The word ‘mother’ means different things to different people. For some, a biological mother is one who births and gives life to another. While for others, a mother figure is one who nurtures, raises, teaches, and is a positive influence in the life of a child. More so, a mother’s faith and character will always be a great influence in her journey of shaping minds and building lives.
So, who are some mothers in the Bible and what is a good mother? What are some of the characteristics of a good mother in the Bible? In various books of the Bible, we get to meet mothers who didn’t only birth a child but gave their all to nurture, shape, build, influence, and leave a worthy legacy behind for the next generation. These mothers in the Bible provide an example to learn from.
What Does the Bible Say About the Biblical Role of a Mother?
A mother is one who gives life to another. The first mother in the Bible was Eve, shortly after she and Adam left the Garden of Eden. She was called the mother of all living. As the first woman, she receives the first very first mention to mothers in the Bible.
“Now the man named his wife Eve because she was the mother of all the living.” Genesis 3:20 NASB
In other words, a mother is a life-giver whose role and influence are beyond just birthing a child. She gives physical, spiritual, and emotional life to her children and those in her circle of influence. She gives life and light to the next generation through her words, deeds, actions, and influence. A mother comforts and protects and is often the first person to love that child inside her womb.
A mother is a carrier of purpose and a pointer to destiny.
As mothers today, we are carriers of God’s purposes and executors of his kingdom agenda on the earth. We have been given the greatest privilege of shaping the minds and destinies of the children God entrusts into our care. We nurture, lead, love, teach, care for and discipline them, even as we guide and pray for them as God leads them toward his perfect plan for their lives.
Motherhood is not reserved for only women who have biological children. We see a variety of mothers in the Bible. A woman named Deborah showed up as a mother to Israel. She was a judge and prophet who stepped into the role of a mother, pointing the children of Israel back to God. Under her leadership, wisdom, and guidance, the nation of Israel and its citizens enjoyed 40 years of peace.
The biblical role of a mother entails service, sacrifice, nurture, guidance, teaching, leading, and pointing your children to God.
Specific Characteristics of a Good Mother in the Bible
The Bible opens us up to the lives of godly mothers like Hannah who prayed earnestly, Naomi who spoke words of wisdom to her daughter-in-law, and Deborah who arose to build her people and nation. Some of these faithful mothers showed courage, faith, and strength as they trusted in God’s promises for their lives and that of their children. Their lives bore testimony to the fruit of the spirit as these Christian moms set aside their own way and chose to follow God.
So, what are some of the characteristics of good mothers in the Bible?
- A deep reverence for God.
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 ESV
- A caring heart.
“She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” Proverbs 31:27 ESV
“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 NLT
- A gentle and quiet spirit.
“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” 1 Peter 3:4 ESV
- A praying heart.
“Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.” Lamentations 2:19 KJV
- A desire to build.
“The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.” Proverbs 14:1 ESV
- A mouth that speaks wisdom.
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31: 26 ESV
- A life that honors God.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deut 6:5 ESV
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Col 3:17 ESV
- A life of service.
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” Titus 2:3-5
- A legacy of faith.
“That the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; Psalm 78:6-7 ESV
- A heart that seeks knowledge.
“The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.” Prov 15:14 ESV
Examples of Godly Mothers in the Bible
The Bible shows us examples of mothers who served and honored God in their lifetime. Some of them played great roles, showed great faith, defied the laws of the land, and raised children who played defining roles in God’s grand plan for humanity. Some of the biblical mothers were influential among the Hebrew people, and some of them may seem insignificant in their influence. During biblical times and now, the measure of a real mother isn’t the number of children she has borne but rather the days of her life and how she has impacted others. Here are a few mothers in the Bible.
Jochebed – A Mother’s Courage
Pharaoh gave a decree that every male child born must be killed. Jochebed, the mother of baby Moses, was that mother who was courageous enough to defy the king’s order and gave her baby to be raised by pharaoh’s daughter simply to keep him safe. By hiding Moses in plain sight in the Nile River, under the watchful eye of Miriam, Jochebed’s daughter, her unconditional love for her baby pushed her to do something very unusual. The daughter of Pharaoh saw this Christian mother and her mother’s love and dedication to her baby son.
As the mother of Moses, she saw something great about the destiny of her child and was willing to take a risk to protect his destiny and future. And just because she was determined to find a way to save her son, God blessed her plan. Her son, Moses was the leader who led God’s children from 430 years of bondage in Egypt. He was also the vessel whom God used to perform one of the greatest miracles in the bible – the parting of the Red Sea.
Hannah – Claiming God’s Promise
The story of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, was that woman who was mocked because she was a barren woman. You may have read about how she groaned and poured out her heart before God in prayer for a child. She went on to make a vow to God saying that, if God gives her a son, she will give him back to him for his entire lifetime.
God granted her request and gave her a son whom she named Samuel. Hannah fulfilled her promise to God as she returned several months later and spoke these words. “I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.” 1 Samuel 1:27-28 NLT
Hannah’s story reminds us that a mother’s prayers claiming God’s promises can result in tremendous blessings not only in the family but also across the nation.
Sarah – Waiting on God Alone
Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was barren and had no hope of naturally conceiving and carrying a child, the fruit of the womb. She was old and past the age of child-bearing, yet God promised to give her a child as the wife of Abraham. She had to learn to wait on God’s promise even in her doubt and uncertainty. Imagine being childless at the age of 90 and God still says to her – you will have a son.
It was a long wait but God’s promise came to pass. Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” Genesis 21:6-7
Sarah, the mother of Isaac, reminds us that no matter how long the wait is, God’s promises are faithful.
Mary – A Willing Servant
Mary was a young virgin about to be married when the angel of the Lord showed up and told her about God’s plan for her life. The angel called her ‘highly favored’ declaring that she will conceive and give birth to the son of God.
She was afraid and asked how possible this was, being that she was a virgin. The angel Gabriel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35 NIV
Mary immediately yielded to God’s plan and what he wanted to do throughout her life. She answered with these words. Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38 NKJV
Mary’s story doesn’t end with the visit from an angel. Mary’s greeting of her cousin, and then the births of Jesus and John are a testimony of two powerful mothers who were willing to be part of God’s plan of redemption which included their sons.
Mary, the mother of Jesus carried and gave birth to a son who died to save the whole world. She not only carried God’s purpose within her fearlessly, but she also nurtured God’s son till he became of age. Mary was chosen to be one of the most amazing mothers out of all the young women of her time.
“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33 NLT
This Hebrew woman became a special mother who had the privilege of carrying the son of her womb and raising Him as He was preparing to be the Savior of the world. All of this happened because she was a yielded vessel in God’s hands.
Mother Eunice and Grandmother Lois – The Influence of a Mother’s Faith
Eunice and Lois are the mother and grandmother of Timothy, Apostle Paul’s mentee. These two generations of mothers were mentioned in the New Testament for their sincere faith. Their faith in Christ was evident by the way they lived their everyday life so much that Apostle Paul called them out. Timothy’s mother shared her godly character and her love for Christ Jesus with her son as he grew up. His mother’s teaching and grandmother’s influence helped him grow to follow God.
They were a great example of Christian mothers who were able to pass on their faith from one generation to the next. Motherhood is about influence and we can model Christ and our faith to our children’s lives by how we live and through our actions.
RELATED: Praying Mothers in the Bible
The Wife of Noble Character
This illusive woman and mother in the Bible sums up the positive ideals of a Christian mom not only in Bible times, but also in the present day. The great responsibility of the Proverbs 31 woman includes familial love and caring for the family, as well as taking care of hard work. The chapter sums up the qualities of a godly mother.
This may seem unattainable and a bit overwhelming for all the things this successful and busy woman does, but ultimately, she is taking care of the needs of her family and doing a good job in the sight of God. By paying close attention to the needs of those in her household, she is able to meet those needs and provide the best for her family.
Just like these mothers in the Bible, you can have an eternal impact on the lives of your children. God has given you a special and awesome job of raising these children to know Him. As you teach your children, guide them in the ways of truth, encourage them to know and love God for themselves, and to walk in paths of righteousness.
You may also like these posts…
- Praying Moms – Using Scripture to Pray for Others
- Remain in Me – Lessons from John 15
- Joshua 1:9 Prayers for Courage
- Creating a Self-Care Life
- Praying Circles Around the Lives of Your Children
- 31 Bible Promises to Pray for Your Children
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What an encouraging article, Ufuoma! I appreciate, “A mother is a carrier of purpose and a pointer to destiny.” And this is so true, “Motherhood is not reserved for only women who have biological children.”
This is awesome! I especially love how you give examples from the Word of good moms and practical ideas for being one. In my experience, loving the Lord with all my heart has covered some of the things I wish I did differently. That one goes a long way!
This is so good! Definitely bookmarking.
Because motherhood is a life-long journey, we need ALL these characteristics. God help us.
Ufuoma, thank you for your beautiful 10 characteristics of a good mother in the bible. I loved each one of them and the scripture you chose. Blessings to you.
Wow! I’m deeply touched. I am a young mother of one and have been waiting on God for another. As I read this today on mother’s day, I am deeply encouraged and challenged to not only have biological children but to be a mother in all the ways you have described in this beautiful piece. God bless you, Madam.
Blessings to you Jemimah! I’m so glad this post encouraged you. I’m sure that you are a blessing to those around you as you interact with others. Some of the most influential people in my own children’s lives are other moms who have encouraged, supported, and been interested in my kids. I’m certain that you can be that for someone else just as others will be those people for your child. Happy Mother’s Day!