What does the Bible say about body piercing and tattoos?

Shimmie said:

I'll be honest, why would anyone, especially a woman want to ruin their beautiful skin with a permanent ink that hides its beauty?

Even if the Bible wasn't 'against' it, I would still not want to have tattoos covering my skin.

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blazingthru said:

Several texts in the Bible forbid the cutting of or the marking of the human body. You can look up these passages and study them: Leviticus 19:28; Leviticus 21:5; Deuteronomy 14:1.

The pagans who did not believe that God had created them consequently had no respect for the human body. The prophets of Baal speared themselves with lances on Mt. Carmel in order to please their god. The demoniac deliberately gouged and lacerated his flesh with stones. These false religions, conjured up by Satan, wish to dishonor God’s image in man by doing what is foreign to it. And virtually every pagan religion of the world has some form of self-mutilation.

These admonitions apply to tattoos and body piercing, which harm the human body (inducing the immune system to fight what is dangerous, harmful, and unnatural) in a bizarre twist of human pride and adornment.

Therefore, Christians should have an entirely different perspective: “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).

Leviticus 19:28
King James Version (KJV)
28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 21:5
King James Version (KJV)
5 They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.

Deuteronomy 14:1
King James Version (KJV)
14 Ye are the children of the Lord your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.

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Rocky91 said:

My mother (we are SDA) applies the same logic to pierced ears and was so angry when I pierced mine. Like she was fine with the clip ons, but not with an actual hole.
I am still conflicted, honestly.

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

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Kurlee said:

@Shimmie, what say you about jewelry/body piercing?

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GENESIS 24:30. As soon as he had seen the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister's arms, and had heard Rebekah tell what the man said to her, he went out to the man and found him standing by the camels near the spring.

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loolalooh said:

I need to read more about this because the last time I read those books, I inferred that He was telling them this because they were to be a chosen people. (I'll expand on this later cuz I need to get back to some work.)

Also, can someone explain this to me. Now I'm not saying that because Rebekah had a nose ring, that makes piercings okay. I guess what I'm asking is why was it okay to pick a wife with a nose ring? (I guess I could read more about this too.)



Regardless this is a good question because someone asked me this recently and referenced those verses above. They were trying to make the case that Christians are so hypocrital and yadda, yadda, yadda. I could only respond with my justification above and "if you are convicted against it", yadda, yadda, yadda (I have ear piercings, btw) ... but it sounded like a load of garbage to them ... which leads me to this ...

I need to brush up on my reading of the Bible.

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loolalooh said:

I need to read more about this because the last time I read those books, I inferred that He was telling them this because they were to be a chosen people. (I'll expand on this later cuz I need to get back to some work.)

Also, can someone explain this to me. Now I'm not saying that because Rebekah had a nose ring, that makes piercings okay. I guess what I'm asking is why was it okay to pick a wife with a nose ring? (I guess I could read more about this too.)



Regardless this is a good question because someone asked me this recently and referenced those verses above. They were trying to make the case that Christians are so hypocrital and yadda, yadda, yadda. I could only respond with my justification above and "if you are convicted against it", yadda, yadda, yadda (I have ear piercings, btw) ... but it sounded like a load of garbage to them ... which leads me to this ...

I need to brush up on my reading of the Bible.

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Kurlee said:

I thought of Rebekah, too when this thread came up. Also, I've come across many parts where prominent "chosen" people wore jewelry, gave jewelry as gifts and so on. The modesty argument is so-so to me because modesty is subjective and I think folks take the modesty thing way too far. I'd love to hear from others.

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Shimmie said:

The NIV Bible translation reads 'nose ring'.

The other translations (KJV, etc.) read either ring or earring.

Let's look at Rebekah's culture. It was not the same as Abraham and Issac. Rebekah was Leban's sister who was of Abraham's family members from whom God told Abraham to come out from among. God separated Abraham from his family because they worshipped idols, not God.

God was able to reach the heart of Abraham in order to fulfill His plan for our redemption, the human Bloodline of Jesus.

Here in Genesis 31:22-35 it shares of Laban and his family's idolatry which the practice would also explain the jewelry worn by Rebekah.

Laban Pursues Jacob

22 On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled.

23 Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.

24 Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

25 Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too.

26 Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You’ve deceived me, and you’ve carried off my daughters like captives in war.

27 Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps?

28 You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. You have done a foolish thing.

29 I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’

30 Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household. But why did you steal my gods?”

31 Jacob answered Laban, “I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force.

32 But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.

33 So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and into the tent of the two female servants, but he found nothing. After he came out of Leah’s tent, he entered Rachel’s tent.

34Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel’s saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing.

35 Rachel said to her father, “Don’t be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I’m having my period.” So he searched but could not find the household gods.

----------------------------

Rebekah and the family from whom she came did not worship the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.... "Our God".

This is the explanation for the type of jewelry she wore.

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Kurlee said:

I did some research and came across this:

Israelite Children:

Exo 3:22 (NIV)

Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians."

Joseph:

Gen 41:42 (NIV)

"Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck."

Daniel:

Dan 5:29 (NIV):

Then at Belshazzar's command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

Song of Solomon 1:10 ESV

Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels[/I]

Ezek 16:11-13:

“I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.”


Luke 15:22

“But the father said to his servants, bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand…”

I think that people read this and run with it:

Isaiah 3:16-24
New King James Version (NKJV)

16 Moreover the Lord says:

“Because the daughters of Zion are haughty,
And walk with outstretched necks
And wanton eyes,
Walking and mincing as they go,
Making a jingling with their feet,
17 Therefore the Lord will strike with a scab
The crown of the head of the daughters of Zion,
And the Lord will uncover their secret parts.”
18 In that day the Lord will take away the finery:
The jingling anklets, the scarves, and the crescents;
19 The pendants, the bracelets, and the veils;
20 The headdresses, the leg ornaments, and the headbands;
The perfume boxes, the charms,
21 and the rings;
The nose jewels,
22 the festal apparel, and the mantles;
The outer garments, the purses,
23 and the mirrors;
The fine linen, the turbans, and the robes.
24 And so it shall be:

Instead of a sweet smell there will be a stench;
Instead of a sash, a rope;
Instead of well-set hair, baldness;
Instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth;
And branding instead of beauty.

Every time jewelry is referred to in a negative way, it's always in reference to people becoming vain, letting the jewelry become an idol, being adorned on the inside and vacant within.

I never thought the message was "don't wear jewelry because it's bad", but more so, don't be vain, let it become an idol and that your inside should shine brighter (figuratively) than your outside.

Also, from what I've learned, the anti-jewellery teachings in some denominations are not necessarily bible based. They come from someone else, but I'll leave it at that.

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Shimmie said:

The NIV Bible translation reads 'nose ring'. The other translations (KJV, etc.) read either ring or earring. Let's look at Rebekah's culture. It was not the same as Abraham and Issac. Rebekah was Leban's sister who was of Abraham's family members from whom God told Abraham to come out from among. God separated Abraham from his family because they worshipped idols, not God. God was able to reach the heart of Abraham in order to fulfill His plan for our redemption, the human Bloodline of Jesus. Here in Genesis 31:22-35 it shares of Laban and his family's idolatry which the practice would also explain the jewelry worn by Rebekah. Laban Pursues Jacob 22 On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled. 23 Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. 24 Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” 25 Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too. 26 Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You’ve deceived me, and you’ve carried off my daughters like captives in war. 27 Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps? 28 You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. You have done a foolish thing. 29 I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’ 30 Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household. But why did you steal my gods?” 31 Jacob answered Laban, “I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force. 32 But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods. 33 So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and into the tent of the two female servants, but he found nothing. After he came out of Leah’s tent, he entered Rachel’s tent. 34Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel’s saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing. 35 Rachel said to her father, “Don’t be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I’m having my period.” So he searched but could not find the household gods. ---------------------------- Rebekah and the family from whom she came did not worship the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.... "Our God". This is the explanation for the type of jewelry she wore.

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ktykaty said:

@Shimmie
My understanding of Genesis 24:22 and Genesis 24:30 is that it's Abraham's servant who put the jewelry on Rebekah.

22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka[c] and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels.

30 As soon as he had seen the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and had heard Rebekah tell what the man said to her, he went out to the man and found him standing by the camels near the spring.

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sweetvi said:

Love this forum.........

....

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blazingthru said:

What I love about the word of God is it tells things as they were whether it was pleasing to God or not.

Remember Rebekah she was barren yet chosen by God to be the wife of Issac. Abraham lied, Jacob lied, cheated, schemed, his wife, lied she was a thief. I mean those folks were no different then any of us when God stepped in and changed their circumstances.

Jewelry was used for money back in those days, you can tell what a persons' worth was by the adornment but it wasn't intended for adornment, but eventually it leaded into that. Folks got tore up from the floor drunk, yet God says my people, those who love me, all these things will go on, but you who call yourself my people leave all that alone. set aside these things that the world considers important. That is pretty much it. if I find myself arguing an issue so that I may use it, then its Satan's and he can have it. When I visited my church the first thing I notice was no one had jewerly on I thought it was so odd and immediately I was convicted. I still do not wear jewerly to this day. Also everything on this earth will burn up, including the jewerly around your wrist, really! no I won't be having any on me. Listen for me, there is nothing that this earth holds that I must have especially if it takes my focus off of God.

I was admiring a food processor had to have it, for what! I can't even afford it right now but I was working it out so I could and I had to pause and think about it. yeah I need one but I been without one for many years, and how can I, being as broke as I currently am, justified that expensive equipment sitting on my counter. So dumb! I left it alone. I actually felt ashamed of myself for wanting something so materialistic, when I can continue as I always have. I read this passage in a book I am reading now called Early Writings, I heard a woman say she read this book on a show and she immediately had to be baptisted well I found that to be so interesting I looked it up online and found I could read it for free, but I purchased it for .99 for my kindle and started reading it and I totally got what she means, although I am no where near finished it has helped me reexamine my life and realize that there is so much room for improvement here is a excerpt of what she was saying.

Many think that because God has given them the means, they may live almost above want, can have rich food, and clothe themselves abundantly, and that it is no virtue to deny themselves when they have enough. Such do not sacrifice. If they would live a little poorer and give to the cause of God to help forward the truth, it would be a sacrifice on their part, and when God rewards every man according to his works, it would be remembered by Him.

I had so much to consider after all. There are to many folks longing for the truth and if I could in some way provide a bible, bible study, money I certainly would.

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MizMoo said:

Kurlee, what is your opinion on ear piercing and nose piercing? I mean to say, are you more
accepting of one over the other? Very interesting topic, btw.

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