Crystal, David. Begat: The King James Bible and the English Language. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2010.
The now commonly-used English idiom “know for a certainty” (for something that is known without a doubt) was first coined in 1611 in the King James Version/Authorized Version (spelled as know for a certainety) in Joshua 23:13. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 263)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “put the words in one’s mouth” (meaning a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others) was first coined in 1395 in the English translation by John Wycliffe (in the spelling puttide the wordis in hir mouth). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 279)
In Russian, this phrase (вложил в уста ее (vlozhil v usta yeye) is also widely used in many variations as an idiom in every-day life. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 92)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “fight the good fight” (meaning to act in a way that is virtuous or honorable) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling fyght ye good fyght). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 286)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “eat, drink, and be merry” (meaning enjoy yourselves and also not to give any thought to the future, because life is short) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 277)
In Russian, this phrase (ешь, пей и веселись / yesh’, pey i veselis’) is also widely-used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 41)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “how are the mighty fallen” (for the decline of someone or something that used to be very successful, powerful, and important) was first coined in 1611 in the King James Version/Authorized Version (spelled as how are the mightie fallen) in 2 Samuel 1:19. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 263)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The Greek that is translated as “two-edged sword” in English is translated in Alekano as “like a knife that is sharp at its mouth and its back” (source: Larson 1998, p. 170) and in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) as “the sharpest knife.”
The now commonly-used English idiom “two-edged sword” (meaning something that offers both a good and bad consequence) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 279)
Other languages that use this phrase idiomatically, include:
See also sword.