Modern Expressions Taken From The Bible

We’ve all heard about “The writing on the wall” when you do something you know what the turnout will be, “Burning the midnight oil” while studying for a test or getting a project finished, which could also be done “By the skin of your teeth”. We all know we have to have “The patience of Job” when being “Your brothers keeper”.

We have all heard these expressions many times, but did you realize that they are from the Bible? Just another testament that Gods Word does not go out void and that it is engrained in the hearts and minds of men. Even the hard-core sinner knows “the love of money is the root of all evil” and how to “Raise Cain”.

Here is a small list of common expressions that are rooted in Gods Word. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Please feel free to leave a comment with any other ones that you know.

Writing on the wall Dan 5:5

Scapegoat Lev 16:10

Reap what you sow Gal 6:7

Turn the other cheek Matt 5:39

In the lions den or thrown to the lions Dan 6:16

Brother’s keeper Gen 4

Sign of the times Matt 16:3

Patience of Job James 5

Fall flat on your face Num 22:31

Pour out your heart Psalm 62:8

Sour Grapes Ezekiel 18:2

Skin of teeth Job 19:20

Stand in awe Psalm 4:4

To put words in his mouth Exodus 4:15

Like a lamb to the slaughter Isaiah 53:7

Rise and shine Isaiah 60:1

Salt of the earth Matt 5:13

A thorn in the flesh 2 Cor 12:7

Powers that be Rom 13:1

From dust to dust Gen 3:19

To wash one’s hands of something Matt 27:24

The spirit is willing, but the body is weak Matt 26:41

Shirt off your back Matt 5:40

Go the extra mile Matt 5:41

Blind leading the blind Matt 15:14

Wolf in sheep’s clothing Matt 7:15

The eleventh hour Matt 20:6

The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing” Matt 6:3

Apple of your eye Deut 32:10

Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-33

Straight and narrow Matt 7:14

Old as the hills Job 15:7

Wits end Psalm 107:27

Leopard cant change its spots Jer 13:23

Don’t cast your pearls before swine Matt 7:6

Drop in the bucket" Isaiah 40:15

Eat, drink, and be merry Eccl 8:15

Eye for an eye Exodus 21:24, Lev 24:20, Deut 19:21 Matt 5:38

Labor of love 1 Thess 1:3

Letter of the law 2 Cor 3:6

More blessed to give than to receive Acts 20:35

No peace (rest) for the wicked Isaiah 48:22, Isaiah 57:21

Put your house in order 2 Kings 20:1, Isaiah 38:1

Sweat of your brow Gen 3:19

The love of money is the root of all evil 1 Tim 6:10

There's nothing new under the sun Eccl 1:9

Raising Cain Gen 4:8

Missed by a hair Judges 20:16

Burning the midnight oil Matt 25:6-9

You can't take it with you when you die 1 Tim 6:7