercing the ear of a slave (Exodus 21). Yet there is no mention of piercing in the New Testament.

Why cant you donate blood after a tattoo?

The American Red Cross require a 12-month waiting period after receiving a tattoo in an unregulated facility before a person can donate blood. This is due to the risk of hepatitis. Hepatitis is a type of liver inflammation. People who get tattoos in regulated and licensed facilities do not need to wait to give blood.