Overview
The Bible addresses mother across 34 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Proverbs, Matthew and Mark. Closely related themes include Young Men, Commandments, Parents and Ecclesiasticism. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Elijah, Solomon, Moses and Eunice.
Key Bible verses about mother
Old Testament
Exodus
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death. curseth: or, revileth
Leviticus
The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.
For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
Proverbs
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. lamp: or, candle
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
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.
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer. a destroyer: Heb. a man destroying
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. the valley: or, the brook
New Testament
Matthew
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mark
For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
People in the Bible and mother
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying mother for yourself
- Begin with Exodus 20:12, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Proverbs, Matthew and Mark each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Elijah, Solomon and Moses and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Young Men, Commandments, Parents and Ecclesiasticism.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about mother?
The Bible addresses mother across 34 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Proverbs, Matthew and Mark. Closely related themes include Young Men, Commandments, Parents and Ecclesiasticism. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Elijah, Solomon, Moses and Eunice.
How many Bible verses are about mother?
The Bible references mother in 34 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention mother?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is 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.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with mother?
Elijah, Solomon, Moses, Eunice and Lois.
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