Scripture frames romantic love as covenantal and faithful: love is strong as death (Song of Solomon 8:6), many waters cannot quench it (Song of Solomon 8:7), a man leaves and cleaves (Genesis 2:24), and Ruth's vow models loyal belonging (Ruth 1:16-17). Dating and courtship are aimed toward faithful commitment before God.
Looking for Bible verses about love and relationship in a romantic or dating sense? These twelve King James passages focus on faithful romance, courtship toward covenant, and delight in a beloved—distinct from our general love page (charity and God's love) and our relationship page (friendship and wise companionship).
Love strong as death
1. Song of Solomon 8:6
"Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame."
Set me as a seal upon thine heart… for love is strong as death. Romantic love in Scripture is serious, sealing, and life-deep—not casual.
2. Song of Solomon 8:7
"Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned."
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it. True love endures pressure; it cannot be bought with all one's substance.
3. Song of Solomon 2:16
"My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies."
My beloved is mine, and I am his. Mutual belonging is the language of godly romance.
4. Song of Solomon 2:4
"He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love."
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Love is the open banner under which the beloved stands.
Leaving, cleaving, and loyal vows
5. Genesis 2:24
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Dating and courtship look toward this leaving-and-cleaving union.
6. Matthew 19:5
"And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?"
Jesus reaffirms leave, cleave, and one flesh. Romantic faith follows His design for joining two lives.
7. Ruth 1:16-17
"And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."
Whither thou goest, I will go… thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Loyal vows—rooted in faith—shape lasting relationships.
8. Mark 10:7-9
"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."
Leave, cleave, one flesh—and what God joins, let not man put asunder. Romance is aimed at a God-joined bond.
Finding and cherishing a beloved
9. Proverbs 18:22
"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD."
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. Finding a life partner is framed as the LORD's favor.
10. Proverbs 5:18-19
"Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love."
Rejoice with the wife of thy youth… and be thou ravished always with her love. Delight and faithfulness belong together in romantic love.
11. Song of Solomon 4:7
"Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee."
Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. Scripture allows glad, specific praise of a beloved.
12. Song of Solomon 3:4
"It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me."
I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go. Seeking and holding the beloved is part of the Song's picture of love.
A short prayer
Lord, teach me to love with faithfulness and purity. Guard my heart in dating and relationships; let my banner be love that honors You, cleaves in covenant, and rejoices in Your favor. 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.
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Frequently asked questions
What Bible verse is good for love and relationship?
Song of Solomon 8:6-7, Genesis 2:24, Ruth 1:16-17, and Proverbs 18:22 are often shared for romantic faith and courtship.
How is this different from Bible verses about love?
Our love page covers charity and God's love broadly. This page focuses on romantic love, dating, and moving toward covenant.
What does "love is strong as death" mean?
Song of Solomon 8:6 pictures love as fierce and sealing—serious commitment, not a passing feeling.
Is Song of Solomon about dating?
It celebrates marital delight; many couples use it to frame courtship that aims at faithful marriage under God.
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 love · Bible verses about relationship · Bible verses about love and marriage · Bible verses about God's love · Bible verses about friendship
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