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What does the Bible say about child dedication?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible presents children as God’s precious gifts and calls parents to receive them thankfully, pray for them, and raise them in the knowledge and discipline of the Lord. Psalm 127:3 calls children a heritage from the Lord, while Deuteronomy 6:5-7 commands God’s people to teach his words diligently at home. Hannah’s prayerful dedication of Samuel in 1 Samuel 1:27-28 provides a fitting model of entrusting a child to God’s service. Jesus welcomed and blessed children in Mark 10:13-16. Though dedication does not save a child, it can be a meaningful public confession that parents depend on God’s grace and covenantally commit to nurture their child in faith.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Proverbs 22:6

    Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

  • Psalms 127:3

    Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward.

  • Deuteronomy 6:5-7

    [5] and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. [6] These words, which I command you this day, shall be on your heart; [7] and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.

  • 1 Samuel 1:27-28

    [27] For this child I prayed; and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him: [28] therefore also I have granted him to Yahweh; as long as he lives he is granted to Yahweh. He worshiped Yahweh there.

  • Mark 10:13-16

    [13] They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them. [14] But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said to them, "Allow the little children to come to me! Don't forbid them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. [15] Most assuredly I tell you, whoever will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, he will in no way enter into it." [16] He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

  • Jeremiah 1:5

    Before I formed you in the belly I knew you, and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.

  • Luke 2:22

    When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord

  • Mark 10:16

    He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

  • 3 John 1:4

    I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.

  • Ephesians 6:4

    You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

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