Mothers are oftentimes the source of great joy and encouragement, but on occasion can be the cause of great pain in their children’s hearts. One mother gives out so much love to her child, only to leave scars that only time will heal. Another fails to see the good intentions in her child and fuels a fire with her harsh words that may be used to take out their own frustrations on their children.
Some mothers are like the morning star; their children’s hopes rise up with them. Some are like plants in the field, raising their hopes for fruit before reaching maturity. Some are like serpents, given to their own wickedness; they hatch adders’ eggs and destroy the young birds. Read this article to find out examples of good and bad parents in the bible.
Bible Verses About Bad Mothers
The Bible is a book that contains many stories of bad political leaders. In fact, there are entire books devoted to the subject.
The Book of Kings is one such book that chronicles the reigns of several kings, some good, some bad. One king in particular, Ahab, was a particularly bad leader who was described as evil by God Himself. He ruled over Israel when it was at its most vulnerable point—during a time when Israel had been conquered by neighboring nations and was under siege from all sides.
In this passage from 1 Kings 16:29-34, we see Ahab’s wickedness:
The following passages from the Bible can be used as a reference for bad political leaders:
- “For we have heard of your pride, and of your boasts, O you who dwell in the land: saying, “Who has begotten a son? Let him declare it; let us hear it!” (Isaiah 37:19). This passage implies that those in power should not be conceited or boastful about their accomplishments and status.
Proverbs 29:12
When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked rule, people groan.
- Proverbs 28:21 – “To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will transgress.”
- Psalm 94:20 – “Can wicked rulers be allied with You, those who frame injustice by statute?”
- Isaiah 1:21 – “How the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her—but now murderers.”
Psalm 31:4
“I will be glad and rejoice in thy lovingkindness; for thou hast considered my trouble, and hast known my soul in adversities.”
Psalm 37:17-18
“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.”
Proverbs 28:13
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Bible Verses About Negative Family
Luke 11:27-28 ESV / 37 helpful votes
As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Proverbs 22:15 ESV / 36 helpful votes
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Proverbs 1:8 ESV / 36 helpful votes
Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching,
Hebrews 12:11 ESV / 35 helpful votes
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Luke 11:11 ESV / 35 helpful votes
What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;
1 Timothy 3:4 ESV / 34 helpful votes
He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
Philippians 4:19 ESV / 34 helpful votes
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 6:1 ESV / 34 helpful votes
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Proverbs 23:13 ESV / 34 helpful votes
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
1 Peter 5:2-3 ESV / 32 helpful votes
Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV / 32 helpful votes
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Joel 1:3 ESV / 32 helpful votes
Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.
1 Peter 4:8 ESV / 31 helpful votes
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Isaiah 66:13 ESV / 30 helpful votes
As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
John 3:16 ESV / 29 helpful votes
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Psalm 55:12 ESV / 29 helpful votes
For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him.
Psalm 15:1-5 ESV / 29 helpful votes
A Psalm of David. O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
Romans 8:28 ESV / 26 helpful votes
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 26 helpful votes
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Proverbs 30:17 ESV / 26 helpful votes
The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.
Joshua 24:15 ESV / 26 helpful votes
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Matthew 18:6 ESV / 25 helpful votes
But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Hebrews 12:7-11 ESV / 24 helpful votes
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Proverbs 29:15 ESV / 24 helpful votes
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV / 24 helpful votes
“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—
John 3:16-17 ESV / 22 helpful votes
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Proverbs 3:5 ESV / 21 helpful votes
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Revelation 1:1 ESV / 20 helpful votes
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV / 20 helpful votes
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Genesis 27:1-46 ESV / 20 helpful votes
When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” He said, “Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.” Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, …
1 Timothy 2:4 ESV / 19 helpful votes
Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Colossians 3:23 ESV / 19 helpful votes
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
Mark 6:1-6 ESV / 19 helpful votes
He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. …
Jeremiah 19:1-15 ESV / 19 helpful votes
Thus says the Lord, “Go, buy a potter’s earthenware flask, and take some of the elders of the people and some of the elders of the priests, and go out to the Valley of the Son of Hinnom at the entry of the Potsherd Gate, and proclaim there the words that I tell you. You shall say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, O kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing such disaster upon this place that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. Because the people have forsaken me and have profaned this place by making offerings in it to other gods whom neither they nor their fathers nor the kings of Judah have known; and because they have filled this place with the blood of innocents, and have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or decree, nor did it come into my mind— …
Isaiah 49:1-26 ESV / 19 helpful votes
Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God.” And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength— …
Deuteronomy 11:19 ESV / 19 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Examples Of Bad Mothers In The Bible
It’s simple to make a tally of the biblical mothers we admire. The question is, what about the undesirable ones? There are probably some “Bad Girls” in the Bible that you’re familiar with, but can you name any “Bad Moms” from the Bible?
Certainly, Herodias was a villain. She instructed her dancing daughter to demand John the Baptist’s head. The mother of John the Baptist who wished for his death would have to be a particularly evil person. In 2 Kings 6, two desperate mothers agree to eat their sons in exchange for food. Only one of the mothers actually does what they said they would do and shares with her child. Each mother is a cannibal, but one of them is dishonest. I get that they were hungry, but they were still bad people in my book. Here’s another one: Athaliah. The evil deeds of her son Ahaziah are detailed in the second book of Chronicles. It is because of her that King Ahaziah became so evil; 2 Chronicles 22:3 says, “his mother was his counselor in doing wickedly.” This mother had a negative impact on her children. Which means she’s a terrible mother.
Moms make great counselors. No matter how many Instagram followers they have, mothers are influential because of the impact they have on their children. Whether it’s good or bad. Also, being a positive role model for a child can make her mother happy. Mothers are given advice in Proverbs 23 about how to enjoy the success they’ve achieved as a result of their leadership.
If you want to live, pay attention to the man who gave it to you, and treat your aging mother with respect. Do not sell the truth but rather acquire it by spending your money on knowledge, training, and insight. He who has a son who is both righteous and wise can take great pride in him. Make your parents happy; the woman who carried you should be overjoyed (Prov. 23:22–25).
A parent’s age is a natural part of life. The fact is that moms age too. This is a natural part of their aging process. Wise children continue to take their parents’ advice even as they get older. Intelligent teenagers continue to honor their elders. Young people can demonstrate reverence by attentively listening. A shift occurs in the dynamic between parents and their offspring. They can no longer exercise parental authority over their adult offspring. However, it is still important to pay attention to and honor one’s parents. Remember, you owe them everything because they raised you. They are the ones who made you alive! Give what they say serious consideration, even if you suspect a dash of insanity here and there. (There must be a dash of insanity in what you’re relaying to your offspring.)
Another way to show that you’re paying attention to your parents is to uphold the biblical values they instilled in you while you were under their care. It’s true that not everyone is blessed with godly parents, but this is the ideal model. Ideally, one generation passes on its knowledge of God’s Word to the next, preparing them to live for the Lord.
Wise advice is priceless. Keep it all for yourself! Take in some wisdom, some knowledge, some truth, and some instruction, and hold on to it. Wisdom is something that money can’t buy, but it should be something that you devote your time and energy to gaining. Acquiring the knowledge and skill to put the teachings of the Bible into practice is the essence of wisdom. Instruct your children in the Scriptures and they will grow up to be wise adults. Everyone should make gaining godly wisdom for proper living for the Lord their top priority in life. And it’s good for mom if the kids turn out to be smart. It’s a happy thing. The result is joy. The blessing of seeing your children make wise decisions in their daily lives is a cause for celebration and thanksgiving to God.
Intelligent adults still pay attention to their parents and value the advice they’ve given them. And Christian mothers who recognize this fact act accordingly. And what a great chance you have to shape your children’s character for the glory of God while they are still young! You can show them how to obey God and live their lives in accordance with His Word. Value for knowledge is something you can instill in them. You’ll be pleased because they’re making good decisions that please God. You have much to be grateful to God for, as your children will be guided to seek wisdom with your help.
What stands between you and the truth, wisdom, instruction, and comprehension? regardless of whether you have children of your own or not, or whether or not your own parents are still alive. While it’s possible your mom wouldn’t be overjoyed by your pursuit of holiness, you still have her in spirit. Jesus’ final question in Matthew 12 is:
“Who is my father, and who are my sisters and brothers?” Then he held out his hand to his followers and proclaimed, “Here are my mother and my brothers! To the extent that anyone does the will of my heavenly Father, they are blood relatives of mine (Matt. 12:48–50).
Your church community is made up of believers who are eager to serve God. You can think of them as your sisters, brothers, and moms. People like that will be happy for you when they see you making good decisions in your walk with the Lord. If you’re looking for advice and inspiration, these are the people to talk to. There are definitely bad moms and bad influences in the world. Yet, thanks be to God, there are many godly parents who are shaping the next generation for the sake of Christ.
Bible Verses About Toxic Mothers
Psalm 27:10 ESV / 709 helpful votes
For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.
Colossians 3:21 ESV / 590 helpful votes
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 363 helpful votes
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Isaiah 49:15 ESV / 338 helpful votes
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.
Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 324 helpful votes
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Ezekiel 18:20 ESV / 302 helpful votes
The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 296 helpful votes
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 252 helpful votes
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Galatians 6:7 ESV / 243 helpful votes
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
Luke 17:3 ESV / 209 helpful votes
Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,
2 Corinthians 12:14 ESV / 208 helpful votes
Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
Exodus 20:12 ESV / 167 helpful votes
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Proverbs 11:29 ESV / 153 helpful votes
Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV / 136 helpful votes
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. …
1 John 2:1-29 ESV / 118 helpful votes
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: …
Proverbs 13:24 ESV / 118 helpful votes
Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
Proverbs 14:1 ESV / 112 helpful votes
The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.
Psalm 103:13 ESV / 102 helpful votes
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV / 80 helpful votes
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV / 80 helpful votes
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV / 80 helpful votes
Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
1 John 3:15 ESV / 78 helpful votes
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Luke 17:1-37 ESV / 70 helpful votes
And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” …
Proverbs 13:22 ESV / 70 helpful votes
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.
Psalm 23:4 ESV / 63 helpful votes
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Luke 11:13 ESV / 62 helpful votes
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 ESV / 60 helpful votes
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
1 Timothy 2:1-15 ESV / 59 helpful votes
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, …
Matthew 10:21 ESV / 58 helpful votes
Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death,
Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 57 helpful votes
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Proverbs 15:27 ESV / 56 helpful votes
Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
Genesis 2:24 ESV / 55 helpful votes
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Proverbs 10:1 ESV / 50 helpful votes
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
Deuteronomy 5:16 ESV / 49 helpful votes
“‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Colossians 3:20 ESV / 46 helpful votes
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Proverbs 29:17 ESV / 44 helpful votes
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
Matthew 10:35 ESV / 43 helpful votes
For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Proverbs 19:18-20 ESV / 43 helpful votes
Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death. A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again. Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
James 1:1-27 ESV / 42 helpful votes
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. …
Proverbs 19:18 ESV / 42 helpful votes
Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.
Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV / 39 helpful votes
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Luke 1:37 ESV / 39 helpful votes
For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Numbers 14:18 ESV / 38 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’