12 Poignant Bible Verses about Widows

These twelve Bible verses about widows offer hope and encouragement for the bereaved woman who may feel abandoned and alone.

They reveal the depth of God’s concern for widows and set a framework for how the body of Christ should care for them, too.

12 Bible Verses that show how much God cares for Widows:

To the widow who feels stuck in loss, grief, and fear here’s good news for you: God knows and cares. He’s there for you, as these Bible verses about widows show.

#1. Avenger – God Protects Widows

Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword, your wives will become widows and your children fatherless. Exodus 22:22-24

Included in the law concerning social responsibility are these two sobering verses. God is deadly serious about how the care and protection of widows and orphans and has harsh discipline in store for those who take advantage of them.

#2. Defender – God Defends Widows

He defends the case of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner living among you, giving them food and clothing. Deuteronomy 10:18

Widows are a priority for God, who not only defends them, He also defends their children (the fatherless) and provides for their daily needs of food and clothing.

God cares about widows and He expects the church to care too.

#3. Provider – God Provides for Widows

At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless, and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 14:28-29

God expects widows to be a priority for His people, as well. Provision for widows and orphans is to be a regular part of their giving plan.

He doesn’t want meager provision, either. God wants widows to have enough so they are “satisfied,” not hungry for more.

#4. Guardian-Redeemer – God is on the Widow’s Side

The women said to Naomi, “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer…” Ruth 4:14

The concept of kinsman-redeemer is nowhere more beautifully demonstrated than in the story of Ruth and Boaz.

As kinsman-redeemer, he rescued her from the desperation of her widowhood and rescued both her and her mother-in-law Naomi from the shame and poverty into which widowhood propelled them.

Just as Jesus redeemed us from the shame of our sin, He continues to serve as guardian-redeemer for widows.

God is on the widow’s side.

#5. Advocate – God Advocates for Widows

A father to the fatherless, a judge of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. Psalm 68:5

The word translated as “judge” can also be translated as “advocate.” God is on the side of the widow.

She never goes into a difficult or contentious situation alone for her advocate (her attorney, her judge) is God Himself.

#6. Sustainer – God Sustains Widows

The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked. Psalm 146:9

You may be wondering what it means for God to sustain widows. To “sustain” someone is to strengthen and support them, provide what is needed, and help them along the way, especially during a difficult season.

The widow can not only count on God to meet her daily needs but also for strength in her grief. When the going is hard, God helps her keep going.

God looks out for widows.

#7. Boundary Setter – God Surrounds Widows

The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but He sets the widow’s boundary stones in place. Proverbs 15:25

The widow’s property lines are drawn, set, and maintained by God Himself. If the proud or devious person tries to push the line and extend his own property to her detriment, he will find himself in opposition to God Himself.

When God sets the widow’s boundary stones, they stay in place.

# 8. Holy Husband – God is with Widows

Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband—the Lord Almighty is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. Isaiah 54:4-5

The widow need not fear humiliation, shame, or reproach. God Himself will serve as her husband and redeemer.

She has a righteous and holy partner who will never leave her nor forsake her. He will meet every need and be with her in every circumstance.

#9. Witness – God Witness for Widows

“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers, and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:5

Widows can be confident of God’s watchcare and His quick response. He will not only see those who oppress widows but will also take action against them.

Witness. Jury. Judge. God will execute judgment on the widow’s behalf.

Jesus’ heart goes out to grieving widows.

#10. Compassion Giver – God is Compassionate to Widows

As He approached the gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” Luke 7:12-13

When Jesus saw the widow’s grief, His heart went out to her. Widows, when Jesus sees your grief (and He does) His heart goes out to you.

He cares and He will not ignore your plight nor fail to respond to your needs.

# 11. Respecter – God Honors Widows

Honor widows who are widows indeed. 1 Timothy 5:3

Respect and honor for widows are not merely feel-good suggestions. They are the expected behavior for those in the church.

God has a plan, even for your widowhood, and it’s good.

# 12. Plan Maker – God’s Will for Widows

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

God gave unexpected instructions for the exiles in Babylon. They lived in untenable situations but, rather than worry about a return to their homeland, they were to settle in and make a home where they were.

It was the place they least wanted to live in circumstances they would never have chosen for themselves but God had plans for them. Good plans.

Eventually, He would bring them to pass. Until then, they were to thrive where He planted them.

In that same way, widows often find themselves in circumstances that feel foreign and uncomfortable. They would never choose their widowhood, but they are not overlooked by God in it.

God still has good plans—for welfare and not calamity, for a future and a hope—even for the widow.

Bible Verses About Widows: How to Pray for Widows

A newly widowed woman scooted past our team at a recent prayer event. She greeted us but didn’t pause as she headed to a meeting.

Later, I saw her in the hall and asked the question we asked everyone we saw that day. “How can I pray for you?”

She took a deep breath in, let it out long and slow. Squared her shoulders. Set her jaw. I saw determination as she took another long breath. Tears welled and threatened to spill out.

“Okay. Here it is. My husband and I helped start this church but I can’t find my place here without him. He taught our Sunday School class. We did everything together. I don’t know where I fit now. Nothing feels like home and I don’t know what to do to make it better.”

When our team prayed for her, we prayed according to the verses listed above and spoke into her situation.

We asked God to help her find her place in our church again, give her comfort in her sorrow, show her how she can use her gifts to bless others, and help our church feel familiar and like home again.

We asked God to honor His promises to widows and be her defender, protector, sustainer, and comforter.

Her situation didn’t change overnight but admitting the difficulties and allowing people to pray were important first steps.

We can be confident things will improve because we serve a God who is faithful to keep His promises. He will do what He said He will do—including for my widowed friend.

Sample Prayer Based on Bible Verses about Widows:

“Lord, we lift up _______ in her sorrow and loss. We pray you will be her comforter, her protector, and her guardian.

Show her what to do in every situation and send people to help her with jobs too heavy or hard for her.

Protect her in business dealings and give her wisdom and discernment in every decision. Provide for every need.

Give her a glimpse of Your perfect plan and help her to allow You to use the gifts You’ve place in her for You honor and Your glory. Be her husband and her sustainer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”