What Does the Bible Say About Stillborn Babies?

Psalm 139:13-16 ESV / 72 helpful votes

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Galatians 1:15 ESV / 63 helpful votes

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,

Ecclesiastes 6:3-5 ESV / 63 helpful votes

If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life's good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he.

Isaiah 49:1 ESV / 56 helpful votes

Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.

Luke 1:44 ESV / 51 helpful votes

For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

Job 12:10 ESV / 40 helpful votes

In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.

Matthew 19:14 ESV / 39 helpful votes

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:14 ESV / 37 helpful votes

So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 18:10 ESV / 37 helpful votes

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

2 Samuel 12:22-23 ESV / 37 helpful votes

He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 ESV / 35 helpful votes

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

Mark 10:13-16 ESV / 28 helpful votes

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

1 Samuel 1:27-28 ESV / 25 helpful votes

For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

Job 10:8-12 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Your hands fashioned and made me, and now you have destroyed me altogether. Remember that you have made me like clay; and will you return me to the dust? Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese? You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 ESV / 16 helpful votes

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ...

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 15 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ...

Job 19:25-26 ESV / 13 helpful votes

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,

Psalm 139:1-24 ESV / 11 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. ...

Psalm 139:13 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

Jeremiah 1:5 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Romans 8:28-31 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

John 3:22 ESV / 5 helpful votes

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Ephesians 2:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Mark 9:36-37 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Ecclesiastes 11:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.

Ecclesiastes 6:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life's good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.

Ecclesiastes 6:1-12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil. If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life's good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he. ...

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Psalm 58:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime, like the stillborn child who never sees the sun.

Psalm 23:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

James 1:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

John 16:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

John 14:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 3:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

Luke 23:43 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 1:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,

Mark 10:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Mark 10:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Isaiah 54:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.

Ecclesiastes 6:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living?

Ecclesiastes 6:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. ...

Psalm 139:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

Psalm 8:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

Job 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Or why was I not as a hidden stillborn child, as infants who never see the light?

2 Samuel 12:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

1 Samuel 1:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him.

Joshua 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Exodus 21:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine.

Exodus 21:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.

Genesis 2:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Genesis 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.

Genesis 1:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Genesis 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

62 Bible Verses about Stillborn Babies

Psalm 139:13-16 ESV / 72 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 1:15 ESV / 63 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 6:3-5 ESV / 63 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 49:1 ESV / 56 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 1:44 ESV / 51 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 12:10 ESV / 40 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 19:14 ESV / 39 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:14 ESV / 37 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:10 ESV / 37 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Samuel 12:22-23 ESV / 37 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 ESV / 35 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 10:13-16 ESV / 28 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 1:27-28 ESV / 25 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 10:8-12 ESV / 19 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 19:25-26 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 139:1-24 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 139:13 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 1:5 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:28-31 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:22 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 9:36-37 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 11:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 6:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 6:1-12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 58:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 23:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 16:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 23:43 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 1:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 10:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 10:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 54:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 6:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 6:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 5:1-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 139:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 8:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Samuel 12:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 1:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Joshua 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 21:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 21:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 1:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)