Crystal, David. Begat: The King James Bible and the English Language. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2010.
The now commonly-used English idiom “bottomless pit” (for something that holds a very large amount of something) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale (spelled as bottomlesse pytt) for the Greek abussos. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 289)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English term “scapegoat” (meaning a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others) was first coined in 1530 in the English Pentateuch translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling scapegoote, meaning “the goat that escaped”). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 278)
In the New English Bible, it is translated as “the Precipice,” while in other English versions it can also be translated as “Azazel,” referring to a demon (see Translation commentary on Leviticus 16:8 and thanks Elizabeth Lewis).
Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Scapegoat .
The now commonly-used English idiom “scales falling from eyes” (meaning to suddenly realizing the truth about something) was first coined in 1382 in the English translation by John Wycliffe (in the spelling scalis felden fro hise iyen). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 299)
Likewise, the now commonly-used German idiom wie Schuppen von den Augen fallen (literally “like scales falling from the eyes”), which today is primarily used meaning sudden and complete clarity, was made popular in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Redewendungen aus der Bibel )
Lastly, Finnish uses the idiom Suomut putoavat silmiltä also directly translating “the scales fall from the eyes.”
The now commonly-used English idiom “pearls before swine” (meaning something valuable presented to someone who doesn’t recognize its worth) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling (cast ye youre) pearles before swyne) (source: Crystal 2010, p. 286). Likewise The now commonly-used German idiom Perlen vor die Säue werfen was made popular in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther (source: Günther 2017, p. 90).
In Russian, this phrase (Не мечите бисер перед свиньями — Ne mechite biser pered svin’yami) is also widely used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 12)
The now commonly-used German idiom Mördergrube (literally “murderers’ pit”), which today is primarily used in the expression “aus seinem Herzen keine Mördergrube machen” or “to speak freely” (literally: “don’t turn your heart into a murderers pit”), was made popular in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. Note that from the 1956 Luther Bible edition on forward, this was replaced with the more correct Räuberhöhle. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 90)
The common English idiom “den of thieves” (meaning a group of people engaged in or suspected of illegal, immoral, or underhanded activities or a place in which such activities take place) was first coined in 1382 in the English translation by John Wycliffe (in the spelling denne of theues). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 290)
In Chechen it is translated idiomatically as “a nest of robbers” (Source: David Clark in The Bible Translator 2015, p. 117ff. )
The Greek that is translated as “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” or similar in English is translated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) with Der Heilige Geist macht mutig, aber als bloße Menschen sind wir feige or “The Holy Spirit makes us courageous, but as mere humans we are cowards.”
The now commonly-used English idiom “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (meaning a person pretending to be harmless) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 281)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “woe is me” (for an — often ironic — exclamation of lamentation for one’s misfortune) was first coined in 1610 in the Douay Rheims Version. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 269)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
See also Woe to us!
The now commonly-used English idiom “O ye of little faith” (as an often humorous rebuke of someone who has expressed doubt) was first coined in 1382 in the English translation by John Wycliffe (in the spelling you of litel feith). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 290)
In German, the term Kleingläubiger (literally “one of little faith”), which today is primarily used to refer to someone with a lot of doubt, was made popular in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Zetzsche)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here, for idioms or terms in German, see here.