Bible Verses about Abortion

The topic of abortion is one that elicits a wide range of views, opinions, and emotions. Although the term "abortion" as understood in our modern context isn't directly mentioned in the Bible, there are numerous passages that have been interpreted and discussed in relation to the topic. This list explores various biblical verses that touch upon themes relevant to the discussion on abortion, such as the sanctity of life, the value of a child in the womb, and God's intimate knowledge of human life even before birth.

Bible Verses about Abortion

Genesis 9:5-6

And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.”

Exodus 20:13

“You shall not murder.”

Exodus 21:22-25

“When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”

Exodus 23:7

“Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked.”

Leviticus 24:17

“Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death.”

Deuteronomy 27:25

“Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.” And all the people shall say, “Amen.”

Deuteronomy 30:19

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.”

Psalm 94:18-22

When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute? They band together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.

Psalm 127:3-5

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”

Proverbs 6:16-19

“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

Proverbs 24:11-12

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?

Ecclesiastes 11:5

“As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.”

Isaiah 5:20

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”

Matthew 18:14

“So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”

Matthew 19:18

He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness.”

Mark 7:20-23

And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Romans 1:28-32

“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.”

James 2:11

For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

The Sanctity of Life

Job 10:8-12

“Your hands fashioned and made me, and now you have destroyed me altogether. Remember that you have made me like clay; and will you return me to the dust? Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese? You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.”

Psalm 139:13-16

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

Jeremiah 1:5

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Luke 1:44

“For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”

Conclusion

Navigating the delicate topic of abortion through the lens of biblical scripture presents a challenging but enriching journey. The verses we have explored bring forward themes of life's sanctity, divine intention, and human value even prior to birth. Although these scriptures do not explicitly address the modern concept of abortion, they provide a spiritual and moral context that can inform our beliefs and decisions.

Prayer for the Sanctity of Life

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with humility and gratitude, acknowledging You as the Creator of all life, the one who fearfully and wonderfully makes each of us in our mother's womb. We pray for a deeper respect for the sanctity of life in our world today.

Lord, You have taught us to love and value all individuals, regardless of their circumstances. Help us to extend this love to every life, remembering that every person is created in Your image and carries immense value and worth.

We lift up those who are wrestling with decisions related to life. Grant them wisdom, strength, and the support they need during these difficult times. May they feel Your love and guidance.

Help us, Lord, to be instruments of Your love and compassion in this world. Strengthen us to defend the voiceless, protect the vulnerable, and uphold the dignity of every human life.

Thank you, God, for the gift of life. Let us never take it for granted, but cherish it as the profound blessing that it is.

In Jesus’ holy name we pray, Amen.