Scripture calls fathers to nurture without provocation (Ephesians 6:4), walk in integrity (Proverbs 20:7), teach God's words diligently (Deuteronomy 6:6-7), and reflect the Father's compassion (Psalm 103:13). Children's children are the crown of old men (Proverbs 17:6)—fatherhood is a lasting legacy.
Dads shape homes by presence, integrity, and teaching. These twelve King James passages honor fatherhood—God's fatherly heart, a dad's calling to instruct and bless, and the joy of generations. They pair well with Father's Day cards and prayers for earthly fathers. For moms, see our mothers page.
A father's charge
1. Ephesians 6:4
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Dads are called to nurture, not provoke.
2. Proverbs 4:1
"Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding."
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. A father's instruction is meant to be heard and kept.
3. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
These words… shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children. Fatherly discipleship happens in daily talk.
4. Genesis 18:19
"For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him."
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD. Abraham models household leadership.
Integrity and compassion
5. Proverbs 20:7
"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him."
The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. A dad's integrity becomes a blessing to his kids.
6. Psalms 103:13
"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him."
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. Earthly fatherly compassion mirrors God's pity.
7. Proverbs 3:11-12
"My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."
Despise not the chastening of the LORD… for whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
8. Luke 15:20
"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Legacy and turning hearts
9. Proverbs 22:6
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Early training is a father's long investment.
10. Joshua 24:15
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. A dad can set the household's spiritual direction.
11. Proverbs 17:6
"Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers."
Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. Generations crown faithful fatherhood.
12. Malachi 4:6
"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers. God cares about healed father-child hearts.
A short prayer
Father in heaven, thank You for the gift of dads. Help every father nurture without wrath, walk in integrity, and teach Your words at home. Turn hearts of fathers to children, and children to fathers. 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 dad?
Ephesians 6:4, Psalm 103:13, Proverbs 20:7, and Joshua 24:15 are among the most shared for Father's Day and honoring dads.
Where does the Bible say provoke not your children?
Ephesians 6:4: fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
What verse is "as for me and my house"?
Joshua 24:15: "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
How does God show fatherly love?
Psalm 103:13 compares the LORD's pity to a father's compassion. Luke 15 shows a father running to welcome a returning son.
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 about mothers · Bible verses about family · Bible verses about love · Bible verses about humility · Bible verses about faith
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