Bible Verses About Interracial Marriage

Bible passages about race, marriage across ethnic lines, and the unity of all peoples in God's creation.

King James Version
26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Acts 17:26
28There 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.
Galatians 3:28
1And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
Numbers 12:1
24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Genesis 2:24
11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Colossians 3:11
39The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:39
5I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. 6Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
Song of Solomon 1:5-6
9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Revelation 7:9
3Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. 4For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.
Deuteronomy 7:3-4
16And 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:
Ruth 1:16

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MarriageLoveJusticeFamily

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Bible prohibit interracial marriage?

No. The Bible never prohibits marriage based on skin color or ethnicity. Acts 17:26 says God made all nations from one blood. Deuteronomy 7:3-4's prohibition was about marrying those of different faith, not different race — verse 4 explicitly states the concern was being turned to other gods. Moses married an Ethiopian woman (Numbers 12:1), and God punished Miriam for objecting.

Why was interracial marriage historically opposed using the Bible?

During slavery and segregation, some misused passages like the 'curse of Ham' (Genesis 9:25) and God separating nations (Acts 17:26) to argue against racial mixing. These interpretations are now widely rejected as eisegesis — reading prejudice into the text. The overwhelming biblical witness affirms human unity in creation and in Christ (Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11).

What does the Bible say about racial unity?

Scripture presents a vision of multi-ethnic unity. Revelation 7:9 pictures heaven with people from every nation and tongue worshipping together. Galatians 3:28 declares no racial distinctions in Christ. The early church intentionally crossed ethnic barriers (Acts 10, Ephesians 2:14). The Bible's trajectory moves consistently toward the reconciliation of all peoples in Christ.