What does the Bible say about aliens?

The Bible does not mention life on other planets. When older translations say “alien,” they mean a foreigner living in Israel, and the law repeatedly commands kindness to them.

Discussions of extraterrestrial life usually turn to passages about the size of creation and the heavenly beings God made, quoted below. They do not answer the question directly.

The passages

1. Genesis 1:1

   In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

   KJV

   In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2. Psalm 8:3–4

   When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place— what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?

   KJV

   When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

3. Psalm 19:1

   For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

   KJV

   To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

4. Colossians 1:16

   For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.

   KJV

   For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

5. Exodus 22:21

   You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

   KJV

   Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

6. Leviticus 19:34

   You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

   KJV

   But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

7. Hebrews 13:2

   Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

   KJV

   Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Every passage is quoted in full from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain); tap KJV for the King James Version. Steady quotes the text and does not take sides where churches differ.