One of the most powerful themes throughout Scripture is God’s deep compassion for widows and orphans. They are close to His heart, and He calls His people to defend, protect, and provide for them.
When we reach out to widows and orphans with love and generosity, we reflect God’s character and fulfill one of the purest forms of worship.
In this post, we’ll explore 35 meaningful give to the widows and orphans bible verse passages that remind us why caring for the vulnerable is not just a suggestion — it’s a command rooted in God’s own heart.
Key Takeaways:
- God commands His people to protect and care for widows and orphans.
- Generosity toward the vulnerable reflects true faith and compassion.
- Blessings follow those who honor God by loving and providing for others.
35 Bible Verses About Giving to Widows and Orphans
1. James 1:27
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
Explanation: True faith is shown through caring for widows and orphans.
2. Deuteronomy 10:18
“He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.”
Explanation: God personally defends and provides for the vulnerable.
3. Psalm 68:5
“A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.”
Explanation: God is a protector and judge for those without defenders.
4. Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
Explanation: God commands us to actively defend and care for widows and orphans.
5. Exodus 22:22
“Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.”
Explanation: God warns strongly against mistreating the vulnerable.
6. Deuteronomy 27:19
“Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow.”
Explanation: God curses injustice against widows and orphans.
7. Job 29:12
“Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.”
Explanation: Job reflects God’s heart by helping those in need.
8. Psalm 146:9
“The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow.”
Explanation: God sustains and protects the vulnerable.
9. Proverbs 15:25
“The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.”
Explanation: God opposes the proud and protects the defenseless.
10. Zechariah 7:10
“Oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor.”
Explanation: God commands His people not to exploit or neglect the vulnerable.
11. Jeremiah 22:3
“Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor.”
Explanation: Justice for the oppressed includes protecting widows and orphans.
12. Proverbs 31:8-9
“Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.”
Explanation: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
13. Deuteronomy 14:29
“And the Levite, because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates.”
Explanation: Provision was to be set aside specifically for the vulnerable.
14. Deuteronomy 24:17
“Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow’s raiment to pledge.”
Explanation: God’s law protected widows and orphans from injustice.
15. Job 31:16-17
“If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail.”
Explanation: Job’s righteousness was shown in how he treated the vulnerable.
16. Ruth 2:10-12
“The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel.”
Explanation: Ruth’s kindness and humility were blessed by God.
17. 1 Kings 17:14
“For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste.”
Explanation: God miraculously provided for a widow during a famine.
18. Psalm 10:14
“The poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.”
Explanation: God takes personal responsibility for the fatherless.
19. Isaiah 10:1-2
“Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness.”
Explanation: God condemns laws that hurt the poor and vulnerable.
20. Malachi 3:5
“And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against those that oppress the widow.”
Explanation: God promises to judge those who mistreat widows and orphans.
21. Psalm 82:3
“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.”
Explanation: God calls us to actively defend those in need.
22. Proverbs 23:10-11
“Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless.”
Explanation: Protecting the property and rights of orphans was a serious matter.
23. Jeremiah 7:6
“If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood.”
Explanation: True worship of God involves justice and compassion.
24. Job 6:27
“Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.”
Explanation: God condemns exploiting the vulnerable.
25. Ezekiel 22:7
“In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.”
Explanation: Oppression of widows and orphans is a sign of moral decay.
26. Deuteronomy 26:12
“When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase… and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.”
Explanation: God instructed generosity to the vulnerable through tithing.
27. Psalm 82:4
“Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.”
Explanation: Rescuing the oppressed is part of God’s justice.
28. Isaiah 1:23
“Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.”
Explanation: Corruption neglects the most vulnerable members of society.
29. Luke 7:12-15
“When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.”
Explanation: Jesus showed personal compassion by raising a widow’s son.
30. Acts 6:1
“Because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.”
Explanation: Early Christians organized help for widows to meet their needs.
31. 1 Timothy 5:3
“Honour widows that are widows indeed.”
Explanation: The church is called to honor and support widows.
32. Jeremiah 49:11
“Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.”
Explanation: God promises to care for the fatherless and widows.
33. Matthew 23:14
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses.”
Explanation: Jesus condemned religious leaders who took advantage of widows.
34. Psalm 72:4
“He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy.”
Explanation: God’s rule will bring justice and care for the needy.
35. Zechariah 7:9-10
“Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless.”
Explanation: True righteousness includes mercy and compassion for widows and orphans.
Final Thoughts: Reflecting God’s Heart Through Generosity
The Bible makes it clear that caring for widows and orphans is not optional — it’s a direct expression of God’s love. These give to the widows and orphans Bible verse passages remind us that God’s heart beats for the vulnerable, and He calls us to be His hands and feet to those in need.
Now it’s your turn!
Which verse spoke to your heart today?
Have you had an experience helping widows or orphans and seeing God’s blessings flow?
Share your favorite verses or stories in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!