Bible Discussion Thread

In Leviticus 19:28 is says not to paint your body is this referring to women that were harlots using makeup or is it actually tattoos?

Henna tattooing (temporary painting) is still practiced among many cultures. Perhaps that was the practice spoken of in this verse.

Hi Robert. This passage in Leviticus, particularly verses 27 & 28, was a warning to Israel not to mimic the activities relating to the dead. Those of the heathen often cut or whipped themselves expressing sorrow for their departed ones; the Muslims (the Shia sect) even today, whip themselves with barbed rope or cut themselves with knives, as they visually demonstrate sorrow for the death of Mohammed's grandson in battle - this they do in a special parade of commemoration. Likewise, the heathen marked themselves, both with paint & knife cuttings/blood letting, as part of their idol worship or expression of sorrow.

But Israel was not to do such things or disfigure the body, which was made in God's Image. Rather they were commanded to bear the emblem of God's Creed, the Mosaic Law, having phylacteries which were to be bound as "a sign" upon the hand, and as "a memorial" between the eyes "that the Lord's Law may be in his mouth" ( Exodus 13:9,16).

If we bring all that to today's times, any cutting, painting, tatooing, or disfigurement of the body stands in violation to what God has made & given to us. For the unbeliever, it may just be a fad or harmless decoration - to the believer, we should not get caught up with modern trends, rather continue to present ourselves, inwardly & outwardly, as holy vessels fit for the Lord's use & a testimony of His Creative Work & our submission to His requirement for holy living.

I'm wondering the same