What does the Bible say about orphans and widows?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Orphans, those without a parent to protect them, and widows, women whose husbands have died, are people who are vulnerable to exploitation. In the Bible, orphans and widows are often listed together with sojourners (noncitizens) or the poor and needy. The Bible is clear that God values every person and cares deeply for orphans and widows specifically. He also calls His people to share in that care. Ultimately, God's call for us to care for these groups not only reflects His character but also challenges us to live out our faith through tangible acts of compassion and justice (James 1:27).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Deuteronomy 10:18 declares that God "executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing."
• When God gave His people instructions about celebrating yearly feasts and holidays, He commanded that orphans and widows be included in the festivities. Deuteronomy 16:14 says, "You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your towns." God calls His people to join Him in this endeavor of loving and caring for these vulnerable people groups.
• The psalmist in Psalm 10:14 said to God, "You have been the helper of the fatherless."
• Psalm 68:5 says, "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation." God sees the unique needs and vulnerability of orphans and widows and acts as their defender and protector.
• When the Israelites would bring ten percent of the land's produce, their tithe, they were to be "giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled" (Deuteronomy 26:12).
• Another way to ensure that the orphan and widow had access to food was that God's people were not to reap the harvest at the edges of their fields, nor strip the vineyard bare, nor pick up the fruits of their labor that fell to the ground during harvesting. Instead, God commanded: "You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner" (Leviticus 19:9–10, see also Deuteronomy 24:19–22 for specific reference to the orphan and widow).
• Caring for widows and orphans by leaving food that fell to the ground for them is seen in the book of Ruth (Ruth 2:2–3).
• In Exodus 22:22 God commanded the people not to mistreat widows and orphans: "You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child."
• God stated through the prophet Jeremiah, "Do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place" (Jeremiah 22:3).
• God commanded again, through the prophet Zechariah, "Do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart" (Zechariah 7:10).
• God made laws for the provision for and protection of orphans and widows and expected justice to be done any time they were mistreated or oppressed. When a widow or an orphan had been wronged, God's people were commanded to seek justice on their behalf. God said, "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause" (Isaiah 1:17).
• He declared, "Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow" (Deuteronomy 27:19). God even warned, "Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness… against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts" (Malachi 3:5).
• Psalm 146:9 gives a beautiful promise for the orphan and widow: "The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless."

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus honored widows by pointing to them as role models from whom to learn. He drew attention to a generous and faith-filled widow as an example to teach His disciples how to trust God with all they had (Mark 12:41–44), and He told a parable about a persistent widow to teach His disciples how to pray (Luke 18:1–8).
• Jesus said that feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, tending the sick, and visiting the prisoner were ways to love Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:31–40). He said, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me" (Matthew 25:40).
• Jesus' brother, James, taught, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world" (James 1:27).
• In Acts 6, the apostles appointed deacons to ensure the needs of the local widows were being met (Acts 6:1–7).
• The apostle Paul taught churches to "Honor widows who are truly widows" (1 Timothy 5:3).
• Paul also said that "If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows" (1 Timothy 5:16). In this way, Paul tried to assure that each widow in need was looked after.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Bible calls us to care for orphans and widows as a reflection of who God is and how He cares for us. In James 1:27, we are reminded that "religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." Our relationship with God is demonstrated through our actions toward the most vulnerable members of society. We can respond by volunteering with local organizations that support orphans and widows, advocating for their rights, or even providing direct assistance to families in need. By making a conscious effort to be aware of the struggles faced by orphans and widows in our communities, we can reflect God's love and grace, fulfilling His call to act justly and show mercy. Through our commitment to caring for others, we not only uplift those in need but also deepen our relationship with God, reflecting His heart for the marginalized. May we join God in His work of caring for orphans and widows while recognizing our own need for God's provision and protection in our own lives (Revelation 3:17; Psalm 40:17).

UNDERSTAND

• God cares for and protects orphans and widows.
• Believers are called to care for and protect orphans and widows too.
• Caring for orphans and widows reflects God’s heart and character.

REFLECT

• How have you experienced God's care or protection in your own life? How does God’s care for you shape your response to vulnerable people like orphans and widows?
• What specific actions can you take in your community to support or advocate for orphans and widows?
• How can you reflect God's heart for the marginalized in your daily interactions and decisions?

ENGAGE

• How do the biblical commands regarding orphans and widows challenge the values and priorities of our society today?
• What role does the church play in caring for orphans and widows?
• How can understanding God's protective nature toward orphans and widows deepen our faith and inspire us to act justly in other areas of life?