Being a writer makes one conscious of words and idioms. I’m actually fascinated by phrase origins and love the fact that so many of the common phrases we use everyday originate with the Bible or God. Here are a just a few…
Old as Methuselah: Methuselah was the oldest man in the Bible. He died at the age of 969. (Genesis 5:27) Let’s just say if you are as old as Methuselah you are really, really old – like almost older than dirt.
Thorn in the flesh: The apostle Paul had a certain unnamed affliction which he referred to as a “thorn in the flesh.” (2 Corinthians 12:7) A thorn in the flesh has come to mean something that continually irritates you.
By the skin of one’s teeth: Job described a narrow escape. (Job 19:20)
My brother’s keeper: Cain killed his brother Abel. When God asked Cain where his brother was he replied with, “Am I my brother’s keeper” trying to evade the issue. (Genesis 4:9) My brother’s keeper means we should all look out for one another.
What a man sows, he reaps: This biblical principle tells us our deeds will return to us, whether they are good or bad. (Galatians 6:7, 8) In other words, what goes around comes around.
Bite the dust: The earliest form of this expression is “lick the dust.” (Psalms 72:9) It means to fall to the ground, dead or wounded.
Fight the good fight: Originally this meant to fight the good fight of faith. (I Timothy 6:12) Hold on to those Christian values. However, many a soldier has been sent off to battle to “fight the good fight,” believing what they’re fighting for is worthy of the battle.
To everything there is a season: Written by the wise Solomon, we learn there is an appropriate time for many things. (Ecclesiastes 3) I love it when a biblical phrase creeps into our society. Pete Seeger turned this into a song entitled “Turn, Turn, Turn.” The Byrds recorded it in the 60s and I remember millions singing along to it, not knowing all the words came from the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible. People were memorizing scripture and didn’t even know it.
Good Samaritan: A Good Samaritan is one filled with compassion, who helps others in need without thought of remuneration. (Luke 10:30-33)
Salt of the earth: Someone who is the “salt of the earth” is reliable and dependable. (Matthew 5:13)
The love of money is the root of all evil: Actually the Bible says the love of money is “a” root of evil not “the” root of evil. Let’s just say if you love money too much it clouds your thinking. Not good. (1 Timothy 6:10)
Wash your hands of a matter: When Pilate could find no wrong in Jesus but people wanted to crucify him anyway he washed his hands. He let the people do what they wanted but he would have no part in it. (Matthew 27:24)
What God has joined together let no man put asunder: We’ll just skip this one because it doesn’t have much meaning in our society anymore. (Matthew 19:6)
I could go on and on but suffice it to say the Bible has had more influence in our everyday phrases than we might think. So has God. Every time I hear “God bless you” said for someone who sneezes I think that person may not even realize how good God is, but he says the phrase anyway.
Speaking of God being good here’s a phrase we use all the time and probably don’t connect it with God – good-bye. Believe it or not this is a shortened form of “God be with you (ye).” In Shakespeare’s time is was “God speed.” Today it’s “good-bye.” Go with the strength of the Lord.
That’s not a bad way to end a meeting with someone, so I’ll just say, “Good-bye for now.” May God be with you until we meet again.
