8 Characteristics of a Good Mother in the Bible
Published January 25, 2023
Am I a good mother? Whether you’re a new mom or a mom of four, you probably asked yourself this question at some point.
Yes, we all want to be the best mother to our children. But the thing is, there’s no manual to motherhood. It’s a perpetual learning experience. Most of the time, you just wing it as you go along.
The good news is the scriptures contain a lot of passages about how to be a good mother. It might not be the manual we need, but it’s a great source of inspiration if you want to be the kind of mother your children would want to look up to.
With that, here are some of the characteristics of a good mother in the Bible:
1. Trustworthy
Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. – Proverbs 31:11
When your child took their first steps, chances are they walked towards you. That’s because they trust you out of everyone and everything in the world. They know that their mother will never hurt them.
It’s why the Bible put an emphasis on trustworthiness as one of the characteristics of a good mother and a good wife. A good mother is loyal to her family and will always put them first. She tries her best to maintain her family’s trust and will not do anything to jeopardize it.
2. Prudent
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. – Proverbs 19:14
In the dictionary, prudence is defined as:
- being careful in making decisions, especially when spending money
- showing good judgement in avoiding risks and uncertainties
- showing care and thought for the future
As a mother, you know that raising kids can be costly. From diapers to doctor’s visits, everything costs money. That’s why a good mother is also a prudent one.
A prudent mother constantly thinks of her children’s future. She’s careful not to spend her money on useless things, but instead uses it to give her children a better future.
3. Hardworking
She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. – Proverbs 31:27
They say that motherhood is one of the hardest jobs in the world. You are on call 24 hours a day, with no day off, and you don’t even get paid.
But despite all the work it entails, you’re happy doing it because you love your family more than anything. For them, you’re willing to move mountains. That, in itself, is already being a good mother.
4. A Motivator
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. – Proverbs 31:26
A mother is a child’s number one cheerleader. It doesn’t matter if you get labelled a stage mother. You’ll always be proud of your child no matter what.
That’s why according to the Bible, a good mother always showers her children with wisdom and kind words. No matter how crazy or weird their dream or idea might be, a good mother will always be there to encourage them.
5. Dignified
Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. – Proverbs 31:25
For different people, being “dignified” can mean different things. But in the dictionary, dignity is defined as being worthy of honor and respect. A dignified mother, therefore, is someone who’s worthy of honor and respect.
You need to remember that you are your children’s role model. As such, it’s your responsibility to teach them how to live with dignity. You need to set an example of how to be a person worthy of honor and respect.
6. Caring
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. – Proverbs 31:15
No matter how old we are, we’ll always long for our mother’s tender loving care. That’s because our mother’s caring ways are our first experience of love.
We all have different definitions on what a caring mother is supposed to be. But one thing is for sure, being a good and caring mother is more than just providing your child’s needs. It’s about showing your affection in both words and actions.
7. Gentle Spirit
You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. – 1 Peter 3:4
As the Bible verse above said, a gentle and quite spirit is precious to God. It’s a source of inner beauty which is far more important than outer appearance.
That’s not to say, however, that you should stop wearing makeup or making yourself beautiful. What St. Peter meant by this is that a good Christian mother and wife should prioritize spiritual nourishment rather than physical beauty.
8. Of Noble Character
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. – Proverbs 31:10-12
In some versions of the Bible verse above, the term “noble character” is also translated as virtuous, worthy, excellent, capable, and intelligent, among others. This means that an ideal wife and mother is all these and more. That’s why a good mother with a noble character is more is more valuable than any jewel.
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About The Author
Judy Ponio is a professional writer for the Lay Cistercians blog and a devoted Catholic. She works hard to ensure her work uses accurate facts by cross checking reputable sources.
