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What does the Bible say about giving birth?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible presents giving birth as a good gift within God’s creation, marked by both joy and the pain that entered the world through sin, yet held under his wise care. Genesis 1:28 and Psalm 127:3 call children a blessing and heritage from the Lord, while Genesis 3:16 acknowledges the real sorrow of labor. Jesus uses childbirth in John 16:21 to picture grief turned to joy. God knows and consecrates life before birth, as Jeremiah 1:5 declares, and Isaiah 66:7-12 portrays his power to bring forth and comfort his people. Above all, Christ’s miraculous conception and birth through Mary, foretold in Isaiah 7:14 and recorded in Luke 1:35, reveal God’s saving grace.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • John 16:21

    A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow, because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn't remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world.

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 66:7-12

    [7] Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child. [8] Who has heard such a thing? who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? shall a nation be brought forth at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. [9] Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? says Yahweh: shall I who cause to bring forth shut [the womb]? says your God. [10] Rejoice you with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her: rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her; [11] that you may suck and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that you may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. [12] For thus says Yahweh, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream: and you shall suck [of it]; you shall be borne on the side, and shall be dandled on the knees.

  • Psalms 127:3

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

  • Genesis 1:28

    God blessed them. God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

  • 1 Timothy 2:15

    but she will be saved through her child-bearing, if they continue in faith, love, and sanctification with sobriety.

  • Genesis 3:16

    To the woman he said, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth. In pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you."

  • Luke 1:35

    The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.

  • Exodus 1:19

    The midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women aren't like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous, and give birth before the midwife comes to them."

  • Isaiah 7:14

    Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

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