What does the Bible say about black history?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that every people and ethnicity share one human origin, bear God-given dignity, and are welcomed equally into Christ’s redeemed family. Acts 17:26 declares that God made all nations from one man, while Galatians 3:28 proclaims that ethnic and social distinctions do not determine one’s standing in Christ. Scripture also portrays the diversity of God’s world: Acts 13:1 names leaders from varied backgrounds, and 1 Kings 10:1 honors the Queen of Sheba’s wisdom and faith. Song of Solomon 1:5-6 speaks positively of a dark-skinned woman’s beauty. These passages call Christians to reject racial pride and contempt, to remember God’s providence among all peoples, and to pursue loving, impartial fellowship in the church.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- Acts 17:26
He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the boundaries of their dwellings,
- Acts 13:1
Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
- John 3:1-16
[1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [2] The same came to him by night, and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." [3] Jesus answered him, "Most assuredly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can't see the Kingdom of God." [4] Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" [5] Jesus answered, "Most assuredly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can't enter into the Kingdom of God! [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Don't marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born anew.' [8] The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don't know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." [9] Nicodemus answered him, "How can these things be?" [10] Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and don't understand these things? [11] Most assuredly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, and you don't receive our witness. [12] If I told you earthly things and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? [13] No one has ascended into heaven, but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven. [14] As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, [15] that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
- 1 Kings 10:1
When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of Yahweh, she came to prove him with hard questions.
- Song of Solomon 1:5
I am dark, but lovely, You daughters of Jerusalem, Like Kedar's tents, Like Solomon's curtains.
- Song of Solomon 1:6
Don't stare at me because I am dark, Because the sun has scorched me. My mother's sons were angry with me. They made me keeper of the vineyards. I haven't kept my own vineyard.
- Isaiah 53:2
For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
- Deuteronomy 28:1-10
[1] It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to the voice of Yahweh your God, to observe to do all his commandments which I command you this day, who Yahweh your God will set you on high above all the nations of the earth: [2] and all these blessings shall come on you, and overtake you, if you shall listen to the voice of Yahweh your God. [3] Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. [4] Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your animals, the increase of your cattle, and the young of your flock. [5] Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading-trough. [6] Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. [7] Yahweh will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be struck before you: they shall come out against you one way, and shall flee before you seven ways. [8] Yahweh will command the blessing on you in your barns, and in all that you put your hand to; and he will bless you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you. [9] Yahweh will establish you for a holy people to himself, as he has sworn to you; if you shall keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and walk in his ways. [10] All the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of Yahweh; and they shall be afraid of you.
- Esther 1:6
[There were hangings of] white [cloth], [of] green, and [of] blue, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, and white, and yellow, and black marble.
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about black history and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about black history