Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Illegitimate Children?

8 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Illegitimate Children in the Bible

Explore what the Bible says about illegitimate children. This collection of 9 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.

8
Total Verses
5
Old Testament
3
New Testament

Top 8 Verses About Illegitimate Children

  1. 1
    Deuteronomy 23:2
    A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Psalms 23:1
    A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Psalms 27:10
    When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. take: Heb. gather me
    KJV
  4. 4
    Psalms 127:3
    Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
    KJV
  5. 5
    Isaiah 59:2
    But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. have hid: or, have made him hide
    KJV
  6. 6
    Luke 12:1
    In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
    KJV
  7. 7
    Galatians 4:28
    Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
    KJV
  8. 8
    Hebrews 12:8
    But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Illegitimate Children? (5 Verses)

A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. take: Heb. gather me
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. have hid: or, have made him hide

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Illegitimate Children? (3 Verses)

In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Illegitimate Children

  1. 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. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about illegitimate children. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 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. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about illegitimate children 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 illegitimate children 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 illegitimate children needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about illegitimate children 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 illegitimate children, 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 Illegitimate Children?

You have studied 8 verses about illegitimate children. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about illegitimate children?
Explore what the Bible says about illegitimate children. This collection of 9 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme. The Bible contains 8 key verses about illegitimate children spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about illegitimate children are there?
There are 8 key Bible verses about illegitimate children compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about illegitimate children?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about illegitimate children is Deuteronomy 23:2 — "A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD."
Where in the Bible does it talk about illegitimate children?
Illegitimate Children is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 8 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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