Scripture treasures infants: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes (Luke 2:12), He shall gather the lambs with his arm (Isaiah 40:11), out of the mouth of babes… hast thou ordained strength (Psalm 8:2), and Jesus took little children in His arms and blessed them (Mark 10:16).
Bible verses about infants and newborns suit baby dedications, hospital prayers, and blessing a babe in arms. These twelve King James passages celebrate God's care for the smallest—distinct from our birth page (childbirth and delivery) and kids page (teaching and raising children).
The babe and the blessing
1. Luke 2:12
"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. God entered the world as an infant—swaddled and small.
2. Mark 10:16
"And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them."
And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Jesus personally blessed little ones with touch and prayer.
3. Luke 18:15
"And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them."
And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them. Infants—not only older kids—were brought to Jesus.
4. Matthew 19:14
"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom welcomes the small.
God's care for the littlest
5. Isaiah 40:11
"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."
He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom. God carries the frail like a shepherd carries lambs.
6. Isaiah 49:15
"Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee."
Can a woman forget her sucking child…? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. God's memory of His own outlasts even a nursing mother's.
7. Psalms 8:2
"Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger."
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength. God ordains strength even from infants' mouths.
8. Matthew 18:10
"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones… their angels do always behold the face of my Father. Little ones are not to be despised.
Gift and breath of life
9. Genesis 33:5
"And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant."
The children which God hath graciously given thy servant. Children—including the youngest—are named as God's gracious gift.
10. 1 Samuel 1:27-28
"For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there."
For this child I prayed… therefore also I have lent him to the LORD. Hannah's newborn was answered prayer, then dedicated to God.
11. 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. God upholds from the earliest moments.
12. Job 31:15
"Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?"
Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb? One Creator fashions every infant with dignity.
A short prayer
Father, thank You for this infant—Your gracious gift. Gather this lamb in Your arms; bless this babe as Jesus blessed the little ones; and hold this family in Your care. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
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Frequently asked questions
What Bible verse is good for a newborn baby?
Luke 2:12, Isaiah 40:11, Psalm 8:2, and Mark 10:16 are often shared for infant blessing and dedication.
Did Jesus bless infants?
Yes—Mark 10:16 says He took them in His arms and blessed them; Luke 18:15 notes infants were brought to Him.
How is this different from Bible verses about birth or kids?
Birth focuses on childbirth and delivery; kids focuses on teaching children. This page is for newborns and infant blessing.
What verse suits a baby dedication?
1 Samuel 1:27-28 (this child I prayed for… lent to the LORD) and Mark 10:16 are fitting dedication readings.
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 birth · Bible verses for kids · Bible verses about mothers · Bible verses about family · Bible verses about dad
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