Children are a heritage of the LORD (Psalm 127:3). God forms life in the womb (Psalm 139:13-14); a woman's sorrow in travail turns to joy when a child is born (John 16:21); and Hannah said, For this child I prayed (1 Samuel 1:27). These verses bless childbirth and new babies—not birthdays.
Welcoming a newborn is one of life's holiest moments. These twelve King James passages celebrate God's gift of children, His forming work in the womb, and joy after labor—angled for childbirth and baby blessings. For celebration-of-age verses, see our birthdays page.
Children are God's gift
1. Psalms 127:3
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. A baby is received as God's gift, not an accident.
2. 1 Samuel 1:27
"For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:"
For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him. Hannah names answered prayer over her son.
3. Genesis 21:1-2
"And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him."
The LORD visited Sarah as he had said… For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age. God keeps promises of birth in His timing.
4. Ruth 4:13
"So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son."
So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. Conception is credited to the LORD's gift.
Formed in the womb
5. Psalms 139:13-14
"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
6. Psalms 71:6
"By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee."
By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.
7. Psalms 22:9-10
"But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly."
Thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts… thou art my God from my mother's belly.
8. Job 33:4
"The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life."
The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Every newborn's breath is from the Almighty.
Joy after travail
9. John 16:21
"A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world."
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow… but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
10. Isaiah 66:9
"Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God."
Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD. God is faithful to complete what He begins in birth.
11. Luke 1:41-42
"And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."
When Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb… Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
12. Luke 2:40
"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. After birth comes growth under God's grace—true of Jesus, and a blessing for every child.
A short prayer
Father, thank You for the gift of life and the fruit of the womb. Bless this mother and child; hold them from the womb onward; turn travail into joy; and let Your grace rest on this little one. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
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Frequently asked questions
What Bible verse is good for a new baby?
Psalm 127:3 (children are a heritage), Psalm 139:13-14 (fearfully and wonderfully made), and 1 Samuel 1:27 ("For this child I prayed") are favorites for baby blessings.
What verse speaks to childbirth pain and joy?
John 16:21: sorrow in travail turns to joy when a child is born into the world.
Is this page about birthday verses?
No—this page is for childbirth and newborn blessings. For birthday celebration verses, see Bible verses on birthdays.
Where does the Bible say children are a heritage of the Lord?
Psalm 127:3: "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses on birthdays · Bible verses about mothers · Bible verses about family · Bible verses about fearfully and wonderfully made · Bible verses about life
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
