The now commonly-used English idiom “apple of one’s eye” (meaning to be a cherished person) was first coined in 1382 in the English translation by John Wycliffe (in the spelling apple of his iye) (source: Crystal 2010, p. 289). For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
In Russian, the phrase хранить/беречъ как зеницу ока (khranit’/berech’ kak zenitsu oka) or “to keep/ guard as an apple of the eye” is also very widely-used with a whole range of meanings, much beyond just a cherished person. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 5)
In the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) it is translated with the idiom ngati mwanadiso which means “pupil of the eye” — a poetic expression which signifies something that is very delicate and valuable just as the eye pupil. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
“John the Baptist” in Mexican Sign Language (source: BSLM )
In German Sign Language (Catholic) it is translated with the sign for the letter J and the sign signifying a Catholic baptism by sprinkling on the head.
In American Sign Language it is translated with the sign for the letter J and the sign signifying “shout,” referring to John 1:23. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“John” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
In Vietnamese (Hanoi) Sign Language it is translated with the sign for leaping in the womb (see Luke 1:41) and baptism. (Source: The Vietnamese Sign Language translation team, VSLBT)
A question of cultural assumptions arose in Tuvan. The instinctive way to translate this name denotatively would be “John the Dipper,” but this would carry the highly misleading connotation that he drowned people. It was therefore decided that his label should focus on the other major aspect of his work, that is, proclaiming that the Messiah would soon succeed him. (Compare his title in Russian Orthodox translation “Иоанн Предтеча” — “John the Forerunner.”) So he became “John the Announcer,” which fortunately did not seem to give rise to any confusion with radio newsreaders! (Source: David Clark in The Bible Translator 2015, p. 117ff. )
In Noongar it is translated as John-Kakaloorniny or “John Washing” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).
A new oral translation into Yao / Ciyawo, spoken in Mozambique, uses John the one who ceremoniously washes/pours water, using a term (kusingula) that “indicates a ceremonial washing or pouring of water on a person in the Yawo’s expression of Islam which can be used for an act done in repentance of sin.” (Source: Houston 2025, p. 236)
In Russian, the phrase Пусть левая твоя рука не знает, что делает правая (Pust’ levaya tvoya ruka ne znayet, chto delayet pravaya) or “do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” is widely-used as an idiom in every-day life. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 63f.)
The now commonly-used English idiom “led as a sheep (or: lamb) to the slaughter” (meaning doing something without knowing that something bad is going to happen and therefore act calmly) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 282)
In Russian, this phrase (овца на заклание — ovtsa na zaklaniye) is also widely used as an idiom in every-day life. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 97)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
In Russian, the phrase Царство Мое не от мира сего (Tsarstvo Moye ne ot mira sego) or “My kingdom is not of this world” is widely used as an idiom to refer to people who are unpractical or who live in a fantasy world. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 79)
The now commonly-used English idiom “in the twinkling of an eye” (meaning immediately) was first coined in 1382 in the English translation by John Wycliffe (in the spelling in the twynklyng of an iye). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 290)
In Russian, this phrase (в мгновение ока — v mgnoveniye oka) is also widely-used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 47f.)
In German, the term “Augenblick” (“glance of an eye”) already was used in the meaning of “momentarily” by the time of Luther’s Bible translation and is used here as well.
The Hebrew that is translated as “Lord of hosts” in English (or: “Yahweh of Armies” [translation by John Goldingay, 2018], “Hashem, Master of Legions” [ArtScroll Tanach translation, 2011]) is translated in various ways:
Kankanaey: “God the Highest Ruler” (source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: Lord Almighty” (source: Newari Back Translation)
Kutu: Mndewa Imulungu or “Lord with all power” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Mandarin Chinese: Wànjūnzhī Yēhéhuá / Shàngzhǔ (万军之耶和华 / 上主) or “Jehovah / Lord of 10,000 [=all] armies”
Mandinka: “Yawe God of the universe” (source: Rob Koops)
German (Luther) Bible the second part of the name is transliterated: Herr Zebaoth or “Lord Zebaoth” (Swedish, Finnish and Latvian use the same translation strategy). The Russian Orthodox Synod translation uses a transliteration of the second part of the designation as well: Господь Саваоф / Gospod’ Savaof.
The traditional French translation of l’Eternel/Yahve/le Seigneur/Seigneur des armées (“Lord of the armies”) presents a problem when listened to, as Jean-Marc Babut explains (in The Bible Translator 1985, p. 411ff. ):
“For the hearer, the traditional translation l’Eternel/Yahvé/le Seigneur des armées can easily be taken in a bad sense: there is nothing, in fact, to prevent the listener from hearing l’Eternel désarmé, ‘the Eternal One disarmed’ or ‘stripped of his power’! (…). Thus the Bible en français courant [publ. 1997] has decided to use the expression Seigneur/Dieu de l’univers, “Lord/God of the Universe”. This formula, which has an undeniably liturgical ring, seems to have been favorably received by users.”
Other, later French Bibles who have chosen a similar strategy, include Parole de Vie (publ. 2017) with Seigneur de l’univers or Bible Segond 21 (publ. 2007) with l’Eternel, le maître de l’univers.
In Russian, the phrase Пилат … умыл руки (Pilat … umyl ruki) or “Pilate . . . washed his hands” is widely-used as an idiom in a number of variations in every-day life. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 64)
In French, the phrase “s’en laver les mains” or “wash hands” is likewise used as an idiom. (Source: Muller 1991, p. 78)
