What does the Bible say about abortion?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that human life, including life in the womb, is God’s precious gift and must be protected, while also offering mercy and forgiveness to all who repent and trust in Christ. Psalm 139:13-16 praises God’s personal care in forming each child before birth, and Genesis 9:5-6 and Exodus 20:13 forbid the unjust taking of human life. Exodus 21:22-25 affirms that harm done in connection with pregnancy is a serious matter before God. Proverbs 6:16-19 condemns hands that shed innocent blood, while Proverbs 24:11-12 calls God’s people to rescue those facing death. The church should therefore uphold unborn life with truth, compassion, practical care, and the gospel’s hope.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Exodus 20:13 11 votes
“You shall not murder.
- Psalms 139:13-16 6 votes
For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well. My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.
- Romans 1:28-32 6 votes
Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
- Leviticus 24:17 6 votes
“‘He who strikes any man mortally shall surely be put to death.
- Genesis 9:5-6 5 votes
I will surely require accounting for your life’s blood. At the hand of every animal I will require it. At the hand of man, even at the hand of every man’s brother, I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man’s blood, his blood will be shed by man, for God made man in his own image.
- Exodus 21:22-25 5 votes
“If men fight and hurt a pregnant woman so that she gives birth prematurely, and yet no harm follows, he shall be surely fined as much as the woman’s husband demands and the judges allow. But if any harm follows, then you must take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, and bruise for bruise.
- Proverbs 6:16-19 4 votes
There are six things which Yahweh hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.
- Proverbs 24:11-12 4 votes
Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
- Matthew 18:14 4 votes
Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
- Deuteronomy 27:25 3 votes
‘Cursed is he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
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