Many recognize the Bible as the basis of Christianity and its teachings. However, few may realize that the Bible is also a major contributor to both written and spoken language. Here are just a few common idioms thought to originate from the Bible.
1. The blind leading the blind.
"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Matthew 15:14 KJV
2. By the skin of your teeth.
"I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth." Job 19:20 NIV
3. Nothing but skin and bones.
Also Job 19:20
4. Broken heart.
"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Psalm 34:18 KJV
5. Eat, drink, and be merry.
"Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun." Ecclesiastes 8:15 KJV
6. Put words in someone’s mouth.
"And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth." 2 Samuel 14:3 KJV
7. The root of the matter.
"But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?" Job 19:28 KJV
8. See eye to eye.
"Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion." Isaiah 52:8 KJV
9. Twinkling of an eye.
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." 1 Corinthians 15:52 KJV
10. Wit’s end.
"They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end." Psalm 107:27 KJV
11. Wolves in sheep’s clothing.
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matthew 7:15 KJV
12. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
"And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." Matthew 12:25 KJV
The next time you use one of these common phrases, remember its true origin and how it was first used.
