While listening to a lecture over the Book of Job, the preacher mentioned Job 19:20 which includes the phrase, “by the skin of my teeth.” It sparked my interest to do a little research over common phrases that we use in our everyday language that originate in the Bible.
Here are a few that I have found:
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
“(A) house divided against itself cannot stand.” (Matthew 12:25) This statement of Christ’s is known very well for its adaptation by Abraham Lincoln in June of 1858.
“At their wits’ end” (Psalm 107:27)
“You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32) This is a very popular phrase; in fact, it was the motto of my college honor society.
“Can the leopard change his spots?” (Jeremiah 13:23)
“My brother’s keeper” (Genesis 4:9) In the Bible Cain makes this statement (“Am I my brother’s keeper?”) to God after he has murdered Abel. Isn’t it interesting that the connotation of this phrase today is usually positive?
“For the love of money is the root of all evil.” (1st Timothy 6:10)
“Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) Generally we shorten this saying: “pride goes before a fall.”
“Out of the mouths of babes” (Psalm 8:2)
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
“Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” (Daniel 5:27)
“Eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21; Matthew 5:38)
“Eat, drink, and be merry.” (Ecclesiastes 8:15; Luke 12:19) Both times that this phrase is found in the Bible it is speaking of one who is living a life without taking God into consideration.
“Like mother, like daughter” (Ezekiel 16:44)
“Blind leading the blind” (Matthew 15:14)
“Love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43; Matthew 19:19; Mark 12:31; Galatians 5:14; and many other passages)
Although these phrases or sayings may not be used in exactly the same way in the Bible as we use them in our everyday language, I still find it intriguing that so many everyday sayings are found in the Bible. I think it would be an interesting study to read the context of the phrases in regards to their use within the Bible.