Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Sexual Abuse?
20 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Sexual Abuse in the Bible
Explore what the Bible says about sexual abuse. This collection of 20 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.
Top 10 Verses About Sexual Abuse
- 1
- 2Leviticus 18:19
“Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.”
KJV - 3Psalms 9:9
“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. a refuge: Heb. an high place”
KJV - 4Psalms 55:23
“But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. bloody: Heb. men of bloods and deceit shall: Heb. shall not half their days”
KJV - 5Psalms 72:4
“He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.”
KJV - 6Psalms 82:3
“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Defend: Heb. Judge”
KJV - 7Ecclesiastes 4:1
“So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. side: Heb. hand”
KJV - 8Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. relieve: or, righten”
KJV - 9Isaiah 10:1
“Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; that write: or, to the writers that write grievousness”
KJV - 10Amos 5:12
“For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. a bribe: or, a ransom”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Sexual Abuse? (11 Verses)
“The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.”
“Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.”
“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. a refuge: Heb. an high place”
“But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. bloody: Heb. men of bloods and deceit shall: Heb. shall not half their days”
“He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.”
“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Defend: Heb. Judge”
“So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. side: Heb. hand”
“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. relieve: or, righten”
“Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; that write: or, to the writers that write grievousness”
“For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. a bribe: or, a ransom”
“Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Sexual Abuse? (9 Verses)
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
“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 the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
“Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.”
“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.”
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted , to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”
“So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.”
“Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. strange: Gr. other”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Sexual 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 sexual 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 sexual 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 sexual 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 sexual abuse needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about sexual 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 sexual 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 Sexual Abuse?
You have studied 20 verses about sexual abuse. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.