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What the Bible Says About Husbands

Overview

The Bible addresses husbands across 26 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Ephesians, Matthew and Genesis. Closely related themes include Husband, Christ is God, Union With Christ and Divorce. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Jacob, Leah and Rachel.

Key Bible verses about husbands

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 19:3

The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

Matthew 19:4

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

Matthew 19:5

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?

Matthew 19:6

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Matthew 19:7

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

Matthew 19:8

He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

Matthew 19:9

And I say unto you Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

Ephesians

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Ephesians 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Ephesians 5:27

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:28

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Ephesians 5:29

For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Ephesians 5:30

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Ephesians 5:31

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Ephesians 5:32

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

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.

People in the Bible and husbands

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying husbands for yourself

  • Begin with Genesis 31:4, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Ephesians, Matthew and Genesis each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Moses, Jacob and Leah and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Husband, Christ is God, Union With Christ and Divorce.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about husbands?

The Bible addresses husbands across 26 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Ephesians, Matthew and Genesis. Closely related themes include Husband, Christ is God, Union With Christ and Divorce. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Jacob, Leah and Rachel.

How many Bible verses are about husbands?

The Bible references husbands in 26 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention husbands?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 31:4: “And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,”

Which people in the Bible are associated with husbands?

Moses, Jacob, Leah and Rachel.

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