30 Bible Verses About Relationships From The Old Testament

Here’s a carefully curated list of 30 Old Testament Bible verses about relationships—covering friendships, family, marriage, love, and community. I’ve included context notes where helpful:

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Friendship & Companionship

1. Proverbs 17:17 – "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

2. Proverbs 18:24 – "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

3. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."

4. Proverbs 27:9 – "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice."

5. Proverbs 27:17 – "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

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Marriage & Romantic Relationships

6. Genesis 2:24 – "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."

7. Proverbs 5:18-19 – "May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth."

8. Ecclesiastes 9:9 – "Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you."

9. Song of Solomon 2:16 – "My beloved is mine and I am his."

10. Song of Solomon 8:6-7 – "Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death."

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Family & Parenting

11. Exodus 20:12 – "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."

12. Proverbs 1:8-9 – "Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching."

13. Proverbs 22:6 – "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

14. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children."

15. Psalm 127:3-5 – "Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him."

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Community & Neighborly Relationships

16. Leviticus 19:18 – "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself."

17. Proverbs 3:29 – "Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you."

18. Proverbs 11:25 – "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

19. Micah 6:8 – "Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God."

20. Zechariah 7:9 – "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion every man to his brother."

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Conflict Resolution & Harmony

21. Proverbs 15:1 – "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

22. Proverbs 16:28 – "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends."

23. Ecclesiastes 4:12 – "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

24. Proverbs 20:3 – "It is to a person’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel."

25. Proverbs 25:21-22 – "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink."

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Trust & Loyalty

26. Psalm 37:3-4 – "Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture."

27. Proverbs 12:26 – "The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray."

28. Proverbs 14:20 – "The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends."

29. Job 6:14 – "Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty."

30. Ruth 1:16-17 – "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay."

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