What does the Bible say about human life?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that human life is God’s sacred gift, made in his image, known by him from the womb, and therefore to be received with gratitude, protected with justice, and lived in love for God and neighbor. Genesis 1:27 and 2:7 ground human dignity in God’s creative act, while Psalm 139:13 and Jeremiah 1:5 show his personal care before birth. Deuteronomy 27:25 condemns the unjust taking of innocent life, and Romans 13:8-10 calls believers to love rather than harm their neighbors. Children are a heritage from the Lord in Psalm 127:3-5. Though life is frail, Psalm 91 assures God’s preserving care, and John 6:35 points to Christ as the true bread who gives eternal life.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • Genesis 1:27 25 votes

    God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.

  • Jeremiah 1:5 18 votes

    “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

  • Romans 13:8-10 9 votes

    Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

  • Psalms 127:3-5 8 votes

    Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

  • Genesis 2:7 7 votes

    Yahweh God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:39 5 votes

    All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

  • Psalms 91:1-16 4 votes

    He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, so that you won’t dash your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and cobra. You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot. “Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he has known my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him. I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation.”

  • John 6:35 3 votes

    Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

  • Psalms 139:13 3 votes

    For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

  • 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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