English Phrases from the Bible

I just find it interesting that so many phrases in English have their origin in the KJV translation of the Bible. I don’t know if this has been a serious study somewhere else, but when I catch one, I try to jot it down, and add it to this list.

  • “I’m not my brotherʼs keeper.” – Genesis 4:9
  • “Flowing with milk and honey.” – Exodus 3:8
  • “Give them enough rope, and theyʼll hang themselves.” – Esther 7:9
  • “Now a days.” – 1 Samuel 2:10
  • “Heʼs a man after my own heart.” – 1 Samuel 13:14
  • “Feed you to the birds.” – 1 Samuel 17:46
  • “Fall on your sword.” – 1 Samuel 31:4
  • “Heart of stone.” – Ezekiel 36:26
  • “The writing on the wall.” – Daniel 5:5
  • “Put out to pasture.” – Daniel 5:33
  • “Half-baked.” – Hosea 7:8
  • “Ignorance is bliss.” – Ecclesiastes 1:18
  • “Eat, drink, and be merry.” – Ecclesiastes 8:15
  • “Go the extra mile.” – Matthew 5:41
  • “The right hand doesnʼt know what the left is doing.” – Matthew 6:3
  • “Serving two masters.” – Matthew 6:24
  • “Don’t cast your pearls before swine.” – Matthew 7:6
  • “On the straight and narrow.” – Matthew 7:14
  • “The blind leading the blind.” – Matthew 15:14
  • “Kiss your feet.” – Luke 7:40
  • “Beside himself.” – Acts 26:24
  • “I saw the light.” – Acts 9:3
  • “For Christʼs sake.” – Ephesians 4:30
  • “Here today; gone tomorrow.” – James 4:14
  • “Draw a line in the sand.” – John 8:6