Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Child Abuse?
16 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Child Abuse in the Bible
What does the Bible say about child abuse? Browse 16 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.
Top 10 Verses About Child Abuse
- 1Exodus 21:22
“If 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.”
KJV - 2Exodus 23:7
“Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.”
KJV - 3Deuteronomy 27:25
“Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person . And all the people shall say, Amen.”
KJV - 4
- 5Psalms 137:9
“Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. the stones: Heb. the rock”
KJV - 6Proverbs 13:24
“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”
KJV - 7Proverbs 19:18
“Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. for: or, to his destruction: or, to cause him to die”
KJV - 8Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Train: or, Catechise in: Heb. in his way”
KJV - 9Proverbs 22:15
“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”
KJV - 10Matthew 18:6
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Child Abuse? (9 Verses)
“If 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.”
“Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.”
“Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person . And all the people shall say, Amen.”
“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”
“Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. the stones: Heb. the rock”
“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”
“Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. for: or, to his destruction: or, to cause him to die”
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Train: or, Catechise in: Heb. in his way”
“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Child Abuse? (7 Verses)
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
“And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.”
“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.”
“It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
“Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Child Abuse
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about child abuse. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about child abuse and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about child abuse is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on child abuse needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about child abuse with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about child abuse, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Child Abuse?
You have studied 16 verses about child abuse. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.