25 Bible Verses About Having Children (With Commentary)
Children are a blessing, and the Bible has much to say about this gift of parenthood. Join us on a journey through heartwarming scriptures that celebrate the joys, responsibilities, and divine purpose of having children.
Bible Verses About Having Children
Genesis 1:28
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
This verse highlights God’s command to Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply. It emphasizes the importance of procreation and having children as part of God’s design for humanity.
Psalm 127:3
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.
This verse depicts children as a blessing and gift from God. It acknowledges that they are precious and valuable, not only to their parents but also in God’s eyes.
Genesis 33:5
Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.”
In this verse, Jacob refers to his children as gifts graciously given by God. It serves as a reminder that children are a reflection of God’s grace and goodness in our lives.
Psalm 128:3
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
This verse paints a picture of a blessed and prosperous family where children are compared to thriving olive shoots. It highlights the joy and abundance that children bring to a household.
Genesis 48:9
“Bring them to me so I may bless them,” said Israel, crossing his arms to put his right hand on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.
In this verse, Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. It showcases the significance of generational blessings and the importance of children in carrying on the family’s spiritual heritage.
Psalm 113:9
He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord.
This verse acknowledges God’s ability to bring joy and fulfillment to the lives of those who desire children. God has the power to transform barrenness into blessing, granting the longing for motherhood.
Proverbs 17:6
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
This verse emphasizes the value of grandchildren and highlights the honor that comes with seeing the legacy of your children passed down to another generation. It depicts a beautiful family dynamic and the blessings of strong family ties.
Mark 10:14
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
In this verse, Jesus reminds His disciples of the importance of children and their place in the kingdom of God. It emphasizes the need to value and nurture the faith of children, recognizing their innocence and purity.
1 Timothy 5:14
So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.
This verse offers practical advice, highlighting the importance of women having children as part of their role in managing their homes. It acknowledges the significance of children in creating a secure and loving environment for the family.
Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
This verse emphasizes the responsibility of parents to raise their children in the ways of the Lord. It acknowledges the long-term impact of parental guidance and instruction, suggesting that it will shape their children’s faith even into adulthood.
Psalms 103:17-18
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
This verse highlights the enduring love of the Lord for those who fear Him and keep His commandments. It assures that this love and righteousness will extend to their children and future generations as they continue to walk in God’s ways.
Matthew 18:2-3
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Here, Jesus uses the example of a child to illustrate the humility and innocence required to enter the kingdom of heaven. It reminds us of the simplicity and faith-like trust that children possess, urging us to adopt a childlike faith in our relationship with God.
Proverbs 13:22
A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
This verse speaks to the significance of generational wealth and the impact parents can have on the financial well-being of their children and grandchildren. It encourages responsible stewardship and a mindset of leaving a godly legacy for future generations.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
This verse highlights the importance of teaching God’s commandments to our children. It encourages parents to be intentional about instructing their children in the ways of the Lord at every opportunity, fostering a deep and lasting faith.
Psalm 78:4
We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.
Here, the psalmist emphasizes the duty to pass on the stories and testimonies of God’s faithfulness to the next generation. It emphasizes the role of parents in sharing God’s goodness and faithfulness to their children, ensuring that the stories of God’s works are not lost but continue to inspire future generations.
3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
In this verse, the apostle John expresses the joy and fulfillment he experiences when he hears that his spiritual children are living according to the truth of God’s Word. It emphasizes the great satisfaction that comes from seeing the younger generation grow in their faith.
Matthew 19:14
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 verse reinforces the idea that children are welcomed and valued in the kingdom of heaven. It emphasizes the need to foster an environment where children can freely seek and encounter Jesus, without any hindrance or barrier.
Proverbs 29:17
Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.
This verse underscores the importance of parental discipline in shaping the behavior and character of children. It suggests that disciplining children with love and wisdom will result in peace and joy in the family.
Luke 18:16
But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
In this verse, Jesus reiterates the significance of children in the kingdom of God. It emphasizes the need to create an environment where children can freely approach Jesus and develop a personal relationship with Him.
Proverbs 23:24
The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.
This verse highlights the pride and joy that comes from raising righteous and wise children. It acknowledges the value of instilling godly wisdom in the next generation and the satisfaction that results from seeing them walk in righteousness.
1 Corinthians 7:14
For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
This verse offers encouragement to believers who are married to unbelievers. It assures them that their children are considered holy and set apart because of the influence of the believing spouse, highlighting the potential positive impact of a Christian upbringing.
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
This verse speaks directly to fathers, urging them to raise their children in a manner that is nurturing and instructive. It emphasizes the importance of teaching children about the ways of the Lord and providing them with godly guidance and discipline.
Proverbs 17:25
A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.
This verse illustrates the consequences of a wayward and foolish child on their parents. It highlights the disappointment and sorrow that can arise when children do not heed the wisdom and guidance given to them.
Psalm 78:5-7
He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
This verse emphasizes the role of parents in passing down God’s commands to future generations. It highlights the cyclical nature of faith, showing how the faithfulness of one generation can impact the belief of the next, leading them to trust in God and keep His commandments.
What Does the Bible Say About Having Children?
In the Bible, we see that God has a special place in His heart for children. We are told that children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). The Bible encourages us to be fruitful and multiply, indicating that having children is a part of God’s plan for us (Genesis 1:28).
Furthermore, Jesus also had a high regard for children and encouraged us to approach the Kingdom of God with a child-like faith (Luke 18:16). This shows us the value and importance of children in God’s eyes.
The Bible also instructs us to raise our children in the ways of the Lord, teaching them His commandments and guiding them in the paths of righteousness (Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4). This emphasizes the responsibility we have as parents to nurture and teach our children in the ways of God.
It’s important to note that while the Bible speaks highly of having children, it also acknowledges the pain of infertility and the desire for children in those who are unable to conceive (Genesis 25:21, 1 Samuel 1:10-20). In these instances, we are encouraged to bring our desires and struggles to God in prayer, trusting in His timing and His plans for our lives.
Ultimately, the Bible affirms the value of children and the call for us to embrace and care for them, whether they are our own biological children or others within our community.
