Daniel Whedon 28. Cuttings in your flesh The excitable Oriental nations were accustomed to scratch the arms, hands, and face in their passionate outbursts of mourning for the dead. The practice was associated with idolatrous rites. See Jeremiah 16:6; Jeremiah 41:5, where it was practised notwithstanding this prohibition. See Leviticus 21:5, note. Nor print any marks Tattooing, almost universal with savages, is still found in Arabia. It mars that which the Creator has made perfect, and thus degrades... read more
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 19:28
28. Cuttings in your flesh The excitable Oriental nations were accustomed to scratch the arms, hands, and face in their passionate outbursts of mourning for the dead. The practice was associated with idolatrous rites. See Jeremiah 16:6; Jeremiah 41:5, where it was practised notwithstanding this prohibition. See Leviticus 21:5, note. Nor print any marks Tattooing, almost universal with savages, is still found in Arabia. It mars that which the Creator has made perfect, and thus degrades... read more