The Bible does not address the topic of abortion directly with a specific verse that mentions the procedure by its modern name. However, it does provide principles that can guide understanding and decision-making regarding the sanctity of life.

One foundational principle is the value that God places on human life, including that of the unborn. Psalm 139:13-16 speaks to God’s intimate involvement in our creation: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Exodus 20:13 simply states, “You shall not murder,” underscoring the biblical command to value and protect life. The challenge often comes in applying these principles to complex modern situations, weighing the sanctity of life against concerns for health, well-being, and circumstances that can feel insurmountable.

In navigating such deeply personal and difficult decisions, it is crucial for individuals to seek guidance through prayer, reflection on scripture, and counsel from wise and compassionate believers who can offer support and understanding.

The Bible does not directly address the modern concept of abortion in explicit terms. The discussion around abortion and its moral implications is derived from broader biblical principles concerning the sanctity of life, God’s sovereignty over life and death, and the value of each individual, including those not yet born. Here are some related verses that contribute to the conversation:

1. Psalm 139:13-16 speaks to God’s intimate knowledge and crafting of an individual in the womb: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
2. Jeremiah 1:5 shows God’s foreknowledge and purpose for an individual even before birth: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
3. Exodus 21:22-25 discusses the consequences of causing harm to a pregnant woman and her unborn child, indicating the value of the unborn life: “If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.”
4. Luke 1:41, 44 recounts John the Baptist leaping in his mother Elizabeth’s womb when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, greets her. This passage is often cited to show the personhood and recognition of unborn children: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit…As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”

These passages are part of a larger biblical narrative that affirms the value and dignity of human life, including that of the unborn. Believers turn to these and other scriptures to discern God’s will and to guide their thoughts, attitudes, and actions regarding complex ethical issues like abortion. It is through prayerful consideration of the whole counsel of Scripture, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that Christians seek to understand and apply God’s principles to their lives and the world around them.