29 Beautiful Bible Verses about Mothers that Will Honor Mothers in Your Life
- Heather Riggleman GodUpdates Contributor
- Updated May 12, 2023
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world or so William Ross Wallace says.
When we become mothers, we give up our lives, our sleep, showers, and our bodies. Like Jesus’ selfless act that marred His feet, hands, and side—mothers are marked with stretch marks, tears, and scars from the stitches. These simple marks identify how we unhusk our lives to selflessly give all of ourselves over to the task of partnering with God to raise up the next generation. God had a lot to say about the role of a mother, there are dozens upon dozens of Bible verses about mothers. With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, going to the Good Book to reiterate, “I love you,” will honor mothers in your life. Whether the mothers in your life are grandmothers, bonus moms, family friend, or adopted mom, the Bible is filled with treasures of Scripture.
8 Beautiful Verses About Mothers
These verses are perfect for Mother’s Day or any occasion. She will appreciate being honored with Scripture that reminds her she is seen, loved, and cherished. There’s no shortage of Mother’s Day Bible verses to get in the spiritual mindset or to lift her up. Here are twelve beautiful verses to honor your mother or grandmother.
Proverbs 17:6: “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”
Proverbs 31:25: "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
Proverbs 31:26: "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."
Proverbs 31:28–29: "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'"
Proverbs 31:31: "Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
John 16:21: "A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world."
Deuteronomy 6:6–7: "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Luke 2:51: "And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart."
Bible Verses about Mothers - What the Bible Says
The Bible first tells us about Eve, the first mother on earth. Although she had her faults, she took care of her husband, her children, and dedicated her life to the Lord. From Genesis to Revelation, motherhood is spoken throughout Scripture as an important and high calling. Children are considered a gift, a blessing from the lord, and a reward. This mother-child relationship is intended to bring joy and happiness (Psalm 139:5-9).
In Hebrew and Greek, the word mother means mother but with a twist. Hebrew adds, “parting, point of departure, division,” and in Greek, we find “source of something.” In other words, birth is the point of departure from a mother as she gives life. The Bible goes on to teach that it is vital for moms to be women of faith who teach children to love the Lord. In Titus 2:3-4, the Bible list being a mother as a high calling. When the apostle Paul wrote to encourage Timothy as he led the church in Ephesus, he described Timothy’s faith heritage this way: “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well”(2 Tim. 1:5) because they dedicated their time, efforts, and energy into raising up Timothy as a man of faith—together. Titus goes on to say to the older women to teach the younger women to love their husbands and children because he valued how he was raised. He also realized through his upbringing mothers and grandmothers fill a unique and crucial role in our society, and children need their mothers for their well-being.
Characteristics of a Godly Mother
Not only does the Bible speak highly of mothers, but they are also an important part of raising up the next generation and having an impact on society. Mothers are characterized by many different ways like beauty, wealth, and accomplishments, but the most important quality is a mother who loves the Lord. This doesn’t mean perfection; it means she honors the Lord as best as she can in all she does. No mother will have all of these qualities but here are a few:
A godly mother prays and reads the Word of God. She obeys God in all she does.
She’s learned to trust God with all her needs. A godly mother has an attitude of persistence.
She is an encourager.
A goldy mother loves unconditionally.
7 Bible Verses about Family
Being a part of a family is a precious gift amidst the imperfections. Bible verses about family unity are great for reminding your loved ones what’s truly important year-round. A Bible verse about family is always a great reminder about how you feel toward the most important people in your life. Consider the following Bible verses about family’s strength, unity, and love.
Ezekiel 16:44: "Behold, everyone who uses proverbs will use this proverb about you: 'Like mother, like daughter.'"
Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Psalm 133:1: "How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!"
3 John 1:4: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
Psalm 127:3: "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."
Exodus 20:12: "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."
Proverbs 1:8-9: "Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck."
6 Bible Verses to Comfort a Mother’s Loss
No mother is ever prepared to lose a child, but sadly many do because of tragic circumstances like a car accident, illness, suicide, or in perhaps the toughest of all—in the womb. She carries a heaviness that her body failed her, and she couldn’t keep her child safe. No matter the circumstances, she wants to be able to talk about what might have been and the dreams she had. A wonderful way to honor her, give her courage, and hope is a thoughtful verse on how God sees her, knows her, and he’s holding that child close for her.
Isaiah 66:13: "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem."
Psalm 139:13-16: "For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them."
Psalm 34:18: "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Psalm 56:8: "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book."
Isaiah 55:8-11: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
8 Hope-Filled Bible Verses for Mothers
Every mom knows what it’s like to be the captain of a sinking ship. There are dishes in the sink, her boss pushed up deadlines on a project, her kids are bickering, and supper just overflowed onto the stove. But this is the beautiful mess of motherhood. She is doing her best to thrive in chaos and bring her kids on that journey too. Here are some great scriptures to offer hope!
Jeremiah 29:11: “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.”
Philippians 1:3: “I thank my God every time I remember you.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Psalm 56:3: "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you."
Isaiah 40:31: “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 31:24: “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!”
Honoring the mothers in your life can bring a mix of emotions, and that’s okay. Considering all the Scriptures listed above, one or two of them are bound to make an impact on your heart. Consider adding these to a card or even engraved on a piece of jewelry. Mothers have an overwhelming task of raising up the next generation and they love their children more than life itself. It’s important to honor, praise, and affirm her. As mothers, we sometimes lose sight of how we are cherished in the midst of chores, toddler tantrums, sassy teens, and the day-to-day busyness. Make sure you give her life-giving words to remind her how much she is loved.
Further Reading
Bible Verses about Mothers: The Biblical Importance of Motherhood
40 Mother’s Day Bible Verses - Thank Your Mom and Encourage Her
Photo credit: ©Getty-MoMo-Productions
Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.