Cutting: The flesh in various ways was an idolatrous practice, a part of
idol-worship
(Deuteronomy 14:1; 1 Kings 18:28) The Israelites were commanded not to
imitate this practice
(Leviticus 19:28; 21:5; Deuteronomy 14:1) The tearing of the flesh
from grief and anguish of spirit in mourning for the dead was
regarded as a mark of affection
(Jeremiah 16:6; 41:5; 48:37) Allusions are
made in Revelation
(Revelation 13:16; 17:5; 19:20) to the practice of printing
marks on the body, to indicate allegiance to a deity. We find also
references to it, through in a different direction, by Paul
(Galatians 6:7)
and by Ezekiel
(Ezekiel 9:4)
