Can You Believe It?! 20 Everyday Sayings That Are Directly from the Bible
At many times throughout history, the only book available to a household was the family Bible, which means it became a primary source of reading, often in the King James Version.
This familiarity with the word of God caused many common phrases still used today that most people don’t know were originally from the Bible. Do any of these phrases surprise you as first being from the Word of God?
1. 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)
Taken from the book of Job, this phrase means a narrow escape. From barely passing an exam to arriving just before a store closes, many people live life “by the skin of their teeth.”
2. A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand
“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25)
Many people attribute this phrase to the late President Abraham Lincoln. But actually, President Lincoln got his phrase from the words of Jesus. In this verse from the gospel of Mark, Jesus is refuting the claim that He was working with the Devil. His argument? If He truly is using Satan’s power to cast out demons, then Satan’s kingdom wouldn’t survive. Only a united house can stand.
3. A Drop in the Bucket
“Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.” (Isaiah 40:15)
Oftentimes, people will say this phrase when they mean that adding one more thing isn’t going to make a difference. So when you swipe a piece of candy from your kid’s Halloween stash, it’s usually a drop in the bucket compared to all the other candy waiting for them!
4. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
“Then I commend 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 lour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 8:15 KJV)
Although a somewhat negative verse, the author of Ecclesiastes says that there is nothing better under the sun than enjoying life to the fullest. Usually when there’s something going on that is out of your control, people will say, “Let’s just eat, drink, and be merry!”
5. Scapegoat
“But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat.” (Leviticus 16:10)
This Old Testament ritual involved choosing an unblemished goat to send off into the wilderness to forgive the people for all their unspoken sins. If not forgiven, those sins could have caused serious issues between God and His people. While not really fair for the goat, this term is used when someone innocent gets punished to appease the masses.
6. Gird Your Loins
“Gird up now thy loins like a man; For I will demand of thee, and thou shall answer thou me.” (Job 38:3 KJV)
The practice of girding up your loins was intended for men to prepare for battle. These ancient men wore long tunics, so, during battle, they were hindered in their movements. But, when they took the long tunic, pulled it between their legs, and tied it around their waste, they were free to run.
Today, when someone says to “gird your loins,” it’s time to get ready for a battle of some sort.
7. Writing is on the Wall
“Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote.” (Daniel 5:5)
A common Bible story during Sunday School, this phrase is taken from the book of Daniel. During this event, the king is having a large party when suddenly a human hand appears and begins writing on the wall. Afterward, only Daniel is able to help the king understand what the words said. To him, the “writing on the wall” was obvious, even if everyone else was confused.
8. A Leopard Can’t Change its Spots
“Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard change its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.” (Jeremiah 13:23)
This phrase is most often used to explain that someone who is used to behaving a certain way can never truly change.
9. Bite the Dust
“May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.” (Psalm 72:9)
When someone “bites the dust,” usually it means they have died in an unpleasant or unexpected way. In this Old Testament verse, the writer uses the phrase “lick the dust” to mean the same fate.
10. Salt of the Earth
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” (Matthew 5:13)
A precious commodity for thousands of years, salt has been used to preserve food and add flavor to dishes. But, as Jesus reminds us, if the salt loses its flavor, there is no reason to keep it around. When someone is called the “Salt of the Earth,” they are a vital part of that group and bring great value.
11. A Little Bird Told Me
“Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.” (Ecclesiastes 10:20)
Most often used when you don’t want to reveal who shared a secret, saying “A little bird told me” can explain how you came about some juicy gossip. No one knows exactly who said what, but eventually the word is out.
12. The Letter of the Law
“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Cor. 3:6)
When someone follows a rule to “the letter of the law,” they are doing EXACTLY what the law says. It may not be the best idea in the long run, but their strict behavior doesn’t get looked over.
13. A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)
Usually attributed to those who prey on the weak, being a wolf in sheep’s clothing is someone who is cunning and manipulative. These people may seem innocent, but their motives are harmful and they only wish to destroy.
14. Rise and Shine
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1)
This phrase is part of a popular Sunday School song “Rise and shine and give God the glory, glory!” When used in a sarcastic manner, it can be used to tell someone to wake up, especially when they don’t want to!
15. The Powers That Be
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” (Romans 13;1 KJV)
When talking about the authority that makes decisions, especially when no one understands how the decisions were made, people say, “the powers that be.” For example, “The powers that be are responsible for your higher taxes.”
16. The Blind Leading the Blind
“Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:14)
No, it’s not actually the song “Three Blind Mice” that coined this phrase. Jesus is referring to the religious leaders of his day. Their behavior was so far from what God expected of them, they were leading people into a spiritual pit of despair.
Nowadays, people say this phrase when talking about two people who have no clue what their doing, but are relying on each other to get something done.
17. Go the Extra Mile
“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” (Matthew 5:41)
This phrase is a compliment to someone’s character and determination. When a person is willing to “go the extra mile,” it means they go above and beyond what’s expected of them and do their job well.
18. At Your Wit’s End
“They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.” (Psalm 107:27-28)
While you may have heard this most often from your mom or dad, being “at your wit’s end” is actually a phrase from the book of Psalms. It’s another way to say that you are totally exhausted, your patience has run out, and mentally you need a break!
19. To Fall By the Wayside
“A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.” (Luke 8:5 KJV)
When something gets left undone and no one seems to notice, people say that task has “fallen by the wayside.” In Jesus’s day, He was referring to the seeds of a planter that landed on bad soil and never took root.
20. Behemoth
“Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox. What strength it has in its loins, what power in the muscles of its belly!” (Job 40:15-16)
No one actually knows what a Behemoth really was. Some scholars say a hippo is the most likely candidate. But whatever it was, God is clear about one thing – it was a huge, strong, and powerful animal. When someone calls someone or something a “behemoth,” they are describing them exactly the same way.
15 Well-Known Biblical “Facts” You Won’t Find in Scripture
Surprised to learn how many of these well-known phrases come from Scripture?
If so, you might be equally surprised to learn how many well-known biblical “facts” aren’t actually biblical at all.
From Eve and the apple to Jonah and the whale, you might just be surprised to find out the Bible doesn’t include the details you think it does!
10 Commonly Accepted “Biblical” Truths You Won’t Find Anywhere in the Bible
13 Popular Bible Verses That Don’t Mean What You Think
It isn’t just the Bible’s many stories people misunderstand either.
Here are 13 popular Bible verses people love to take out of context, completely distorting their original meaning in the process.
How many of these do you know?
These 13 Popular Bible Verses Don’t Mean What You Think
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Ever wish you could read the Bible more regularly or study the Bible more in-depth? Well… There’s an app for that!
Whether you’re looking for an interesting Bible reading plan, an audio version to read the Bible to you, or in-depth Bible studies led by trained pastors, these ten popular Bible study apps allow you to take Scripture with you wherever you go. Plus, they’re free!
Find the 7 Best Bible Study Apps Here
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Want to dive deeper into regular Bible study, but you’re not sure where to start? We’ve compiled a list of the most popular, most highly recommended Bible studies for Christian women today.
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Yes, Christians Should Judge. Here’s Why.
Tired of judgemental Christians? Me too.
But, unfortunately, simply scolding someone online isn’t enough to make all the judgmental haters quit with their biting comments.
Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, the Bible actually says Christians should judge.
Here’s what the Bible says on the matter, why Christians should judge others (at times), and why you probably should too.
