Bible Verses About Abortion

Bible passages about the sanctity of life, when life begins, and the value of the unborn in God's eyes.

King James Version
13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Psalms 139:13-16
5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Jeremiah 1:5
22If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, 24Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
Exodus 21:22-25
7And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 2:7
15Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
Job 31:15
2Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.
Isaiah 44:2
41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
Luke 1:41
44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Luke 1:44
3Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalms 127:3
6Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Genesis 9:6
16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Proverbs 6:16-17

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about when life begins?

Psalm 139:13-16 describes God forming the unborn child in the womb and knowing them before birth. Jeremiah 1:5 says God knew and set apart the prophet before he was born. Luke 1:41-44 describes John the Baptist leaping in the womb. These passages lead many Christians to believe personhood begins at conception, though the Bible does not explicitly state the moment life begins.

Does the Bible directly address abortion?

The Bible does not use the word 'abortion' or explicitly address the modern medical procedure. Christians draw conclusions from broader principles: the sanctity of life (Genesis 9:6), God's knowledge of the unborn (Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:5), and laws about harm to a pregnant woman (Exodus 21:22-25). The interpretation of Exodus 21:22-25 is particularly debated regarding whether it treats the fetus as a full person.

What are the different Christian views on abortion?

Most Christian traditions oppose elective abortion based on the sanctity of life. However, views differ on exceptions for rape, incest, and maternal health. Some hold that all abortion is wrong in every circumstance. Others allow exceptions in extreme cases while opposing abortion generally. A smaller number of Christians emphasize the complexity of difficult circumstances and the role of individual conscience guided by prayer.