Should a Woman Leave Her Father’s House?

Should a woman leave her father's house? A woman leaving her father's house isn't really the question that should be asked. The question should be why the woman is leaving her father's house. Leaving his house in and of itself isn't a sin; it's the reasons and motives behind the move that determine whether it's right or wrong.

The Bible doesn't say that a woman has to stay in her father's house forever and ever, amen. Instead, the Bible says to "Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12). Ephesians 6:1 says "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." We are to honor and obey our parents, because the Lord commands it and by doing that, God is glorified.

When a woman leaves her father's house out of rebellion and to get away from his authority, she isn't obeying or honoring her parents and therefore will reap the consequences. But on the other hand if the parents as well as the daughter both agree that she can more effectively serve God by moving, than God is glorified. Even though she is moving, she is still under her parent's authority.

It is attitude of the heart. A woman can be living in her father's house and still be rebellious. She can be like the boy who was told to sit on a chair and responds, "I may be sitting on the outside, but I'm standing on the inside." On the outside, she could be living at home, but on the inside she could be anywhere but at home.


So, should a girl leave her father's home? That depends; why is the girl leaving? Is she trying to glorify God and seek his purpose for her life or is she trying to get away from God and her God-given authorities? It really boils down to the purpose of her moving, not really the move itself.