Does the Bible tell us how many children a couple should have?
The Bible doesn’t come right out and say how many children a couple should have. Since God doesn’t come right out and say, “keep having children until that season of your life is over,” I must assume that He has left the choice up to us.
The only Scripture that I know of in the Bible, that makes any reference to how many children we should have, can be found in the book of Psalms:
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
(Ps. 127:4-5)
The Hebrew word translated as children is “ben.” This word is translated as the English words: son, daughter, children, and others.
This is why some translations say son, and others say children. I believe it’s referring to children, both boys and girls. What I find interesting about this verse of Scripture is that it doesn’t give us an amount, it simply says blessed is the man whose quiver (device that held arrows) is full.
We can’t find any place in the Bible where we’re told how many arrows a quiver held. The warrior decided how many arrows he needed in order to feel safe on the battlefield.
I would think that the particular battle would determine his needs. I believe that’s what this verse is saying to us. You decide how many children you need in order to suit you and your calling in life.
If you want ten – great! If you want one – great! I’m convinced that God has left this up to us.
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Joe Cameneti Sr. is the lead pastor of Believers Church, located in his hometown of Warren, Ohio. Pastor Joe, along with his wife Gina, pioneered Believers Church in 1983 following his graduation from Bible School.
In addition to leading a thriving local church, Pastor Joe is the host of a weekly show called "BCTV." The program is aired locally on WFMJ, the NBC affiliate, reaching thousands weekly.
Pastor Joe is a gifted communicator, skilled in the art of building bridges to unchurched America. Transparent and authentic, you'll walk away challenged and encouraged to connect with God in a deeper way.