The now commonly-used English idiom “eye for an eye” (meaning revenge or retribution) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 285)
Likewise in Mandarin Chinese, the phrasing that was coined to translate “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” — yǐyǎn huányǎn, yǐyá huányá (以眼还眼，以牙还牙 / 以眼還眼，以牙還牙) — has also become a Chinese proverb (see here ).
Other languages that have idioms based on the Hebrew that is translated “an eye for an eye” in English include:
In Alekano it is translated as “if someone gouges out your eye, gouge out his eye,” since in that language body parts need to have an obligatory possessive designator attached. (Source: Larson 1998, p. 42)
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).
The now commonly-used English idiom “be of good cheer” (be happy) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 275)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
In Low German it is translated as Kopp hoch, lit. “hold your head up high” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1933, republ. 2006).
The now commonly-used English idiom “fell flat on his face” (meaning to make an embarrassing mistake) was first coined in 1530 in the English Pentateuch translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling fell flatt on his face). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 278)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “a man after one’s own heart” (for a man with similar tastes and preferences to oneself) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 273)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “fallen from grace” (meaning to fall out of favor, often due a tarnished reputation) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 286)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “fall by the wayside” (meaning failing or falling behind at something) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 276)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “fire and brimstone” (meaning fiery rhetoric or the threat of hell) was first coined in 1535 in the English translation by Miles Coverdale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 300)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
