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.
What does the Bible say about interracial marriage? Explore KJV scriptures on race, unity in Christ, and God's view of marriage across ethnic lines.
"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 Bible does not prohibit marriage between people of different races or ethnicities. In fact, Scripture affirms that all people are made in God's image and that in Christ, ethnic distinctions do not determine spiritual standing. The Old Testament prohibitions on intermarriage were about faith, not skin color.
Key Scriptures About Interracial Marriage
Acts 17:26
"And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth."Read in context
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."Read in context
Numbers 12:1
"And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman."Read in context
Genesis 1:27
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."Read in context
1 Samuel 16:7
"For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."Read in context
One Blood, One Humanity
Acts 17:26 declares that God made 'of one blood all nations' — all humans share a common origin. Genesis 1:27 affirms that every person, of every ethnicity, is made in God's image. Galatians 3:28 teaches that in Christ, ethnic divisions are transcended. The Bible's consistent message is human unity under one Creator.
Faith, Not Race, Is What Matters
When the Old Testament warned against intermarriage (Deuteronomy 7:3-4), it was about marrying idol-worshippers, not about ethnicity. Moses himself married an Ethiopian woman (Numbers 12:1), and when Miriam criticized him for it, God struck her with leprosy — defending Moses' marriage. The New Testament's guidance is 2 Corinthians 6:14: don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers. The issue is shared faith, not shared ethnicity.
A Prayer About Interracial Marriage
Lord, help me see every person through Your eyes — made in Your image, loved by You, equal in dignity and worth. Break down every wall of prejudice in my heart and help me love as You love, without distinction. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Interracial Marriage
Quick answers to the most common questions about what the Bible says on interracial marriage.
Does the Bible forbid interracial marriage?
No. The Bible does not prohibit marriage between people of different races. Acts 17:26 says God made all nations from one blood. Moses married an Ethiopian woman (Numbers 12:1) and God defended that marriage. The Bible's concern is spiritual compatibility (2 Corinthians 6:14), not racial or ethnic similarity.
What about the Old Testament prohibition on intermarriage?
Deuteronomy 7:3-4 warned Israel against marrying people from surrounding pagan nations because they would 'turn away thy son from following me.' The prohibition was about faith, not ethnicity. Ruth, a Moabite, married Boaz and is in the lineage of Jesus — showing that faith, not race, is what matters to God.
What is the main Bible verse about interracial marriage?
Acts 17:26 is one of the clearest scriptures on interracial marriage: "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth." (KJV). It anchors the broader biblical teaching summarized on this page.
How many Bible verses talk about interracial marriage?
Scripture addresses interracial marriage in dozens of passages across the Old and New Testaments. We've curated 6 of the most directly relevant KJV verses on this page, drawn from Acts, Galatians, Numbers, Genesis, 2 Corinthians and more.
Where does the Bible first mention interracial marriage?
The earliest passage on this list is Acts 17:26, in the book of Acts. Scripture's full teaching on interracial marriage unfolds across both testaments — see all 6 verses above for the broader picture.
Is interracial marriage a sin according to the Bible?
What does the Bible say about interracial marriage? Explore KJV scriptures on race, unity in Christ, and God's view of marriage across ethnic lines. The verses above lay out exactly what the KJV teaches so you can weigh the question for yourself in light of Scripture.
Common Bible Questions About Interracial Marriage
Specific questions Christians ask about interracial marriage — each answered with KJV scripture.
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