Bible Verses About Family

Family is one of God's first and dearest gifts. These verses about family guide homes toward love, faith and unity.

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD — spoken after Joshua invites the nation to choose otherwise. It is a declaration about a household, made publicly.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” — Psalm 133:1 (KJV)

How good and how pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity — a pilgrim song sung by families travelling to Jerusalem. The setting is literal togetherness on a road.

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” — 1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV)

He that provideth not for his own hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel. The context is caring for widows in one's own family before the church does.

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” — Exodus 20:12 (KJV)

Honour thy father and thy mother is the first commandment with a promise attached. It appears among duties to God rather than among social rules.

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” — Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (KJV)

Teach them diligently, talking of them when thou sittest, walkest, liest down and risest up. Instruction is located in ordinary hours rather than lessons.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” — Ephesians 6:1-3 (KJV)

Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right — Paul addresses children directly in a letter read aloud. He assumes they are in the room.

“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” — Colossians 3:20-21 (KJV)

Children obey, and fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged. The obligation runs in both directions in consecutive verses.

“Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.” — Proverbs 17:6 (KJV)

Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children are their fathers. Honour is described as flowing up and down the generations.

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” — Genesis 18:19 (KJV)

I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him — God's stated reason for choosing Abraham. Household formation is treated as the point.

“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” — 2 Timothy 1:5 (KJV)

Faith dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois and thy mother Eunice — Paul names three generations. Nothing is said about the men in that family.

“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:” — Ruth 1:16 (KJV)

Whither thou goest, I will go — said by a widowed foreigner to her widowed mother-in-law. It is the strongest family loyalty statement in Scripture and it is not by blood.

“One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” — 1 Timothy 3:4-5 (KJV)

One that ruleth well his own house, for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church. Home is treated as the qualifying test.

“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” — Proverbs 15:17 (KJV)

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. The proverb prices atmosphere above provision.

“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;” — Psalm 103:17 (KJV)

His righteousness unto children's children, to such as keep his covenant. Mercy is described as running along family lines through time.

“He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.” — Proverbs 11:29 (KJV)

He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind — a blunt statement of what domestic conflict produces. Inheriting wind means ending with nothing.

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” — Proverbs 31:28 (KJV)

Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. The portrait ends in the household's own verdict rather than an outsider's.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about family?

The 16 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on family: Joshua 24:15, Psalm 133:1, 1 Timothy 5:8, Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Ephesians 6:1-3, Colossians 3:20-21, Proverbs 17:6, Genesis 18:19, 2 Timothy 1:5, Ruth 1:16, 1 Timothy 3:4-5, Proverbs 15:17, Psalm…

What is a good Bible verse about family?

Joshua 24:15 is the passage most often quoted on family, with Psalm 133:1 and 1 Timothy 5:8 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these family verses?

You can read all of these verses about family — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.