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    In Context

    Does the Bible Prohibit Interracial Marriage — In Biblical Context

    No — the Bible never prohibits marriage between different ethnic groups. It only prohibits marriage between believers and unbelievers.

    Quick Answer

    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)

    The Biblical Context

    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.

    Where It Sits in Scripture

    The core passage for this question, Acts 17:26, sits inside Acts 17. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.

    "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth."
    — Acts 17:26 (KJV)

    Supporting Passages

    Galatians 3:28
    "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."
    2 Corinthians 6:14
    "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers."

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