Tattoos

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by jfrog

God never changes his mind. He still wants any woman that marries and is not a virgin to be executed. (Deuteronomy 22:13-21)

There you go!!! I wanna see the sheets!!!

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by HaShaliach

For Cindy -

Lv 19:28, the term nor ‘print’ (naw-than'), is to inflict blemish on. The term ‘mark’ (kah-ak-ah'), is used to mean, an incision or gash (incision, imprinment).

Answer: No, the term tattoo is strictly an English translation/term, not a biblical one.

For the rest of us:

The conceptual (Hebraic) translation is that: One is not to place any blemishes on their bodies by the means of making incisions.

Before we get too carried away with the strict observance of this ordinance, we must also remember that no priest could serve in the sanctuary, approach the altar, nor serve in the Temple if they had a blemish on their bodies (Lev 21:17 & 23).

As one can see, this would throw most churches into a real doctrinal conflict. No pastor could even enter the sanctuary, much less serve anywhere else in the church, if he/she had any blemish at all on their bodies, much less a tattoo. And, the ordinances cited means ‘no blemishes of any kind’. Plus, these restrictions would also extend to, and apply to any ‘priest-like' or related religious function/ministry within the church!

So, what is to be done with all these ordinances listed in the book of Leviticus?

...and this post is evidence of why we need smart people on the forum!!

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by HaShaliach

For Cindy -

Lv 19:28, the term nor ‘print’ (naw-than'), is to inflict blemish on. The term ‘mark’ (kah-ak-ah'), is used to mean, an incision or gash (incision, imprinment).

Answer: No, the term tattoo is strictly an English translation/term, not a biblical one.

For the rest of us:

The conceptual (Hebraic) translation is that: One is not to place any blemishes on their bodies by the means of making incisions.

Before we get too carried away with the strict observance of this ordinance, we must also remember that no priest could serve in the sanctuary, approach the altar, nor serve in the Temple if they had a blemish on their bodies (Lev 21:17 & 23).

As one can see, this would throw most churches into a real doctrinal conflict. No pastor could even enter the sanctuary, much less serve anywhere else in the church, if he/she had any blemish at all on their bodies, much less a tattoo. And, the ordinances cited means ‘no blemishes of any kind’. Plus, these restrictions would also extend to, and apply to any ‘priest-like' or related religious function/ministry within the church!

So, what is to be done with all these ordinances listed in the book of Leviticus?

Thanks for the clarification. But, wow!

[Jeffrey]

It's my understanding that Lev 19 is a commandment in contrast to pagan rituals at that time -- including gashing their bodies for the dead, and imprinting designs on their bodies. It was directly related to pagan worship practices. This is what the commandments were for at the time. I AM YOUR GOD! This is repeated in Chapter 19 a couple of times. He is trying to say, not those pagans, I AM! Also, we have to observe that planting two kinds of seeds, different fabrics woven together. Any resident Hebrew historians know what the significance of that is?

[*AQuietPlace*]

Some people believe that the admonition against marking your body or 'tattoos' had to do with worship of false gods. If this is so, wouldn't that be the main "why" behind God's prohibition? Not the act of marking your body itself, but the reason for which you were doing it?


(lol - I was posting at the same time as Jeffrey)

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

It's my understanding that Lev 19 is a commandment in contrast to pagan rituals at that time -- including gashing their bodies for the dead, and imprinting designs on their bodies. It was directly related to pagan worship practices. This is what the commandments were for at the time. I AM YOUR GOD! This is repeated in Chapter 19 a couple of times. He is trying to say, not those pagans, I AM! Also, we have to observe that planting two kinds of seeds, different fabrics woven together. Any resident Hebrew historians know what the significance of that is?

Maybe the two kinds of seeds was because God didn't want hybrids. But pure and true of each kind. Just an idea. A lot of the laws seemed to be about purity.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

Some people believe that the admonition against marking your body or 'tattoos' had to do with worship of false gods. If this is so, wouldn't that be the main "why" behind God's prohibition? Not the act of marking your body itself, but the reason for which you were doing it?


(lol - I was posting at the same time as Jeffrey)

I think that might be it. False idolatry.

[Jeffrey]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Maybe the two kinds of seeds was because God didn't want hybrids. But pure and true of each kind. Just an idea. A lot of the laws seemed to be about purity.

I've heard that often, but I'm not sure what that means.

Hybrids. Purity. Separation. Sounds good, but what was really going on. The law was usually GRACE. It was a blessing to the people, helping them in some way.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by Cindy

I think that might be it. False idolatry.

But if this is true, does the prohibition still hold if you're not doing it in any way to worship a false god? If you, for instance, just think a flower would look pretty on your ankle?

[Truthseeker]

So all the tattood up body pierced NBA players ain't so bad after all, I guess.