25 Bible Verses About Fetuses (With Commentary)
The sanctity of life is a fundamental principle emphasized throughout the Bible, including the protection of the unborn. Verses addressing fetuses provide insight into God’s perspective on the value and dignity of every human life, even in its earliest stages of development. Let’s explore these verses and contemplate their relevance in today’s discourse on life and morality.
Bible Verses About Fetuses
Exodus 21:22-25
“If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
This passage addresses the issue of causing harm to a pregnant woman. If the woman gives birth prematurely and there is no serious harm to either the mother or the child, then a fine is to be imposed. However, if there is serious injury, the principle of “life for life” applies. This verse demonstrates the value placed on both the mother and the unborn child, emphasizing the importance of protecting and valuing the lives of both.
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
This verse reveals God’s intimate knowledge and purpose for each person even before they are formed in the womb. It highlights the fact that life begins before birth and that God has a calling and a plan for each individual. This verse emphasizes the sanctity and value of every human life, including those in the womb, and leaves no room for the devaluation of unborn children.
Psalms 127:3
“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from Him.”
This verse proclaims that children are a gift from God, emphasizing the blessing and value of having children. It recognizes that children are a precious heritage from the Lord, directly refuting any notion that unborn children are disposable or of lesser worth. This verse underscores the significance of cherishing and protecting the lives of all children, both born and unborn.
Psalm 139:13-16
“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.”
This powerful passage highlights the intricate and personal involvement of God in the formation of each unborn child. It acknowledges that God is the creator of life and that He is intimately aware of every aspect of a person’s development, even before they are born. The psalmist expresses gratitude for God’s wonderful and deliberate works, affirming the value and sanctity of human life from conception. This verse reinforces the concept that life begins in the womb and is known and planned by God.
Luke 1:41
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
This verse describes the encounter between Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her relative Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby leaped in Elizabeth’s womb, signifying a remarkable recognition of the presence of Jesus. This passage highlights the personhood and awareness of the unborn child. It demonstrates that even in the womb, babies have the capacity to respond and interact, reaffirming their inherent value and significance.
Lamentations 4:3
“Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my people have become heartless like ostriches in the desert.”
This verse compares the compassion of jackals towards their young with the lack of compassion displayed by the people. It exposes the heartlessness and disregard for life that can manifest in society. By contrasting the care of animals for their offspring with the callousness of human beings, this verse underscores the need for humanity to recognize and protect the lives of the most vulnerable, including unborn children.
Genesis 25:22-23
“The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ So she went to inquire of the LORD. The LORD said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.’”
In this passage, Rebekah carried twin sons, Esau and Jacob, in her womb. The babies in her womb were aware of each other’s presence and engaged in movements. God’s response to Rebekah’s inquiry reveals His knowledge and involvement even in the womb, as He foretells the destinies of the two unborn children. This verse highlights the personhood and individuality of the unborn and demonstrates God’s purpose for their lives.
Ecclesiastes 11:5
“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.”
This verse acknowledges the mystery and complexity of human life and development in the womb. It conveys the idea that just as we cannot fully comprehend the formation of a baby in the womb or the path of the wind, we cannot fathom the intricate work of God. This verse encourages humility and respect for the miracle of life and reinforces the belief in the divine origins and inherent value of every unborn child.
Job 10:8-12
“Your hands shaped me and made me. Will You now turn and destroy me? Remember that You molded me like clay. Will You now turn me to dust again? Did You not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese, clothe me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews? You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in Your providence watched over my spirit.”
In this passage, Job reflects on the wondrous formation of his own body by God. He acknowledges that God is the creator and sustainer of life, intricately fashioning him from the moment of conception. This verse underscores the value and sacredness of every human life, highlighting that God’s handiwork is evident in the very fabric of our being. It serves as a reminder that human life is not to be taken lightly or discarded, but cherished and protected.
Isaiah 49:1
“Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb He has spoken my name.”
This verse emphasizes the divine calling and purpose that can be recognized even before birth. It conveys God’s knowledge and personal identification with an individual from the womb. It reinforces the belief that every person has inherent worth and meaning, regardless of their stage of development. This verse inspires a recognition of the value and potential of every unborn child and affirms their right to life.
Galatians 1:15
“But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased”
Paul, in this verse, asserts that God has set him apart and called him from his mother’s womb. It demonstrates that God has a purpose for every individual’s life, starting from the womb. This verse affirms the significance and value of unborn children, as God is directly involved in their formation and has a plan for their lives. It challenges any notion that the worth or value of a person is determined solely by their stage of development or age.
Psalm 22:10
“From birth I was cast on You; from my mother’s womb You have been my God.”
This verse expresses a profound understanding of God’s involvement and care from the very beginning of a person’s life. It emphasizes the personal relationship and reliance on God that can exist even from the womb. This verse reinforces the truth that every unborn child has the potential for a relationship with God and is known and loved by Him. It underscores the importance of valuing and protecting the lives of unborn children as unique individuals created by God.
Psalm 51:5
“Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”
In this verse, the psalmist acknowledges the presence of sin in human nature even from the moment of conception. It testifies to the fact that unborn children possess intrinsic worth and dignity, despite being affected by the fallenness of humanity. This verse affirms that unborn children should not be treated as disposable or less deserving of protection, but instead recognized as individuals who need the love, grace, and redemption that Christ offers.
Proverbs 31:8-9
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
This passage serves as a call to advocate for those who are vulnerable and unable to speak for themselves. It emphasizes the importance of defending the rights and protecting the lives of the voiceless, including unborn children. This verse challenges believers to be the voice for the voiceless and to take a stand against any form of injustice or oppression, including the devaluation of unborn lives.
Matthew 18:5
“And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
This verse highlights the significance of welcoming and valuing children. Jesus teaches that when we embrace and show love to a child, we are also welcoming Him. This verse affirms the worth and value of every child, including unborn children, and calls believers to treat them with love, care, and respect. It emphasizes the need to create a society that cherishes and protects the lives of the youngest and most vulnerable among us.
Proverbs 6:16-17
“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.”
In this verse, shedding innocent blood is identified as one of the detestable things that God hates. This includes the shedding of innocent blood through abortion or any act that intentionally takes the life of an unborn child. This verse reinforces the belief that every unborn child has inherent worth and should not be subjected to harm or death. It stands as a reminder of God’s command to protect and preserve the sanctity of life from conception onwards.
Psalm 106:37-38
“They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to false gods. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood.”
This verse describes the tragic practice of child sacrifice to false gods in the ancient world. It serves as a warning against the taking of innocent lives, particularly the lives of children. This passage condemns those who engage in such practices and emphasizes the value of every human life, including the lives of unborn children. It calls individuals and societies to reject any form of child sacrifice or harm and to uphold the sanctity of life.
Matthew 5:21
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’”
This verse references one of the commandments from the Old Testament, “You shall not murder.” It reaffirms the inherent value and sanctity of human life. The prohibition against murder extends to the lives of unborn children as well, highlighting their right to life and the obligation to protect them from harm. This verse calls believers to uphold the commandments and to reject any action that would cause harm or end the life of an unborn child.
Mark 9:37
“‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.’”
Jesus speaks of the significance of welcoming and showing love to children. When we care for and embrace a child, we are also welcoming Jesus and the Father who sent Him. This verse affirms the value and importance of every child, born or unborn, and prompts believers to treat them with kindness, compassion, and respect. It emphasizes the need to protect and care for the lives of the most vulnerable members of society.
Proverbs 24:11-12
“Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’ does not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He who guards your life know it? Will He not repay everyone according to what they have done?”
This passage calls on believers to rescue those who are being led to their death and to intervene on behalf of those who are in danger. It exposes the injustice and cruelty of allowing innocent lives, including the lives of unborn children, to be destroyed. This verse emphasizes the responsibility to act and advocate for the protection of life, reminding believers that God sees and knows their hearts and actions. It also serves as a reminder that God will hold all accountable for their treatment of the vulnerable and defenseless.
Matthew 19:13-14
“Then people brought little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”
This passage recounts an incident where people brought little children to Jesus so that He would bless them. The disciples attempted to prevent them, but Jesus intervened and welcomed the children, indicating that the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. This verse recognizes the value and importance of children, affirming that they are not to be hindered or disregarded. It serves as a reminder of the need to protect and advocate for the lives of children, including unborn children, and to create an environment where they can flourish and experience the love of God.
What Does the Bible Say About Fetuses?
In the Bible, we are given the understanding that human life is sacred and valuable to God. Psalm 139:13-16 tells us that God knits us together in our mother’s womb and knows us even before we are born. This indicates that God has a purpose and a plan for each human life from the moment of conception.
In addition, we see in Jeremiah 1:5 that God knows us even before we are formed in the womb and has set us apart for a specific purpose. This suggests that life begins at conception and is ordained by God.
Furthermore, the Bible speaks about the protection of the unborn. Exodus 21:22-25 provides a scenario where if men were fighting and accidentally injure a pregnant woman, if there is harm to the woman or the child, there shall be an appropriate punishment. This indicates that God considers the life of the unborn as equal in value to the life of the mother.
As Christians, we are called to uphold the sanctity of life and to protect the vulnerable, including unborn children. Each fetus is a precious creation of God, and we are called to respect and honor their right to life. Therefore, we should seek to support and care for pregnant women and advocate for the protection of the unborn, as they are fearfully and wonderfully made by God.
