Does the Bible speak against interracial marriages?

There is only one incident in the Bible that directly addresses the issue of interracial marriage, and that took place when Miriam and Aaron criticized their brother Moses “because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married” (Numbers 12:1). As a consequence, Miriam became leprous, “as white as snow” (v. 10). Even though she sinned against her brother, Moses pleaded with God to heal his sister. The Lord did heal her, but only after she remained outside the camp for seven days.

There is an issue deeper than skin color or race that is addressed in finding a marital partner. The Bible says, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). Why is that important? God once told the Israelites to destroy all the people in the land of Canaan and not to intermarry with them because they will “turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods” (Deuteronomy 7:4).

The main factor in a successful marriage is that it is built on a common commitment to follow Jesus Christ. There is no perfect person. Someone once said marriage is not just about finding the right person, but being the right person. When both spouses look to Jesus for guidance, it will help the couple surmount any obstacle.

It is appropriate to reflect on the potential challenges people of different races might face if they choose to get married. While it’s not wrong, it could be difficult. Emotional love can make us blind to potential problems. We live in an imperfect world with less than ideal neighbors and communities. Children born into marriages with mixed race parents face prejudices that are deep. This is not true everywhere, but in some societies it can create tough barriers.

What is plain from our text for today is that there is no segregation of races in God’s eyes. Salvation is a free gift to all people regardless of their ethnicity.

Key Bible Texts

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:11 KJV)