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12 Common Idioms From the Bible

Like Shakespeare, the Bible affects our language more than we realize

Ruth Finley

Jun 13, 2016

Grove City College

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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.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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12 Common Idioms From the Bible

Like Shakespeare, the Bible affects our language more than we realize

1. The blind leading the blind.

2. By the skin of your teeth.

3. Nothing but skin and bones.

4. Broken heart.

5. Eat, drink, and be merry.

6. Put words in someone’s mouth.

7. The root of the matter.

8. See eye to eye.

9. Twinkling of an eye.

10. Wit’s end.

11. Wolves in sheep’s clothing.

12. A house divided against itself cannot stand.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

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2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

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6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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