49 Bible Verses about Headship

To you, O Yahweh, [is] the greatness and the power and the splendor and the glory and the strength, for everything in the heavens and in the earth. Yours, O Yahweh, [is] the kingdom and exaltation over all as head!

I have sworn by myself; a word that shall not return has gone forth from my mouth [in] righteousness: 'Every knee shall kneel down to me; every tongue shall swear.'

"But at the end of {that period}, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and [then] my reason returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and {the one who lives forever} I praised and I honored. "For his sovereignty [is] [an] everlasting sovereignty, and his kingdom [continues] from generation to generation. And all the dwellers of the earth are regarded as nothing, and he does {according to} his desire in the host of heaven and [among] the dwellers of earth, and there is not [one] who can hold back his hand, or {ask him}, 'What are you doing?'

What then shall we say? [There is] no injustice with God, [is there]? May it never be! For to Moses he says, "I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I have compassion." Consequently therefore, {it does not depend on the} one who wills or on the one who runs, but on God who shows mercy.read more.
For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very [reason] I have raised you up, so that I may demonstrate my power in you, and so that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Consequently therefore, he has mercy on whomever he wishes, and he hardens whomever he wishes. Therefore you will say to me, "Why then does he still find fault? For who has resisted his will? On the contrary, O man, who are you who answers back to God? Will what is molded say to the one who molded [it], "Why did you make me like this"? Or does the potter not have authority over the clay, to make from the same lump a vessel that [is] for {honorable use} and [one] that [is] for {ordinary use}?

then the end, when he hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when he has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For it is necessary for him to reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be abolished [is] death.read more.
For "he subjected all [things] under his feet." But when it says "all [things]" are subjected, [it is] clear that the one who subjected all [things] to him [is] not included. But whenever all [things] are subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subjected to the one who subjected all [things] to him, in order that God may be all in all.

But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man [is the] head of the woman, and [the] head of Christ [is] God.

who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God something to be grasped,

because I have come down from heaven not that I should do my will, but the will of the one who sent me.

And going forward a little he fell down on his face, praying and saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you [will]."

And he said, "Abba, Father, all [things] [are] possible for you! Take away this cup from me! Yet not what I will, but what you [will]."

saying, "Father, if you are willing, take away this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done." [[

who, existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal with God something to be grasped, but emptied himself [by] taking the form of a slave, [by] becoming in the likeness of people. And being found in appearance like a man, he humbled himself [by] becoming obedient to the point of death, that is, death on a cross.

who in the days of his flesh offered up both prayers and supplications, with loud crying and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard as a result of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered,

who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, because all [things] in the heavens and on the earth were created by him, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers, all [things] were created through him and for him, and he himself is before all [things], and in him all [things] are held together,

in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all [things], through whom also he made the world, who is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, sustaining all [things] by the word of power. [When he] had made purification for sins through him, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become by so much better than the angels, by as much as he has inherited a more excellent name than theirs.

which he has worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating [him] at his right hand in the heavenly [places], above all rule and authority and power and lordship and every name named, not only in this age but also in the coming one, and he subjected all [things] under his feet and gave him [as] head over all [things] to the church,

who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, because all [things] in the heavens and on the earth were created by him, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers, all [things] were created through him and for him, and he himself is before all [things], and in him all [things] are held together,read more.
and he himself is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself may become first in everything,

and you are filled in him, who is the head over every ruler and authority,

you subjected all [things] under his feet. For in subjecting all [things], he left nothing [that was] not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all [things] subjected to him,

But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow into him [with reference to] all [things], who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, joined together and held together by every supporting ligament, according to the working by measure of each single part, the growth of the body makes for the building up of itself in love.

because [the] husband is [the] head of the wife, as also Christ [is the] head of the church (he himself [being the] Savior of the body).

and he himself is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself may become first in everything,

and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by the ligaments and sinews, grows with the growth of God.

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in him, for the administration of the fullness of times, to bring together all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, in him

For it is necessary for him to reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be abolished [is] death. For "he subjected all [things] under his feet." But when it says "all [things]" are subjected, [it is] clear that the one who subjected all [things] to him [is] not included.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and the one seated on it was called "Faithful" and "True," and with justice he judges and makes war. Now his eyes [were] a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many royal headbands having a name written that no one except he himself knows. And [he was] dressed in an outer garment dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God.read more.
And the armies [that are] in heaven, dressed in clean, white fine linen, were following him on white horses. And out of his mouth came a sharp sword, so that with it he could strike the nations. And he will shepherd them with an iron rod, and he stomps the winepress of the wine of the furious wrath of God, the All-Powerful. And he has a name written on his outer garment and on his thigh: "King of kings and Lord of lords."

And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of heaven, and over every animal that moves upon the earth."

Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic [is] your name in all the earth, who put your splendor above the heavens. From the mouth of children and infants you have founded strength on account of your enemies, to silence [the] enemy and [the] avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, [the] moon and [the] stars which you set in place--read more.
what [is] a human being that you think of him? and a child of humankind that you care for him? And you made him a little lower than heavenly beings, and [with] glory and [with] majesty you crowned him. You make him over the works of your hands; all [things] you have placed under his feet: sheep and cattle, all of them, and also [the] wild animals of [the] field, [the] birds of [the] sky and the fish of the sea, [everything] that passes along the paths of seas. Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic [is] your name in all of the earth!

For he did not subject to angels the world to come, about which we are speaking. But someone testified somewhere, saying, "What is man, that you remember him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a short [time] lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor;read more.
you subjected all [things] under his feet. For in subjecting all [things], he left nothing [that was] not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all [things] subjected to him,

You rescued me from strife with people; you set me as head (over) nations. People I did not know served me;

Samuel said, "Even though you [are] small in your [own] eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? Yahweh has anointed you as king over Israel.

For the head of Aram [is] Damascus, and the head of Damascus [is] Rezin, and in sixty-five years from now Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people. And the head of Ephraim [is] Samaria, and the head of Samaria [is] the son of Remaliah. If you do not believe then you will not endure." '"

"You, O king, were looking and, look, there was one great statue. This statue [was] huge and its brilliance extraordinary, standing [there] before you, and its appearance [was] frightening. The head of this statue [was] of fine gold, its chest and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet, part of them of iron and part of them of clay.read more.
You were looking on {until} a stone was chiseled out--that not by hands--and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and it broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold {all at once} broke into pieces and they became like chaff from the summer threshing floor, and the wind carried them away and any trace of them could not be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and it filled the whole earth. "This [was] the dream, and [now] we will tell its interpretation to the king. You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power and the might and the glory, and [also] {human beings wherever they dwell}, the animals of the field and the birds of heaven--he has given into your hand and made you ruler over all of them--you are the head of gold.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for [there] is no authority except by God, and those that exist are put in place by God. So then, the one who resists authority resists the ordinance [which is] from God, and those who resist will receive condemnation on themselves. For rulers are not a [cause of] terror for a good deed, but for bad [conduct]. So do you want not to be afraid of authority? Do what [is] good, and you will have praise from it,read more.
for it is God's servant to you for what [is] good. But if you do what [is] bad, be afraid, because it does not bear the sword to no purpose. For it is God's servant, the one who avenges for punishment on the one who does [what is] bad. Therefore [it is] necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for [the authorities] are servants of God, busily engaged in this very [thing].

Subject yourselves to every human authority for the sake of the Lord, whether to a king as having supreme authority, or to governors as those sent out by him for the punishment of those who do evil and the praise of those who do good.

And the {Israelites} sent to the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, to the land of Gilead, Phinehas the priest son of Eleazar, and ten leaders with him, {one leader for each} {family} from each of the tribes of Israel; and each one [was] the head of {his family} among the clans of Israel.

Yahweh spoke to Moses in the desert of Sinai, in the tent of assembly, on [the] first of the month, in the second year {after they came out} of the land of Egypt, saying, "{Take a census of} the entire community of the {Israelites} according to their clans and {their families}, according to [the] number of names, every male individually from {twenty years old} and above, everyone in Israel who [is able] to go to war. You and Aaron must muster them for their wars.read more.
A man from each tribe will be with you, each man the head of {his family}. And these [are] the names of the men who will {assist you}: from Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai; from Judah, Nahshon son of Amminadab; from Issachar, Nethanel son of Zuar; from Zebulun, Eliab son of Helon. From the descendants of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama son of Ammihud; from Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. From Benjamin, Abidan son of Gideoni; from Dan, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai; from Asher, Pagiel son of Ocran; from Gad, Eliasaph son of Deuel; [and] from Naphtali, Ahira son of Enan." These [are] the ones summoned from the community, the leaders of their ancestors' tribes; they [are] the heads of Israel's clans.

Ahi son of Abdiel, son of Guni, [was] chief in their fathers' households.

--wives to their own husbands as to the Lord, because [the] husband is [the] head of the wife, as also Christ [is the] head of the church (he himself [being the] Savior of the body). But as the church is subject to Christ, thus also wives [should be subject] to their husbands in everything.

But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man [is the] head of the woman, and [the] head of Christ [is] God. Every man who prays or prophesies [while] having [something] on [his] head dishonors his head, but every woman who prays or prophesies with uncovered head dishonors her head, for she is one and the same with the one whose [head] is shaved.read more.
For if a woman does not cover herself, let her [hair] be shorn off. But if [it is] shameful for a woman to [have her head] shorn or shaved, let her cover her [head]. For indeed a man ought not to cover his head, [because he] is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. For indeed man was not created for the sake of the woman, but woman for the sake of the man. Because of this, the woman ought to have [a symbol of] authority on her head, on account of the angels. Nevertheless, neither [is] woman [anything] apart from man, nor [is] man [anything] apart from woman in the Lord. For just as the woman [is] from the man, thus also the man [is] through the woman. But all [things] [are] from God. You judge {for yourselves}: is it fitting for a woman to pray to God [with her head] uncovered? And does not nature itself teach you that a man, if he wears long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But a woman, if she wears long hair, it is her glory, because her hair is given for a covering. But if anyone is disposed to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by the conduct of their wives, [when they] see your respectful, pure conduct. Let your adornment not be the external [kind], braiding hair and putting on gold jewelry or putting on [fine] clothing,read more.
but the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable [quality] of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is highly valuable in the sight of God. For in the [same] way formerly the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves [by] being subject to their own husbands, like Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you have become [when you] do good and are not frightened with respect to any terror.

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and rule over you in the Lord and admonish you,

When Saul returned from [pursuing the] Philistines, they told him, "Look, David [is] in the wilderness of En Gedi." So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and he and his men went to search [for] David {in the direction of} the Rocks of the Mountain Goats. He came to the sheep pens beside the road, and a cave [was] there. Then Saul went in {to relieve himself}. Now David and his men [were] sitting in the innermost part of the cave.read more.
And David's men said to him, "Look, today [is] the day about which Yahweh said to you, 'See, I am giving your enemy into your hand, and you can do to him {whatever seems good to you}.'" So David got up and secretly cut the hem of Saul's robe. {And then} afterward David {felt guilty}, because he had cut {the hem of Saul's robe}. He said to his men, "Far be it from me in Yahweh, that I do this thing to my lord, to Yahweh's anointed one, by stretching out my hand against him! For he [is] the anointed one of Yahweh." So David rebuked his men with the words and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave, and he went on his way.

For look, the Lord Yahweh of hosts [is] removing {every source of support} from Jerusalem and from Judah: all of [the] supplies of bread and all of [the] supplies of water, mighty warrior and man of war, judge and prophet, and diviner and elder, captain of fifty and the honorable men of rank, and counselor and skillful magicians and skillful enchanter.read more.
And I will make boys their princes, and children shall rule over them. And the people will be oppressed {by each other} and a man by his neighbor. The boy will act arrogantly toward the elder, and the dishonorable toward the honorable. Indeed, a man will seize his brother [in] the house of his father: "{You have a cloak}; you shall be a leader for us, and this heap of ruins [shall be] under your hand!" He will lift up [his voice] on that day, saying, "I will not be a healer; in my house there is no bread and there is no cloak. You shall not make me [the] leader of [the] people!"

Obey your leaders and submit [to them], for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not [with] groaning, for this [would be] unprofitable for you.

Therefore [I, your] fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, [and] also a sharer of the glory that is going to be revealed, exhort the elders among you: shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not by compulsion but willingly, in accordance with God, and not greedily but eagerly, and not as lording it over {those under your care}, but being examples for the flock.

being subject to one another {out of reverence for} Christ