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Random Bible Verse About Family

Draw a verse about marriage, parents, children, and the wider household of faith.

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Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Genesis 2:24 KJV

How Scripture speaks about family

Families appear on almost every page of the Bible, and they are not idealized. Alongside the blessing of children and the joy of a good marriage, you find jealous brothers, grieving parents, and long estrangements. Jacob and Esau meet again with tears. Joseph forgives the brothers who sold him. These stories show that the Bible expects families to need forgiveness as much as affection.

The teaching passages fall into a few groups. Some describe marriage, from the creation account to Paul's letters. Some address parents and children, asking children to honor and parents to teach without provoking. Others speak of passing faith from one generation to the next, as Deuteronomy does when it tells parents to talk about God at home and on the road.

Family beyond blood

The New Testament also widens the picture. Jesus says those who do God's will are his brother, sister, and mother. Paul calls believers members of God's household, and the psalmist says God places the lonely in families. If your own family situation is painful or absent, these verses speak to you as well.

Ways to use a verse at home

Read one aloud at a meal and ask what it asks of each person.
Pick a verse for a birthday, anniversary, or new baby.
Use a passage on forgiveness or gentle answers before a hard conversation.

Remember too that the Bible's family instructions run in both directions. Children are told to honor, parents are told not to provoke, and husbands and wives are each given responsibilities, so no one person carries the whole load.

Some verses on this page were written for a particular culture and moment, so reading the surrounding passage is worth the extra minute. For other themes, try the Bible verse of the day, or use the Bible verse randomizer to draw from the whole text.

Verses in This Collection

Genesis 2:24 – Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
The Bible's first statement on marriage: a man leaves his parents, joins his wife, and the two become one flesh.
Genesis 1:28 – And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
God blesses the first humans and gives them the task of filling the earth and caring for it.
Genesis 18:19 – 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.
God chooses Abraham so that he will guide his children and household to follow God's way of justice.
Genesis 33:4 – And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.
Jacob, expecting anger, is instead met by Esau, who runs to embrace him; the estranged brothers weep together.
Genesis 45:4-5 – And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
Joseph reveals himself to the brothers who sold him and tells them not to be consumed by guilt.
Genesis 50:20 – But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Joseph tells his brothers that although they meant harm, God used it for good and to save many lives.
Exodus 20:12 – Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
The fifth of the Ten Commandments calls for honoring father and mother, with a promise attached.
Leviticus 19:3 – Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.
Part of Israel's holiness code, this pairs reverence for mother and father with keeping the Sabbath.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – 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.
God's words are to be taken to heart and taught to children throughout the ordinary rhythms of the day.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 – Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD : And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
The Shema calls Israel to love the Lord with all heart, soul, and might, the foundation for teaching children that follows.
Deuteronomy 11:19 – And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Moses repeats that parents should teach God's commands to their children at home, on the road, and at bedtime.
Joshua 24:15 – 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 tells Israel to choose whom they will serve, and declares that he and his household will serve the Lord.
Ruth 4:15 – And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
Neighbors tell Naomi that Ruth, her daughter-in-law, has been better to her than seven sons.
1 Samuel 1:27-28 – For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD ; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD . And he worshipped the LORD there.
Hannah, who had prayed for a child, brings her young son Samuel to serve the Lord at Shiloh.
Psalm 127:3 – Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD : and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Children are called a gift and reward from the Lord rather than something earned.
Psalm 127:1 – Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain; a reminder that a home depends on God.
Psalm 128:3 – Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
The psalm pictures a flourishing household: a fruitful wife and children around the table like young olive shoots.
Psalm 103:13 – Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
Psalm 68:6 – God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land .
God places the lonely in families and frees prisoners, while the rebellious live in a parched land.
Psalm 78:4 – We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD , and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
The psalmist pledges to pass on the praises of the Lord and his works to the next generation.
Psalm 133:1 – Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
A song celebrating how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.
Psalm 112:1-2 – Praise ye the LORD . Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD , that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Those who fear the Lord and delight in his commands are blessed, and their descendants will be strong.
Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Train a child in the way he should go, and he will not leave it when old; a general principle, not a guarantee.
Proverbs 1:8 – My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
A father urges his son to listen to his instruction and not discard his mother's teaching.
Proverbs 6:20 – My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Another call to heed a father's commands and a mother's teaching, which the chapter says will guide and protect.
Proverbs 10:1 – The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
A wise child gives his father joy, while a foolish one grieves his mother.
Proverbs 13:22 – A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
A good person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren, a reminder to think across generations.
Proverbs 14:1 – Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
A wise woman builds up her household, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
A gentle answer defuses anger, while harsh words stir it up; useful advice for family arguments.
Proverbs 15:17 – Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
A simple meal where love is present beats a feast served with hatred.
Proverbs 17:1 – Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
A dry crust eaten in peace is better than a house full of feasting amid quarreling.
Proverbs 17:6 – Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and children take pride in their parents.
Proverbs 18:22 – Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing , and obtaineth favour of the LORD .
The one who finds a wife finds something good and receives favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 19:14 – House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD .
Houses and wealth can be inherited from parents, but a wise spouse is a gift from the Lord.
Proverbs 20:7 – The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
A person of integrity leaves his children blessed by the example he sets.
Proverbs 23:22 – Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
Listen to your father, and do not look down on your mother when she grows old.
Proverbs 23:24-25 – The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
Parents rejoice greatly in a righteous, wise child, and the proverb invites children to give them that joy.
Proverbs 31:10 – Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The famous portrait of a capable wife begins by saying she is worth far more than jewels.
Proverbs 31:26-28 – She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also , and he praiseth her.
This wife speaks wisely and kindly, manages her household diligently, and her children and husband praise her.
Proverbs 24:3-4 – Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
A household is built by wisdom and understanding, and filled with good things through knowledge.
Proverbs 13:24 – He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
The proverb says loving parents discipline their children diligently, treating correction as a form of care.
Proverbs 3:11-12 – My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD ; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
A father's correction of a child he delights in is used as a picture of how the Lord disciplines those he loves.
Song of Solomon 8:7 – Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.
Flood waters cannot drown love, and its worth cannot be bought; a poetic statement on committed love.
Malachi 4:6 – And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
The final promise of the Old Testament says God will turn parents' hearts toward children and children's toward parents.
Isaiah 49:15 – Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
God says he is more constant than a nursing mother, who could forget her child while he never forgets his people.
Isaiah 66:13 – As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
God promises to comfort his people as a mother comforts her child.
Matthew 19:5-6 – And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Jesus quotes Genesis on marriage and adds that what God has joined, people should not separate.
Matthew 12:50 – For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Jesus says that whoever does his Father's will is his brother, sister, and mother, widening the idea of family.
Matthew 7:11 – If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
If imperfect parents give their children good gifts, Jesus says the heavenly Father gives even more.
Mark 10:14 – But when Jesus saw it , he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Jesus is indignant when disciples hinder children and says the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Mark 10:9 – What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
In his teaching on marriage, Jesus says that what God has joined together, no one should divide.
Luke 2:51 – And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
After the temple visit, the twelve-year-old Jesus goes home with his parents and is obedient to them.
Luke 15:20 – And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
The father of the lost son sees him far off and runs to welcome him home.
John 19:26-27 – When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
From the cross Jesus entrusts his mother to the beloved disciple, who takes her into his home.
Acts 16:31 – And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Paul and Silas tell the Philippian jailer to believe in Jesus, promising salvation to him and his household.
Acts 10:2 – A devout man , and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
Cornelius, a Roman centurion, is described as devout, God-fearing with his whole household, generous, and prayerful.
Romans 12:18 – If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Ephesians 5:25 – Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Paul tells husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
Ephesians 5:33 – Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Paul sums up his marriage teaching: husbands should love wives as themselves, and wives should respect husbands.
Ephesians 6:1-3 – 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.
Children are to obey their parents in the Lord and honor them, echoing the fifth commandment.
Ephesians 6:4 – And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Fathers are told not to exasperate their children but to raise them with the Lord's training and instruction.
Ephesians 5:22 – Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Paul's marriage instruction begins with wives submitting to their husbands as to the Lord, part of a mutual-respect passage.
Ephesians 2:19 – Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Gentile believers are no longer outsiders but fellow citizens and members of God's household.
Colossians 3:18-19 – Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Wives are to support their husbands, and husbands are to love their wives and not be harsh with them.
Colossians 3:20-21 – 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.
Children should obey parents, and fathers should not embitter their children, so they won't lose heart.
Colossians 3:13-14 – Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Bear with one another, forgive as the Lord forgave you, and put on love, which holds everything together.
1 Timothy 5:8 – 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.
Paul says providing for one's relatives, especially one's own household, is part of living out the faith.
1 Timothy 5:4 – But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
Adult children and grandchildren should first care for their widowed relatives at home, repaying their parents.
1 Timothy 3:4-5 – 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?)
A church overseer should manage his own household well, since that shows whether he can care for God's church.
2 Timothy 1:5 – 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.
Paul recalls the sincere faith of Timothy, shared first by his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 – But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them ; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Timothy is urged to continue in what he learned, having known the Scriptures since childhood.
1 Peter 3:7 – Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Husbands are told to live considerately with their wives and honor them as fellow heirs of grace.
1 Peter 3:8 – Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Peter calls the whole community to be like-minded, sympathetic, compassionate, and humble.
1 Peter 4:8 – And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Keep loving one another earnestly, because love covers many sins.
1 Thessalonians 2:7 – But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
Paul compares his gentle care for the Thessalonians to a nursing mother caring for her children.
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 – As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Paul says he treated each believer like a father with his children, encouraging and urging them to live worthily.
1 John 3:1 – Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
John marvels at the love the Father has given, so that we are called God's children.
Galatians 4:6 – And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Because believers are God's children, he sends the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Galatians 6:10 – As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men , especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Do good to everyone as opportunity arises, especially to the household of faith.
Hebrews 12:7 – If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Enduring hardship can be seen as a father's discipline, treating us as his own children.
Romans 8:15 – For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Believers have received a spirit of adoption, not fear, so they can call God Father.
3 John 1:4 – I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
John says nothing gives him greater joy than hearing that his spiritual children are walking in the truth.
Job 1:5 – And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
Job offers sacrifices for his adult children after their feasts, in case they have sinned, showing a parent's care.
Hebrews 11:7 – By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Noah, warned by God, built an ark by faith to save his household.
Joel 1:3 – Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.
Tell your children about this event, and let them tell theirs, so it is passed down through generations.
Isaiah 54:13 – And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD ; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
God promises that all of Zion's children will be taught by the Lord and have great peace.

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