Definition and Context: Abortion, the termination of a pregnancy, is a topic that has been debated throughout history, including within Christian circles. The Bible does not explicitly mention the term "abortion," but various passages are interpreted to provide insight into the sanctity of life and the moral considerations surrounding the unborn.

Biblical Passages and Interpretations:

1. Sanctity of Life: The Bible consistently affirms the value of human life. Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." This passage underscores the belief that human life is sacred because it is made in the image of God.

2. Life Before Birth: Several scriptures suggest that life begins before birth, indicating the personhood of the unborn. Psalm 139:13-16 reflects this view: "For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be."

3. God’s Knowledge and Care for the Unborn: Jeremiah 1:5 states, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations." This verse is often cited to demonstrate that God has a purpose and plan for individuals even before they are born.

4. Protection of the Innocent: The Bible emphasizes the protection of innocent life. Exodus 20:13 commands, "You shall not murder." This commandment is foundational in discussions about the morality of abortion, as it is interpreted to include the unborn as innocent life deserving protection.

5. Legal and Social Implications in Biblical Law: Exodus 21:22-25 provides a legal framework that some interpret as addressing the value of the unborn. It describes a situation where a pregnant woman is injured and gives birth prematurely. The passage outlines consequences for harm, suggesting the unborn child's life is valued and protected under the law.

6. Jesus and Children: Jesus’ attitude towards children is seen in passages like Matthew 19:14, where He says, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." This reflects the high regard for children and, by extension, the unborn.

Historical and Theological Perspectives:

Throughout church history, Christian theologians and leaders have generally upheld the sanctity of life from conception. Early church writings, such as the Didache, explicitly condemn abortion. The consistent teaching has been that life is a gift from God, and its termination is a serious moral issue.

Ethical Considerations:

From a biblical perspective, the ethical considerations surrounding abortion involve the recognition of the unborn as life created by God, deserving of protection and care. The moral responsibility to protect life is a recurring theme, and the decision to terminate a pregnancy is weighed against the biblical mandate to preserve life.

Conclusion:

While the Bible does not directly address modern medical practices, its teachings on the value of life, the personhood of the unborn, and the moral imperatives to protect the innocent provide a framework for understanding the issue of abortion within a biblical context.Psalm 139:13-16
For you have possessed my reins: you have covered me in my mother's womb.
Topicalbible.org

Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.
Topicalbible.org

Isaiah 49:1
Listen, O isles, to me; and listen, you people, from far; The LORD has called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother has he made mention of my name.
Topicalbible.org

Luke 1:44
For, see, as soon as the voice of your salutation sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Topicalbible.org

Job 31:15
Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 127:3
See, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Topicalbible.org

Exodus 21:22-25
If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
Topicalbible.org

Exodus 20:13
You shall not kill.
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) The act of giving premature birth; particularly, the expulsion of the human fetus prematurely, or before it is capable of sustaining life; miscarriage.

2. (n.) The immature product of an untimely birth.

3. (n.) Arrest of development of any organ, so that it remains an imperfect formation or is absorbed.

4. (n.) Any fruit or produce that does not come to maturity, or anything which in its progress, before it is matured or perfect; a complete failure; as, his attempt proved an abortion.

1626. ektroma -- untimely birth, miscarriage
... Neuter Transliteration: ektroma Phonetic Spelling: (ek'-tro-mah) Short Definition:
an untimely birth Definition: (strictly: a lifeless abortion) an untimely ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1626.htm - 6k5309. nephel -- miscarriage, abortion
... 5308, 5309. nephel or nephel. 5310 . miscarriage, abortion. Transliteration:
nephel or nephel Phonetic Spelling: (neh'-fel) Short Definition: miscarriage. ...
/hebrew/5309.htm - 6k

7921. shakol -- to be bereaved
... A primitive root; properly, to miscarry, ie Suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave
(literally or figuratively) -- bereave (of children), barren, cast calf ...
/hebrew/7921.htm - 6k

Those who Give Drugs for Procuring Abortion, and those who Receive ...
... Those who give drugs for procuring abortion, and those who receive poisons to kill
the? ... Whoever gives or receives medicine to produce abortion is a homicide. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xci those who give.htm

Valentinus' Explanation of the Existence of Christ and the Spirit.
... to supplication of the Father, that he would tranquillize the sorrowing Sophia;
for she continued weeping and bewailing on account of the abortion produced by ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxvi valentinus explanation of the.htm

The Christians Condemn and Detest all Cruelty.
... And when we say that those women who use drugs to bring on abortion commit murder,
and will have to give an account to God [831] for the abortion, on what ...
/.../a plea for the christians/chapter xxxv the christians condemn and.htm

The First Canonical Epistle of Our Holy Father Basil, Archbishop ...
... Canon II. Let her that procures abortion undergo ten years' penance, whether
the embryo were perfectly formed, or not. Canon III. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/v the first canonical epistle.htm

The Judges Said: He Has Given Demonstration Enough of the Origin ...
... not present a perfect parturition there, since it was really a greater person who
was assailed through Judas; and consequently, as I say, it proved an abortion ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/33 the judges said he.htm

Absurdity of their Styling Themselves Spiritual, While the ...
... whatever through their instrumentality, as indeed they themselves acknowledge; so
that one may justly reckon them as having been an abortion produced by the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxx absurdity of their styling.htm

The Second Commandment: Gross Sin Forbidden.
... fornication, thou shalt not steal, [2392] thou shalt not practice magic, thou shalt
not practice witchcraft, thou shalt not murder a child by abortion nor kill ...
/.../the teaching of the twelve apostles/chapter ii name second commandment .htm

The Way of Light.
... soul. [1694] Thou shalt not slay the child by procuring abortion; nor,
again, shalt thou destroy it after it is born. Thou shalt ...
/.../barnabas/the epistle of barnabas /chapter xix the way of light.htm

The Adventures of Achamoth Outside the Pleroma the Mission of ...
... Whilst she is in this plight, [6767] Christ descends from [6768] the heights, conducted
by Horos, in order to impart form to the abortion, out of his own ...
/.../tertullian/against the valentinians/chapter xiv the adventures of achamoth.htm

The Lax and Dangerous views of this Sect Respecting Good Works ...
... is imprinted the mark of this (animal) seed, because we are reckoned as sprung from
the loves of Theletus, [6887] and consequently as an abortion, just as ...
/.../tertullian/against the valentinians/chapter xxx the lax and dangerous.htm

Abortion (2 Occurrences)
... that does not come to maturity, or anything which in its progress, before it is
matured or perfect; a complete failure; as, his attempt proved an abortion. ...
/a/abortion.htm - 7k

Abound (36 Occurrences)

/a/abound.htm - 19k

Abort (1 Occurrence)

/a/abort.htm - 6k

How can I experience healing and recovery after an abortion? | GotQuestions.org

Why should I not have an abortion? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about abortion? | GotQuestions.org

Abortion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus