Does the Bible Prohibit Interracial Marriage?
Does the Bible Prohibit Interracial Marriage? No — the Bible never prohibits marriage between different ethnic groups. It only prohibits marriage between believers and unbelievers.
Key verse: Acts 17:26 (KJV)
No — the Bible never prohibits marriage between different ethnic groups. It only prohibits marriage between believers and unbelievers.
No — the Bible never prohibits marriage between different ethnic groups. It only prohibits marriage between believers and unbelievers.
"And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth." — Acts 17:26 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
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The Biblical Answer
The Bible makes no prohibition against interracial marriage. All humans are descendants of Adam and Eve, and Acts 17:26 declares, 'God hath made of one blood all nations of men.' Moses married a Cushite (Ethiopian) woman, and when Miriam criticized him for it, God struck her with leprosy (Numbers 12:1-10) — suggesting God defended the marriage. Rahab (a Canaanite) and Ruth (a Moabite) married Israelite men and are in Jesus' genealogy (Matthew 1:5). The Old Testament prohibitions against marrying Canaanites were about religion, not race: 'They will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods' (Deuteronomy 7:4). The New Testament equivalent is: 'Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers' (2 Corinthians 6:14). The concern is always shared faith, not shared ethnicity. In Christ, 'There is neither Jew nor Greek... for ye are all one in Christ Jesus' (Galatians 3:28). Racism is incompatible with the gospel.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Interracial Marriage?
What the Bible teaches about race, marriage across ethnic lines, and the unity of all people in Christ.
Key Scripture References
"And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth."
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
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Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Interracial Marriage
What the Bible teaches about race, marriage across ethnic lines, and the unity o
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Acts. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Acts on day 309 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “Does the Bible Prohibit Interracial Marriage?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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