English Phrases and Idioms with Biblical Origins Numerous phrases used in every day speech have their origin in the Bible. The Word Wheel in the Dunham Bible Museum features a few of these phrases, but many more are found below. PHRASE MEANING SCRIPTURE “man after my own heart” kindred spirit I Sam. 13:14 “thorn in the flesh” annoying, persistent difficulty I Cor. 12:7 “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Should I be responsible if something happens to someone else? Gen. 4:9 “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” a compensating justice for every wrong Matt. 5:38 “as old as Methusalah” very old Gen. 5:27 “as old as the hills” very old Job 15:7 “patience of Job” patience under extreme suffering Book of Job “as you sow so shall you reap” your deeds will repay you in kind Gal. 6: 7 “at his wits end” perplexed; doesn’t know what to do Psalm 107:27 “doubting Thomas” skeptic; must have hard evidence before believing John 20:24-29 “written in stone” unchangeable truth Ex. 31:18 Babel confusion Genesis 11 “beat swords into ploughshares” turn away from war to peace Isa. 2:4; Micah 4:3; Joel 3:10 “bite the dust” fall wounded or dead Psalm 72:9 “handwriting on the wall” disaster or danger is near Dan. 5:5-6 “faith will move mountains” faith is very powerful Matt. 21:21 “fall from grace” fall from position of esteem Gal. 5:4 Goliath a large, overbearing obstacle or problem I Samuel 17 Delilah seductress Judges 16 “flesh and blood” all mankind; family Matt. 16:17 “by the skin of your teeth” a close miss from disaster Job “Can a leopard change its spots?” can’t change your nature Jer. 13:323 “For everything there is a season” there’s a right time for everything Eccl. 3:1-8 Samson strong man with a tragic flaw Judges 17 Jezebel wicked, selfish, powerful, evil woman I Kings 19 “apple of my eye” very precious and dear Zech. 2:8; Deut. 32:10 “forbidden fruit” prohibited item Gen. 2:9 “from strength to strength” progress from one success to another Psalm 89:7 “give up the ghost” die or cease working Acts “Judas kiss” deceptive show of affection with evil intent Matthew 26:49 “blind leading the blind” incompetent people leading incompetent people Matt. 15:19 “fly in the ointment” small, irritating problem that spoils everything Eccl. 10:1 “cast the first stone” be the first to attack a someone John 8:7 “salt of the earth” those of great worth and reliability Matt. 5:12 “powers that be” government authority Romans 13:1 “sour grapes” acting meanly after a disappointment Ezek. 18:2 “physician heal thyself” attend to your own faults more than the faults of others Luke 4:23 “no rest for the wicked” wicked will be tormented Isa. 57:20-21 “my cup runneth over” I have more than enough for my needs Psalm 23:5 “turn the other cheek” don’t retaliate for wrong done Matt. 5:39 “guilty flee when no man pursues” guilty fear discovery Proverbs 28:1 “go the extra mile” do more than is required Matt. 5:41 “Prodigal Son” someone rebelling and living a dissolute life, then returning to home and right living Luke 15:11-32 “Good Samaritan” someone who helps others from compassion with no thought of reward Luke 10:30-33 “How are the mighty fallen” those previously powerful are weakened II Sam. 1:19 “Lamb to the slaughter” unaware of impending danger Jer. 11:18 “Man does not live by bread alone” man has spiritual as well as physical needs Deut. 8:3 “living off the fat of the land” living well Gen. 45:18
