bible verses about children

Bible Verses About Children: 12 Scriptures

Bible verses about children: 12 Scriptures on children as a heritage, childlike faith, blessing the young, and teaching the next generation.

Illustrated portrait of Christopher McAllister

By Christopher McAllister

Founder of theBibleand.Love

Published September 29, 2026Updated October 21, 20265 min readPsalm 127:3 (NIV)

An adult kneels to share bread with a child in a courtyard while other children play near a well.

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him."

— Psalm 127:3 (NIV)

People who search bible verses about children want Scripture for the young — gift language, blessing, childlike trust, and the work of teaching. This page is a numbered list of twelve passages with the NIV text and a short note on each. The wider essay sits under Love and children. Related lists: Bible verses about love for children, Bible verses about parents, Bible verses about family, and Bible verses about a mother's love. Children here means the young as gift and charge — distinct from the parental-duty focus in Bible verses about parents and the affection-focused list in Bible verses about love for children. The love of the household those children belong to is Bible verses about family love.

Word study (lead theme). In Greek, "child" is often τέκνον teknon (Strong's G5043) — child, descendant, son or daughter. See also Bible Hub G5043. In Hebrew, בֵּן ben (Strong's H1121; Bible Hub H1121) means son, child, member of a class or household.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalm 127 ties children to blessing: "In all the affairs and business of a family we must depend upon his blessing… For raising a family" (Bible Hub commentaries on Psalm 127:3; fuller MHC at Bible Hub MHC Psalm 127). On Deuteronomy 6 he presses careful teaching: "The religious education of children. Often repeat these things to them. Be careful and exact in teaching thy children" (Bible Hub commentaries on Deuteronomy 6:6; Bible Hub MHC Deuteronomy 6).

12 Bible verses about children

  1. Genesis 33:5. "Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. 'Who are these with you?' he asked. Jacob answered, 'They are the children God has graciously given your servant.'" Children are named as gracious gifts, not trophies. See Love and children.

  2. Psalm 127:3-5. "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them…" Heritage, reward, arrows — strength for the years ahead.

  3. Mark 10:16. "And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them." Jesus does not only welcome children; he takes them up and blesses them.

  4. Matthew 18:3-4. "And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" Childlike humility is the kingdom posture.

  5. Proverbs 20:11. "Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?" Character shows early — conduct is already a witness.

  6. Isaiah 54:13. "All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace." The Lord's teaching of children brings peace, not only information.

  7. Matthew 21:15-16. "But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, 'Hosanna to the Son of David,' they were indignant. 'Do you hear what these children are saying?' they asked him. 'Yes,' replied Jesus, 'have you never read, "From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise"?'" Children's praise is welcomed when adults are angry.

  8. Joel 1:3. "Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation." Memory of God's works is a multi-generation charge.

  9. Proverbs 13:22. "A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous." Care for children looks past one generation.

  10. Psalm 8:2. "Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger." Weak mouths establish a stronghold — God uses children's praise.

  11. Deuteronomy 11:19. "Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Teaching fills ordinary hours, not only formal lessons.

  12. 1 Samuel 1:27-28. "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord…" Hannah's gift returns the child to God. See Love and children and Bible verses about parents.

How to use these verses

Pick one verse for a dedication, a hard parenting night, or a prayer for a child — not twelve. Read it out loud. If you need gift language, start with Psalm 127:3-5 or Genesis 33:5. If you need Jesus's welcome, start with Mark 10:16. If you need the essay that frames love and children, read Love and children. For parental honor and duty, see Bible verses about parents. For hope in a family trial, see Bible verses about hope. For a daily verse, open Bible verse of the day.

Questions people ask

What is a good Bible verse about children?

Psalm 127:3 (heritage from the Lord), Mark 10:16 (Jesus blesses them), and Matthew 18:3-4 (become like little children) are clear starting places.

What does the Bible mean by children as a heritage?

They are a gift and a charge from God — not a private project. Greek teknon (G5043) and Hebrew ben (H1121) name the child of the house. Henry: family raising depends on God's blessing.

How is this different from "love for children" or "parents"?

Bible verses about love for children stresses affection and care. Bible verses about parents stresses honor and parental duty. This page centers children as heritage, blessing, and learners.

What if we are waiting for children or grieving a child?

Psalm 127 still names the Lord as the giver. Pair gift language with Bible verses about hope, Bible verses about grief, and Bible verses about healing.

Start with Love and children, then Bible verses about love for children, Bible verses about parents, and Bible verses about family. For raising and training as parents, see Bible verses about parenting. For a daily verse, open Bible verse of the day.

Sources

A mother shares bread with a child while a father stands near a well.

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