Are tattoos permissible?

Answer From The Annual Reading Schedule - Week 27 Notes For Leviticus: No. Some teach that this is only forbidding tattoos if done "for the dead", however, the Hebrew word "lo" (which means "No" or "Do Not") is in Leviticus 19:28 two times indicating there are two distinct commands: 1) Do not put cuttings in your flesh for the dead, and 2) Do not put tattoo marks on you.

However, consider this: Is the purpose of Leviticus 19:28 to give you permission to cut yourself? Is it teaching, "Go ahead – cut yourself – as much as you want – just don't cut yourself for the dead – only that you can't do." Obviously not. We know that's not what this verse is teaching. The pagans may have cut themselves for the dead and that may be why this verse is written the way it is. However, I do not believe Yahweh wants us to cut ourselves for any reason.

Also, this block of text in Leviticus 19 in the Hebrew also includes not eating meat with the blood (in verse 26). In English, we see verse numbers like verse 26 and verse 28, but originally there was no verse numbering system. It's just one big block of text originally. So does that mean you can eat blood (from verse 26) as long as you don't eat blood "for the dead" (from verse 28)? You can't eat blood and unless you are having a piercing done or undergoing a medical procedure to save your life, you shouldn't be cutting yourself for any reason – not just "for the dead".

I believe Tattoos are completely prohibited. If you have one, you may be permanently stuck with it because it is very difficult to get them removed. But if you have repented and been immersed, there is forgiveness.

Also, consider the "mark" of the beast mentioned in the book of Revelation. "Mark" is similar to the word tattoo. Perhaps it is forbidding all markings on our flesh. Perhaps the "mark of the beast" will be a tattoo? If it is, which I don't know, but if it is, you certainly would not want to think the laws are abolished and take that tattoo mark if it is a tattoo. We know that the law to avoid tattoos is not abolished. We are expected to avoid tattoos as the law teaches.

Also – consider a similar verse found in Deuteronomy 14:1.