What does the Bible say about taking care of older people?
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The Bible calls God’s people to honor, respect, and faithfully care for older people, recognizing their dignity, wisdom, and continuing place in the covenant community. Leviticus 19:32 commands honor for the aged in the fear of God, while Exodus 20:12 and Proverbs 23:22 especially charge children to honor their parents. Scripture also commends the wisdom often gained through years, though all wisdom ultimately comes from the Lord (Job 12:12). Families bear particular responsibility to provide for relatives in need (1 Timothy 5:8), and believers should not cast aside the weak or elderly, trusting God’s promise in Isaiah 46:4 to carry His servants even to old age.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Leviticus 19:32
You shall rise up before the gray head, and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God. I am Yahweh.
- Proverbs 23:22
Listen to your father who gave you life, And don't despise your mother when she is old.
- Exodus 20:12
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
- Proverbs 16:31
Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
- Isaiah 46:4
and even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry, and will deliver.
- 1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
- Luke 2:36-38
[36] There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, [37] and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn't depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day. [38] Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
- 1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
- Psalms 71:9
Don't reject me in my old age. Don't forsake me when my strength fails.
- Job 12:12
With aged men is wisdom, In length of days understanding.
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